b'CONTRACT NEWSVirgin Media Build Evolution Project Kelly Group is proud to have worked with Virgin Media and its constituent companies since 1985. The Group was awarded the new Build Evolution contract in 2020 to support Virgin Media as oneoftheirnationalpartners,whoprovides planning, expansion, and maintenance services for their next-generation gigabit fibre network. Since then, our teams have been working on ground-breaking solutions, pioneering the way withinourindustrywithanew8mmmicro ductinfrastructure,buildingamorereliable and faster network for Virgin Media customers to enjoy. Kelly Group is proud to be the first-ever contracting company to adopt and executeUnspooling and preparing the new 8mm micro duct strawstheinstallationofthenew8mmmicroduct infrastructure serving local communities.WorksrecentlycommencedinChelmsford involving civils works, fibre splicing and network build.Withover30engineers,civilsgangs, project managers, and supervisors building a new hybrid network infrastructureC ustomers can start accessing their gigabit broadband this summer.The project started with an intrusive survey of theareacompletedbytheGroupsin-house surveyorsandplanners,whoseresponsibility wastoidentifyblockagesanddirectlyburied areas. Due to gaining access to the Openreach networkinfrastructureacrossthecountry, Virgin Media is adopting a new hybrid network model utilising the overhead and underground infrastructures combined. Our in-house team concluded a list of suggestions for Virgin Media, who then identified areas to feed with the 8mm micro duct straws and those locations which can be connected using telecoms poles and cabinets.The Networker Spring 2022 13.'