20 May 2016

Managing director Gary Young says KCOM will be working to connect Hull during its City of Culture 2017.

KCOM has been named as the first private sector organisation for the Hull UK City of Culture 2017 year-long event. 

As the programme’s ‘Principal Communications Partner’, the company will initially provide a 1Gb fibre broadband connection to the Hull UKCoC offices.

It will later also enable free Wi-Fi access for outdoor events throughout the year which organisers say are expected to attract more than 20,000 people.

Hull was announced as the winner of UKCoC 2017 in 2013. The award is given every four years to a city that demonstrates municipal belief in the ‘transformational power of culture’. 

To deliver on this mandate, Hull City Council set up Hull UK City of Culture 2017 as an independent company and charitable trust, and its team is tasked with delivering 365 days of ‘transformative cultural activity’ throughout next year.

“KCOM intends to be active in this capacity by contributing its digital expertise in support of the cultural programme,” said KCOM managing director Gary Young. “We will be working with the 2017 team to promote Hull as place where digital connectivity supports artistic expression along with the cultural economy.” 

Hull UKCoC 2017 chief executive Martin Green adds that high-speed broadband connectivity has the power to stimulate creativity and innovation in the fields of culture and the arts. “A great deal of art is now created, experienced and shared digitally, so KCOM’s [involvement] will be an asset to the city and the cultural programme during 2017 and beyond.”