KCOM unveils huge banner to start 120th anniversary celebrations
‘EYE CATCHING’: Abseilers unfurling the giant KCOM anniversary banner
By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor
KCOM has unveiled a huge new banner outside its Hull headquarters to kickstart its 120th anniversary celebrations.
The giant 200sq m orange banner was unfurled into place by specialist abseilers outside KCOM’s Carr Lane offices, as the broadband provider begins a year of events to mark its founding in 1904.
Bearing a new 120 logo and the legend ‘Pioneering for generations’ – the banner now takes price of place on the city centre landmark Telephone House, which itself was opened to coincide with KCOM’s Diamond Jubilee 60th anniversary in 1964.
KCOM CEO Tim Shaw, said: “I’m delighted to be able to launch KCOM’s 120-year anniversary celebrations and this banner in our prime city centre location is certainly an eye catching way to do it.
“It’s wonderful to be part of a business with so much history and heritage that is part of the very fabric of this region, but also a company that doesn’t rest on its laurels and continues to this day to pioneer new technology and push the boundaries of what is possible to deliver the best possible service for its customers.
PIONEER: KCOM CEO Tim Shaw outside the company’s Carr Lane offices in Hull city centre
“KCOM has played a huge role in the life of this region for 120 years and will continue to do for the next 120.”
Mr Shaw added that KCOM will shortly be unveiling its charities of the year as part of its 120th anniversary as well as details of other 120th themed events taking place throughout 2024.
KCOM began life as Hull Corporation Telephone Department on November 28, 1904, when it opened its first telephone exchange in the former Trippett Street Public Baths, in Wincolmlee, Hull.
The company has continually evolved and changed with the times throughout its history and always pushed the boundaries of technology – often leading the UK and Europe in the rollout of new technology.
KCOM was the first company in Europe to launch an all-digital telephone network in 1984 and, again the first in Europe to launch a commercial ‘fast internet’ service using ADSL technology in 1998.
In 2012 KCOM led the UK once again when it started rolling out its £85m full fibre broadband network, which was completed in 2019, making Hull the most connected city in the country. Research has shown KCOM’s full fibre network has added an extra £1bn in value to the local economy since the rollout began.
The company’s award-winning network now reaches more than 300,000 homes and business across Hull, East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire. It employs around 700 mainly local people and as a major contributor to the local economy.
For more details about KCOM’s history visit www.kcom.com/about-us/history