The 10-year agreement to upgrade the joint academic network (Janet), which serves around 18 million users, involves providing 4000 miles of cabling.

Mark Mathieson, SSE managing director for networks, said: "SSE Telecoms was able to provide the flexibility and responsiveness that were essential for supporting Janet as it evolves its infrastructure to meet the education community's future demands."

Jeremy Sharp, head of strategic technologies at Janet, said: "The project will ensure that the UK stays at the forefront of research and education networking globally."