LONDON, UK, 20th November 2025
Neos Networks, the UK’s leading dedicated B2B network provider, today announced the successful completion of the first fibre installation under Project Reach – a landmark programme to rewire the UK for the next decade of digital growth.
In partnership with AmcoGiffen and Network Rail, Neos has started to install new 432-count fibre cables along the Great Western Main Line, connecting London, England to Cardiff, Wales. This first deployment marks the beginning of a nationwide rollout that will see at least 1,000km of new high-grade fibre laid alongside Britain’s railways, creating a faster and more secure foundation for the country’s digital economy.
As the UK’s biggest core fibre network deployment in decades, Project Reach is designed to strengthen the UK’s connectivity from the ground up. By using the rail network as a national corridor for new fibre, Neos is taking advantage of the most direct, secure and future-proof routes available. The new infrastructure will support everything from rail operations and transport digitisation to the surging demand created by AI, cloud and data centre expansion. It’s the kind of investment that will determine how competitively Britain can perform in an increasingly data-driven world.
For this first phase of fibre deployment, more than 40 specialists worked through overnight windows under tight safety and operational controls to ensure zero disruption to passenger services. Through meticulous planning, hour-by-hour coordination and close collaboration with Network Rail, the fibre pull was completed to time and to the required high safety standards, setting a benchmark for the rollout programme and demonstrating the efficiency of the delivery model.
“The milestone is about more than a successful fibre pull, it’s about building the backbone for Britain’s digital future,” said Lee Myall, CEO of Neos Networks. “AI, cloud and data centres may capture headlines, but they all rely on one thing: fibre. Without it, the UK’s digital ambitions simply can’t be realised. Project Reach is how we make sure the UK stays globally competitive for decades to come.”
John Booth, Managing Director, AmcoGiffen, added: “This milestone marks the beginning of an ambitious programme that will strengthen the UK’s digital network for generations to come. Safe and efficient delivery in rail operations demands real expertise and precision, and our team has set the benchmark for both as we leverage our experience on Project Reach. The success of this first phase reflects the strength of our collaboration with Neos Networks and Network Rail, and the skill and commitment of everyone involved.”
Harriet Hepburn, Corporate Finance, Partnerships and Retail Director at Network Rail, added: “This first milestone highlights how collaboration between the public and private sectors can deliver tangible national benefits. Project Reach is modernising Britain’s rail communications while laying the foundation for the next phase of digital growth in the UK.”
Network Rail’s Wales & Western region is the first in the UK to commence fibre pulls under Project Reach, with additional installations scheduled through to the end of the year. By the end of the programme, Neos Networks will have laid at least 1,000km of new high-grade fibre along railway corridors nationwide, providing the scalable and secure connectivity required by the UK’s fast-growing data economy.
