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Oxfordshire County Council enhances rural connectivity access and speeds for 192 public sites through GigaHubs project

Oxford and Oxfordshire landscape

LONDON, UK, 9th July 2025

Oxfordshire County Council is pleased to announce the successful completion of the GigaHubs project, an initiative that significantly enhances digital connectivity across the county’s rural and public service sites. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the council’s commitment to improve connectivity across the county through its Digital Infrastructure Programme.

The GigaHubs project in Oxfordshire, joint-funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the council, has connected 192 public service sites with gigabit-capable broadband. The sites include schools, GP practices, fire stations, libraries, leisure centres, community centres, and museums, including rural areas where fibre connectivity is difficult and expensive to provision. The funding from the council was sourced from income generated by the Digital Infrastructure Programme, costing the taxpayer nothing.

The project, managed by Neos Networks with subcontractors such as Openreach, Virgin Media Business, and Gigaclear, involved extensive infrastructure work, including the deployment of full fibre broadband. The improved connectivity enables public service sites to offer enhanced services, support remote working, and provide high-speed internet access to local communities. By developing a highly competitive supply chain and using the best technology for each site, Neos has enabled faster provisioning of public services at significantly reduced costs.

Significant benefits have already been observed in communities where the new infrastructure is operational. Village halls and community centres are live streaming events, meetings, clubs, and classes, to name a selection.

In addition to providing new full fibre broadband, the Digital Infrastructure Programme has funded three years of paid internet access for the 55 community centres and village halls connected through the Oxfordshire GigaHubs project. The council has ambitions to equip the community and village halls to become ‘community hubs’ offering enhanced community services, health and social care support, and reducing the need for people to travel further afield to access vital public services.

The new infrastructure will also incentivise more investment from the commercial sector in rural areas now that the targeted ‘hubs’ provide a way to connect homes and businesses nearby.

The project has allowed the migration from expensive leased line services to direct fibre internet services for council buildings. This has both improved connectivity performance while achieving a saving of £69,619.08 a year on connectivity costs for the council.

Moreover, as part of the agreement with Neos, the council secured a £20,000 social value contribution. This funding has been used to purchase 30 public computers, which have been allocated to the Oxford Westgate Library, Cowley Library, and Abingdon Library.

Craig Bower, Digital Connectivity Programme Director, stated: “The completion of the GigaHubs project marks a significant milestone in our mission to enhance digital connectivity across Oxfordshire. By providing gigabit-capable broadband to 192 public service sites, we have not only improved the quality of services offered at these locations but also stimulated further commercial investment in rural areas. This project exemplifies our commitment to digital inclusion and community development.”

Cllr Liz Leffman, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, commented: “The GigaHubs project has transformed the digital landscape of Oxfordshire, enabling schools, GP practices, libraries, and community centres to offer enhanced services to residents. The successful collaboration with Neos Networks and other industry leaders has ensured that even the most remote areas now have access to reliable, high-speed internet. This initiative supports our broader goals of reducing carbon emissions, promoting digital inclusion, and fostering community engagement.”

David Bruce, CRO, at Neos Networks said “We’re delighted to have played a pivotal role in Oxfordshire’s GigaHubs project, which has empowered schools, GP practices, libraries, and other community hubs with fast and reliable gigabit-capable broadband. The collaboration has allowed us to use our expertise and relationships to deliver real public good and support the council’s vision for a smarter, more connected Oxfordshire. This project should serve as a blueprint for other local authorities seeking to bridge the digital divide and support community development”.

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Neos Networks launches DDoS Mitigation to strengthen business-critical connectivity

New tiers of protection introduced as part of DIA service, meeting rising demand for secure, high-capacity, and cloud-connected internet services.

Meeting at a table with a forcefield

LONDON, UK, 3rd July 2025

Neos Networks, the UK’s leading provider of business connectivity, has today announced the launch of advanced Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Mitigation as an integrated feature of its Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) service.

This latest enhancement supports Neos’s growing secure networking proposition and responds directly to the demands of public sector and private businesses, for resilient, high-capacity internet access with built-in security.

Powered by Corero’s industry-leading platform, the DDoS Mitigation service uses adaptive behavioural analytics to detect and neutralise attacks in real-time. By analysing traffic patterns and drawing on telemetry across multiple geographies, it proactively identifies malicious activity, stopping threats before they can disrupt customer operations. The service is hosted directly on Neos’s core infrastructure, able to be turned on for customers in close to real-time, with no need for customer-premises hardware.

The DDoS services are offered in a tiered model that allows customers to easily add or remove features as their requirements change:

  • DDoS Mitigation – Always-on, real-time protection with auto-mitigation, weekly reports, and 24/7 monitoring for customer internet services.
  • DDoS Monitoring – Continuous traffic monitoring and monthly threat reports, with a fast upgrade path to DDoS Mitigation.
  • DDoS Standard – DDoS protected-core network included with all DIA circuits.

David Bruce, Chief Revenue Officer at Neos Networks, said: “Businesses are demanding DDoS protection as standard – they want reliable, secure internet access, without needing to invest in or manage additional on-site infrastructure. Our latest enhancements reflect this shift in how organisations can access secure and reliable connectivity. Whether it’s a direct customer looking for peace of mind, or a wholesale partner aiming to offer added value without the complexity, our tiered DDoS offering provides the flexibility and simplicity they need.”

This launch builds on Neos’s broader DIA connectivity portfolio, offering 10Gbps bandwidths with management options for fully managed and wires-only services. Neos provides a range of IP addressing options and offers robust Cloud Connect services, delivering private connectivity to many Cloud Service Providers, including AWS and Azure. All these services are quotable and orderable in minutes on LIVEQUOTE.

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Major boost for rail passengers: Say “goodbye” to mobile signal blackspots

  • Ground-breaking partnership to upgrade Britain’s telecoms infrastructure agreed between Network Rail, Neos Networks and Freshwave
  • Scheme will boost 4G/5G connectivity on trains and in stations, tackle signal blackspots in tunnels and pave the way for train performance improvements across Britain
  • Private investment into the project expected to save the taxpayer around £300m
Highspeed railway station

LONDON, UK, 26th June 2025

Project Reach, a new ground-breaking partnership between Network Rail, Neos Networks and Freshwave, will see an end to the worst signal blackspots on the major rail arteries of Britain as the companies join forces to provide the biggest upgrade to Britain’s rail telecoms infrastructure in decades, benefiting millions of rail passengers, establishing the beginnings of a new high capacity telecoms infrastructure for Great British Railways to take forward and build upon, and supporting the digital ambitions of the nation’s businesses.

Heidi Alexander, Secretary of State for Transport, said: “This partnership marks a significant step forward in improving the UK’s rail infrastructure. By enhancing connectivity and addressing signal blackspots, we are ensuring that passengers experience a more reliable and efficient service. This initiative not only benefits rail users but also supports our broader goals of economic growth and digital innovation.”

The project will initially see Neos Networks deploy 1,000km of ultrafast, high-count* fibre optic cable laid along lengths of the East Coast Main Line (the route from London King’s Cross to Newcastle), the Chiltern Main Line and part of the West Coast Main Line to Manchester (the route from London Marylebone to Birmingham and then via the West Midlands to Stafford and on to Manchester) and the Great Western Main Line (the route from London Paddington to Cardiff). There is an ambition to grow the network to beyond 5,000km in the future.

Jeremy Westlake, Network Rail’s chief financial officer, said: “I’m delighted that we have now signed this innovative deal with our partners Neos Networks and Freshwave. This investment model will deliver the necessary upgrades to our telecoms infrastructure faster whilst offering significant value-for-money for the taxpayer and stimulating wider economic benefits across the country.

“As we move towards becoming a unified railway with the formation of Great British Railways, the enhanced telecoms infrastructure will play a key role in our ambition to provide a data-driven railway of the future, delivering better connectivity and a better, more reliable train service for our passengers.”

Freshwave, working closely with the mobile network operators (MNOs), will initially deploy mobile infrastructure to tackle signal blackspots in 57 tunnels (covering almost 50km) and associated deep cuttings along the East Coast Main Line, the West Coast Main Line and the Great Western Main Line. This includes the 4km-long Chipping Sodbury tunnel near Bristol and Gasworks and Copenhagen tunnels outside King’s Cross. Freshwave, and the MNOs, will also invest in new 4G/5G infrastructure at 12** Network Rail main line stations. This is a multi-year project with the first installation of mobile infrastructure expected to begin in 2026.

The enhanced network (currently 48 count cable, moving to 432 count*) will also enable Network Rail to monitor railway assets more effectively and facilitate the rollout of new technologies that rely on better connectivity. This includes trackside sensors and CCTV applications, paving the way for a more joined-up railway with faster and more reliable train services for passengers, as well as improved safety for railway workers.

The project’s innovative commercial model brings together public and private sector investment and infrastructure. This is expected to save taxpayers around £300m while delivering substantial benefits to rail users.

Neos Networks, a leading B2B telecoms provider backed by Infracapital and SSE, will deploy high-count fibre trackside in return for commercialising spare fibre, upgrading Network Rail’s critical telecoms infrastructure to provide future capacity required to enable a suite of digitally driven railway benefits. The scheme will also create a high-performing digital connectivity backbone for businesses, providing connectivity to data centres and high-performance edge facilities, supporting the UK’s digital ambitions and driving innovation.

Lee Myall, CEO of Neos Networks, said: “Neos has a long-standing commitment to supporting Britain’s critical infrastructure, offering the most reliable and secure networks to our customers. We are thrilled to collaborate with Network Rail in modernising the UK’s infrastructure, paving the way for the country’s digital future.

“Connectivity has become the cornerstone of innovation. The increasing demand for data centre capacity and the unprecedented growth in AI-driven data demands are pushing the boundaries of existing infrastructure. Project Reach will support the upgrade of the UK’s connectivity infrastructure, creating new data superhighways that will drive the UK’s digital ambitions forward.” 

Freshwave, as UK mobile connectivity specialists, will work with the MNOs to target investment to address mobile coverage not-spots in rail tunnels and upgrade wireless infrastructure at key railway stations, enabling the MNOs to offer enhanced signal coverage for customers.

Simon Frumkin, CEO of Freshwave, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Network Rail and the mobile network operators to enhance mobile connectivity in some of the country’s busiest railway stations and main line tunnels. This will benefit millions of passengers and station staff across the UK. Investment in infrastructure is an investment in the country’s future and, as Freshwave’s Mobile Connectivity ROI Index indicated, billions of pounds could be added to the UK economy with enhanced indoor mobile connectivity.”

Greg McCall, chief networks officer at BT Group (EE), said: “The ambition to further enhance mobile connectivity across the UK’s rail network is one that we share, having invested consistently and significantly in the nation’s travel infrastructure in recent years. Only by bringing the public and private sectors together can we fully deliver upon this common goal, and so we’re excited by the potential that Project Reach’s collaborative approach brings.”

Dr Robert Joyce, director of mobile access engineering at O2, said: “Virgin Media O2 is dedicated to delivering a consistently strong experience for our customers, wherever their journeys take them. Our £700m Mobile Transformation Plan is focusing investment on parts of the network that experience the highest levels of demand and are the most critical. Railways are an important example of this and we are committed to improving the connectivity experience for the O2 customers that use them.”

Andrea Donà, chief network officer at VodafoneThree, said: “We believe the use of technologies such as 5G Standalone (5G SA) will increase productivity, reduce delays, and enable a smarter, more connected experience for those using our rail networks. Our £11bn investment to build the UK’s best network has the potential to add £5bn of economic value per year by 2030, so we understand how important national infrastructure projects of this type are, both to the wider economy and our society. We’re hugely supportive of Project Reach and look forward to seeing it progress.”

 

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Neos Networks launches rapid activation proposition, delivering optical connectivity in less than ten days

Neos slashes typical lead times for optical connectivity by weeks, helping ISPs and Altnets scale rapidly and meet demand for data-intensive applications like AI and edge connectivity.

  • Neos Networks
  • Optical ,
Rapid activation map

LONDON, UK, 8th May 2025

The UK’s leading dedicated B2B network provider, Neos Networks, has today announced the launch of its new rapid activation proposition, enabling customers to order and use high-capacity optical connectivity in just five to ten days.

The new proposition is powered by Neos’ recently re-architected network, including its first “super region” – a high-demand zone spanning London and the South East, connecting 131 exchanges and five key data centres with fully digitised, pre-provisioned infrastructure. The first step in a strategic roll-out of interconnected regions nationwide, the new capability radically shortens the lead times typically associated with optical services, which have historically been over 30 business days.

The launch is specifically designed to support ISPs, Altnets and aggregators, who often face time-sensitive pressures to scale rapidly or respond to emerging demand. Whether it’s extending backhaul for regional expansion, managing AI-driven data growth, or responding to enterprise customers’ evolving connectivity needs, the rapid activation proposition is built to support dynamic scaling needs.

Mark Charlesworth, Director of Product, Digital and Pre-Sales at Neos Networks, said: “We’ve engineered our network to reflect what the market has been calling for – faster, smarter connectivity that doesn’t rely on manual processes. Our rapid activation proposition is a direct result of listening to our customer needs and providing the high quality and reliable services they expect from Neos. But this isn’t just speed for speed’s sake, we’re building super regions that give customers instant access to the connectivity they need, where and when they need it, with the transparency and reliability to match. This is an important foundational step that will underpin further rollouts across our network.”

Although, rapid delivery is not new to the industry, Neos’ LIVEQUOTE platform shows in real-time where rapid activation is available, giving customers full transparency and control. With automated contracting, precise inventory management, and end-to-end API integration, Neos’ digital-first approach ensures not just speed, but repeatability and trust at scale.

This latest proposition is part of Neos’ broader customer-first approach, focused on reducing friction in service delivery, enhancing scalability, and supporting the UK’s digital infrastructure as connectivity becomes an increasingly important pillar of its digital ambitions.

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96% of UK Altnets are considering M&A, according to new research from Neos Networks

Research by Neos Networks explores the challenges and opportunities for Altnet growth across the UK.

Altnet connectivity

LONDON, UK, 1st May 2025

One of the UK’s foremost business connectivity providers, Neos Networks, has today announced research from 100 Senior Decision Makers at UK-based alternative network providers (Altnets). It reveals that almost all (96%) are considering M&A and partnerships with other service providers as they look for opportunities to survive and expand in the UK’s competitive broadband market.

A competitive landscape

The research, conducted by Censuswide this year, highlights some of the hurdles that many Altnets face. When asked about acquiring customers, 55% said their target customers are ‘locked into preexisting contacts’, a clear indicator of the growing competitive pressure from legacy providers. This was followed by a lack of awareness (47%), with many Altnets facing competition with up to four other providers in regions where they have networks.

Tough economic conditions are also affecting growth strategies with Altnets, with almost half (48%) of those surveyed saying that it has been difficult to access funding over the past year. High interest rates are exacerbating this challenge with 48% of Altnets citing them as the primary reason behind their struggle for funding. Regulatory constraints and strict lending criteria were also cited as significant barriers as Altnets looked to secure financing.

Altnets also face other regulatory challenges, including the knock-on impact of BT’s closure of its copper network as it transitions to full fibre. As part of this modernisation, most Altnets are now under pressure to remove equipment from BT’s exchanges, which are due to start closing in January 2027. They say it will cost them, on average, £1.4mn, according to our research.

The path forward

As Altnets look for a path forward, almost all (98%) said they expect to move beyond just offering traditional residential broadband to broaden their services and appeal. This was also cited as the number one long-term ambition for Altnets in the survey.

  • 46% say they plan to launch smart home technology
  • 43% say they will offer enterprise connectivity
  • 42% say they will launch security solutions and packages
  • 35% say will start offering multi-service solutions – i.e. TV and entertainment

55% of the Altnets we surveyed say that improving customer satisfaction is their primary goal for the next few years, beating out other, more revenue-critical operations such as increasing customer subscriptions and driving operational efficiencies.

When asked what technologies they were using to help them differentiate themselves from their competitors, the majority of respondents said they were deploying Software-Defined Networking and Network Function Virtualisation (53%). 5G Fixed Wireless Access (39%), and AI/ML enabled BSS/BSS automation also ranked highly.

Lee Myall, CEO at Neos Networks said: “Altnets have played a pivotal role in reshaping the UK’s connectivity landscape, driving the expansion of full-fibre networks and challenging established incumbents. However, the industry now stands at a crucial crossroads. Heightened competition, financial pressures, and shifting regulatory frameworks mean that Altnets must evolve rapidly to secure their long-term future.

“Our research highlights that Altnets are exploring a variety of strategies – from mergers and acquisitions to strategic partnerships and service diversification – to strengthen their market position and pave the way for sustainable growth.” 

Methodology

Neos Networks commissioned Censuswide to survey 100 Senior Decision Makers at UK-based Altnets. The survey was commissioned in January 2025. The full report can be read here.

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Neos Networks and BMC TV expand partnership to elevate live events broadcasting in the UK

Strategic collaboration ensures high-capacity, low-latency connectivity to support BMC TV’s rapid growth and increasing live broadcast demands.

LONDON, UK, 20th March 2025

One of the UK’s foremost business connectivity providers, Neos Networks, has strengthened its long-term partnership with BMC TV, a rapidly expanding independent media connectivity provider, to support the seamless delivery of live event broadcasts across the UK.

For 18 years, BMC TV has built a reputation for delivering high-quality media connectivity for major sporting and entertainment events, including the FIFA World Cup, Commonwealth Games and the Wimbledon Tennis Championships with its proprietary London Media Exchange (LMX) platform at the core of its services, BMC TV offers customers an extensive live contribution network, ensuring that high-value media content moves securely and efficiently from venue to broadcaster.

By leveraging Neos Networks’ nationwide fibre infrastructure, BMC TV is able to extend its LMX Live and LMX Connect services beyond London, reaching key venues across the UK with increased scalability and resilience. Neos Networks provides diverse fibre routes, high-performance 10Gbps and 100Gbps optical links, and dedicated low-latency circuits, helping BMC TV deliver uncompressed, high-quality video for broadcasters such as BBC, ITV, and major sports production companies.

“Our ongoing collaboration with Neos Networks is a critical component of BMC TV’s growth strategy,” said Lee Russell, Operations Director at BMC TV. “Live broadcasting presents unique challenges – there is no margin for delay or failure. Neos Networks’ infrastructure provides the reliability, flexibility, and scale we need to ensure that every live event is delivered flawlessly. Their account management team removes the complexity of network procurement, enabling us to focus on expanding our services and supporting the next generation of live content delivery.”

BMC TV has been at the forefront of the transition from satellite to fibre-based broadcasting, since its inception, responding to the growing industry demand for ultra-low latency and high-bandwidth connectivity. Live sports broadcasting, particularly for data-intensive applications such as live in-play betting and ultra-high-definition streaming, requires robust and resilient networking solutions. Neos Networks’ infrastructure plays a pivotal role in enabling BMC TV to deliver real-time, mission-critical services to venues, production companies, and betting platforms.

David Meynell, CEO of BMC TV, added, “We are experiencing exponential growth and anticipate that within the next three years, BMC TV will be the leading provider of media networks in the UK. Our partnership with Neos Networks is fundamental to achieving this vision. Their high-quality network ensures seamless connectivity, while their management of tail partners means we don’t have to, allowing us to focus on delivering best-in-class broadcasting for our customers.”

Neos Networks’ expertise in delivering dedicated, high-capacity connectivity solutions has allowed BMC TV to scale its live broadcast network, supporting recent, high-profile contracts including UK horse racing, the Super League Basketball, and major entertainment productions. The strategic partnership between the two companies ensures that customers receive best-in-class service, with fully managed network solutions tailored to their specific requirements.

“Our collaboration with BMC TV highlights the crucial role of advanced fibre infrastructure in today’s evolving media landscape,” said Lee Myall, CEO at Neos Networks. “Live broadcasting not only demands high bandwidth but also a real commitment to reliability. By providing BMC TV with a scalable, resilient network, we’re enabling them to continue their impressive growth and deliver the next generation of live media experiences.”

As the media and live events industries continue to evolve, the demand for ultra-low latency, high-bandwidth connectivity will only increase. Neos Networks and BMC TV remain committed to expanding their partnership, ensuring broadcasters and event organisers have the robust connectivity they need to deliver world-class content to audiences across the UK and beyond.

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£1.2 million project in Notts and Derbyshire set to help rural communities be better connected

  • Neos Networks
Rural community

LONDON, UK, 29th January 2025

Major plans for faster and more reliable internet speeds for communities who need it the most have moved a step closer.

Nottinghamshire County Council, which is leading a D2N2 Gigahubs project across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire have appointed telecommunication specialists Neos Networks to deliver the scheme. Neos is partnering up with Openreach and Netomnia to help with the infrastructure build.

Initial survey work has already begun with the aim of benefitting up to 28 public buildings in rural locations such as libraries, schools, doctors’ surgeries to have faster, reliable gigabit broadband.

It is expected that the full scheme will be live by Spring 2026.

The scheme is funded by the department formerly known as the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, (now the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government) thanks to an early investment as part of East Midlands Combined County Authority devolution negotiations in 2023.

Eligibility is based on the quality of the existing broadband, location and whether the public building is due to benefit from other planned commercial broadband upgrades.

Based on this criteria, sites in Nottinghamshire currently include Langar C of E Primary School, near Bingham and Queen Eleanor Primary School, Harby, near Newark, with more eligible sites due to be identified.

Meanwhile, 22 sites have been identified across Derbyshire and Derby.

Nottinghamshire County Councillor Keith Girling, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Asset Management, commented,

“We are so proud to be leading this project. This appointment is great news as having better broadband in our communities will really help those who can’t afford or access high-speed broadband at home. Whole classrooms in rural areas could be online at once with no interruptions and there will be more options to host virtual field trips, to help broaden pupils’ educational experiences.” 

David Bruce, Chief Revenue Officer at Neos Networks, said:

“We’re delighted to be supporting Nottinghamshire County Council with its project to improve access to better, faster connectivity for local communities in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. Drawing on our extensive network reach and partnerships with established market players, the build and deployment of this new infrastructure will provide councils with a cost-effective solution to offer new digital services at local sites. Much of the UK still has to deal with sub-par connectivity. This new network will ensure the availability of high-speed connectivity for citizens across urban, semi-rural and rural locations, as this project enhances digital and social inclusion across the region. We look forward to working with the county council as it promotes new social and economic opportunities for communities.”

Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Environment Councillor Carolyn Renwick said: “We’re pleased to be supporting this project to bring better, faster, broadband to our communities, particularly in rural schools, libraries, and health facilities. As broadband services evolve it’s important that we continue to keep pace to bridge the digital divide and make sure that our rural communities aren’t left behind. That’s why Government funding for this project as part of the devolution process was much-welcomed to help support residents in accessing essential online services, education, and employment opportunities.”

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LightSpeed and Neos Networks partner to expand high-speed connectivity across the Midlands and East of England

Strategic partnership delivers tailored connectivity solutions to support LightSpeed’s fibre-to-the-home and wholesale network expansion.

  • Neos Networks

LONDON, UK, 16th January 2025

High-speed broadband provider LightSpeed has joined forces with Neos Networks, one of the UK’s foremost business connectivity providers, to expand its fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) and wholesale services. This collaboration highlights LightSpeed’s commitment to delivering Gigabit broadband to underserved communities while bolstering its network infrastructure.

LightSpeed sets high standards for Ethernet performance with its existing 10Gbps XGS-PON technology, ensuring high bandwidth and capacity services are available across its network. Greater availability of these services is now being developed utilising Neos Networks’ extensive UK-wide network, providing its wholesale customers greater access and choice when purchasing connectivity.

The LightSpeed Group operates through two entities: LightSpeed Networks, which builds and manages the infrastructure for its retail and growing wholesale services, and LightSpeed Broadband, which provides Gigabit-speed connectivity directly to homes and businesses across the Midlands and East of England.

Neos Networks is providing LightSpeed with high-performance connectivity solutions, including dark fibre, 100Gbps and 10Gbps optical links, and backhaul services. This partnership enables LightSpeed Networks to expand into new regions like North Staffordshire and connect to critical data centres in London, Manchester, and Birmingham. As a result, LightSpeed can offer bespoke wholesale services and managed solutions to other service providers, delivering alternatives to incumbent providers.

Additionally, Neos Networks supports LightSpeed Broadband’s ability to deliver FTTH services to a broader customer base. By quickly and efficiently extending connectivity into new areas, LightSpeed Broadband can bolster pre-sales, street cabinet deployments, and customer sign-ups, accelerating its rollout of high-speed broadband.

This partnership represents an important step in both LightSpeed and Neos Networks’ missions to bridge the digital divide, offering gigabit broadband to communities in need and cementing their positions as key players in the UK’s connectivity markets.

“Partnering with Neos Networks allows us to bring faster, more reliable connectivity to homes and businesses in the East Midlands and beyond,” said Chris Tagg, Chief Technology and Information Officer at The LightSpeed Group. “This collaboration equips us with the flexibility and scalability to expand rapidly into new markets while staying true to our commitment to exceptional service delivery – especially in areas where traditional options like Openreach are unavailable.”

“Our collaboration with LightSpeed is a prime example of how advanced network infrastructure can support providers in reaching underserved areas,” said Lee Myall, CEO at Neos Networks. “By delivering tailored connectivity solutions, we’re enabling LightSpeed to expand their footprint and bring high-quality broadband to more communities and businesses.”

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Neos Networks expands partnership with CityFibre to boost Ethernet availability

  • Neos Networks
Connected buildings
  • The enhanced collaboration increases access to CityFibre’s national high-capacity Ethernet solutions, offering more competitive connectivity options for businesses across the UK.

LONDON, UK, 4th December 2024

Neos Networks, one of the UK’s leading business connectivity providers, has expanded its long-standing partnership with CityFibre, the UK wholesale fibre network, to increase the availability of CityFibre’s National Ethernet network by 50% on Neos Networks’ LIVEQUOTE platform, offering more competitive and scalable connectivity options for UK businesses.

CityFibre is setting high standards for Ethernet performance, including upgrading to 10Gbps XGS-PON technology, ensuring high bandwidth and capacity services are available across its national network. Greater availability of these services is now available alongside Neos Networks’ extensive UK-wide network – providing its wholesale customers greater access and choice when purchasing connectivity.

Historically, many companies requiring wholesale connectivity have faced limited options due to a few dominant suppliers, which restricted both choice and the quality of customer service for end-users. However, recent investments by alternative network providers (altnets), like CityFibre, have changed the landscape. Neos Networks is now able to collaborate with like-minded organisations that prioritise quality service, swift provisioning, and exceptional customer experience. This strategic shift enhances the overall connectivity landscape for businesses across the UK, empowering them with better choices and improved support.

David Bruce, Chief Revenue Officer at Neos Networks, said: “Neos Networks is committed to offering the most comprehensive connectivity solutions for businesses across the UK. CityFibre has helped us expand the reach of the last-mile Ethernet services we can offer to meet the growing demands of our customers. By bringing more Ethernet choice onto our LIVEQUOTE platform, we’re strengthening our ability to deliver a diverse range of high-performance, scalable connectivity solutions that are critical to UK businesses’ digital success.”

Andrew Wilson, Sales Director Wholesale at CityFibre, added, “By expanding our Ethernet network on LIVEQUOTE, we aim to make it easier for businesses to access our high-performance Ethernet network to support their digital ambitions. Our combined network footprints offer a comprehensive solution for any business that wants a viable, faster, and cheaper alternative to the incumbent solutions in the market.

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Neos Networks signs deal with Vorboss to enhance connectivity options for London businesses

  • Neos Networks
London skyline
  • The Vorboss London-focused fibre infrastructure will complement Neos Networks’ nationwide high-capacity network, delivering faster and more reliable last-mile connectivity for businesses
  • Vorboss services now available through Neos Networks’ LIVEQUOTE platform

LONDON, UK, 12th November 2024

Neos Networks, one of the UK’s leading business connectivity providers, has struck a new deal with Vorboss that will offer its customers competitive high-capacity last-mile connectivity options in London.

Neos Networks customers can now access the Vorboss network on its LIVEQUOTE platform to clearly see the prices of available services that meet their requirement. Vorboss owns and manages its own fibre network across central London, offering Neos Networks customers Ethernet services up to 10Gbps.

Together, Neos Networks and Vorboss are addressing the growing demand for affordable and reliable high-capacity connectivity in London.

Lee Myall, CEO at Neos Networks, said, “We’re excited about our collaboration with Vorboss, which builds on our long-standing commitment to delivering high-capacity, reliable connectivity across the UK. By combining our extensive nationwide network with Vorboss’ advanced London infrastructure, we’re increasing the options for businesses demanding top-tier connectivity. This deal allows us to extend our reach in the capital, providing more organisations with access to the robust, secure networks they need.”

Neos and Vorboss are contributing to the UK’s digital infrastructure goals by enhancing the country’s core network capacity and reach. In particular, Neos and Vorboss are increasing the availability of high-capacity backhaul and last-mile connections in the capital, which will help the government’s nationwide broadband coverage target.

Neos and Vorboss share a strong operational and cultural alignment, focusing on high-bandwidth services and fast lead times. Both companies prioritise sustainability, and are dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace. More than a third of Vorboss engineers are women, and the company has committed to hit 50/50 representation across the organisation by 2028.

Tim Creswick, CEO of Vorboss, added, “Enabling the London last-mile for Neos will pitch our network directly against the legacy players in London, and will show just how strong we are in performance, delivery timeframes, and value. The Neos LIVEQUOTE portal is a great tool for giving a transparent view of the services available, and we look forward to competing on that basis.”

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Neos Networks connects more than 180 Oxford public service sites as part of Oxfordshire County Council’s GigaHubs project

From local GP practices, to schools, community centres and the County Council’s own IT estate, over 180 buildings which provide a public service are now connected to full fibre connectivity.

Buildings in Oxford; Oxfordshire has plans to become a smart country, part of Critical National Infrastructure

LONDON, UK, 26 June 2024

Neos Networks, one of the UK’s leading business connectivity providers, and Oxfordshire County Council, today announced an update on the county’s ‘GigaHubs’ project. Initially announced in 2021, GigaHubs aims to enhance digital and social inclusion by providing gigabit-capable connectivity to eligible rural public sector buildings, such as schools, GP surgeries, and libraries.

Utilising its high-capacity fibre network and solutions, and aggregating local fibre networks from Openreach, Virgin Media Business and Gigaclear, Neos Networks has now provided full fibre connectivity to 180 out of 193 public buildings contracted. The initial project, delivered by the end of 2023, saw 175 GP practices, schools, libraries and community centres connected to full fibre. However once deployed, Neos was engaged to extend connectivity to a further 18 rural sites in the county that were previously only connected via copper-based services. The fibre networks are now enabling faster provisioning of public services at a fraction of the cost due to Neos’ network rationalisation of services and ability to access an extremely competitive supply chain.

This marks the first stage in a 20-year partnership between Neos and the council aiming to achieve the authority’s vision of a ‘Smart County’. Notably, the GigaHubs project is the first majority council-funded project aimed at improving the service offering available at local sites. The project has so far seen £5m investment from Oxfordshire County Council, £2m from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport’s ‘Project Gigabit’, and a further £250k from the Local Enterprise Partnership.

In addition, to aid Oxfordshire’s connectivity ambitions and mark the successful rollout of infrastructure so far, Neos Networks has also provided £20,000 to an initiative purchasing new IT equipment for the council’s public libraries. The IT equipment can be used by staff and residents, enabling the connected hubs to become key pillars of community activity.

Craig Bower, Digital Infrastructure Consultant at the council said, “Partnering with Neos has been instrumental in our journey towards a smarter Oxfordshire. By leveraging their high-capacity fibre solutions and expertise as a network aggregator, we’ve streamlined our networks and paved the way for a plethora of smart use-cases we’re currently exploring. This was by no means your typical supplier-buyer relationship and we’ve developed a deep and consultative working relationship with Neos throughout the process.”

David Bruce, CRO, at Neos Networks said, “We’re delighted to see Oxford’s GigaHubs project start to bear fruit and that residents, businesses and tourists across the county can now access fast, reliable connectivity across so many of the most important spheres of public life. Oxfordshire’s clarity of vision and commitment to enhancing connectivity for both the unconnected and industry alike should be a model for other local authorities up and down the country to follow.”

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Neos Networks appoints David Bruce as CRO and Matt Rees as CTOO, signalling a new phase of accelerated growth

David Bruce joins the company as Chief Revenue Officer, responsible for driving Neos’ evolving go-to-market strategy and ensuring customer success, whilst Matt Rees takes on the expanded Chief Technology & Operating Officer (CTOO) role.

  • Neos Networks
David Bruce and Matt Rees

LONDON, UK, 14 March 2024

Neos Networks, one of the UK’s leading connectivity providers, today announces two C-level appointments to support the company as it eyes accelerated growth in UK business connectivity market. The roles follow the appointment of Lee Myall (CEO) and Craig Forrester (CFO) in 2023, and mark the readiness of Neos to take its recently expanded, high-capacity network to market, as the evolving B2B connectivity needs of the industry continue to change at pace.

David Bruce joins the company as its Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) and brings with him over 16 years of international sales and customer success experience. Having previously held a range of senior roles with the likes of Virgin Media and Vodafone, he was most recently a member of the global executive team at the cloud-centric connectivity provider, Global Cloud Xchange, with overall responsibility for leading sales and marketing for its Wholesale, OTT and Enterprise units across Europe, US and APAC.

At Neos, David will work to ensure that customers across Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), wholesale telecoms and the public sector can all benefit from the recent expansion and upgrade of Neos’ high-capacity UK network. He will ensure that Neos’ service offerings remain relevant and competitive as their needs continue to grow.

Matt Rees, the current Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Neos Networks also sees his role expanded to Chief Technology & Operating Officer (CTOO), reflecting Neos’ commitment to taking a technology-first approach to building networks that are easier to provide and consume, easier to manage and easier to repair. The blended remit will more closely couple technology and operational excellence at Neos in the pursuit of seamless customer experience, and is a key part of how Neos will deliver on its customer strategy.

Lee Myall, Chief Executive Officer, Neos Networks, said: “Neos is proud to operate one of the UK’s leading B2B connectivity networks, and for some of the most important organisations across CNI, telecoms, research and more. As our customers continue to pursue digital transformation and begin to leverage increasingly bandwidth hungry technologies such as AI and IoT, we’re in a great position to support them.

He continued: “David brings with him a wealth of experience in business transformation and has a proven track record in positioning companies for rapid growth. Meanwhile, Matt is the ideal candidate for building out a world of ‘tech-ops’ within Neos, and has already supported the delivery of a range of products and platforms aimed at improving the end-to-end customer journey we provide.”

David Bruce, Chief Revenue Officer, Neos Networks, said: “I’m delighted to join Neos in this next phase of our growth. The company has always had an incredibly strong reputation for putting customers first and I’m keen to maintain that as we partner with them to deliver on their growing connectivity needs.

Matt Rees, Chief Technology & Operating Officer, Neos Networks, said: “The added ‘O’, for operations, in my title carries a lot of significance, and is really a recognition of the approach we’ve been taking at Neos for a number of years now. We’re ensuring our network and product strategy remains grounded in customer experience, and is responsive to changes in behaviour, preferences and new technology approaches too. To meet the growing demands of our customers in a particularly competitive market, we’ll continue to build an increasingly integrated end-to-end customer journey that is personalised, relevant and easy to consume.”

Earlier this year, Neos announced the launch of 10Gbps Managed Dedicated Internet Access, its latest fully managed solution supporting growing enterprise bandwidth needs and also 15 new updates to its LIVEQUOTE platform, which delivered a more personalised and seamless buying journey for wholesale and enterprise customers.

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Neos Networks enhances LIVEQUOTE platform with API-based ordering and ‘quantum quoting’

The update adds 15 new features that simplify the overall wholesale buying experience through increased personalisation, parity between both portal and API purchasing, and an increasingly integrated end-to-end customer journey 

  • Neos Networks

London, UK, 23 January 2024

Neos Networks one of the UK’s leading connectivity providers, today announced significant updates to its digital platform, LIVEQUOTE, and the way wholesale customers provision Neos services through integration with their own platforms. LIVEQUOTE introduces 15 new features such as real-time order and quote status, multi-quote and order baskets, chat messaging, location-based real-time availability, and enhanced personalisation, whilst the enhanced API ensures these services and functionality are also available in customer environments.

With these enhancements to the LIVEQUOTE platform, Neos Networks is improving the ease and efficiency of purchasing connectivity solutions for its wholesale customers as they race to expand connectivity across the UK. This marks a significant step toward a low-touch provisioning experience, reflecting Neos’s commitment to simplifying and streamlining its customer interactions.

The upgrade also puts a huge emphasis on personalisation and user experience. The new “quantum quoting” feature offers customers enhanced choice and precision in selecting services, with location-based quoting and dynamic ordering to streamline the process. Customers can now see locally available products using postcodes, coordinates or an interactive map, filter and sort results by products, access methods and service terms, and interrogate their options with multi-quote baskets to compare prices, perform scenario analysis and build solutions – all of which is linked directly to a multi-quote ordering system.

Mark Charlesworth, Director of Product, at Neos Networks, said: “With the updates to our LIVEQUOTE platform, we’re making it easier to do business with us across all stages – buying, delivery, and support. Our focus is on giving our customers more choices while ensuring consistent and accurate information across all transactions. This upgrade reflects our commitment to supporting our customers’ growth and transformation by delivering a better end-to-end experience, tailored to the diverse needs of both our wholesale and enterprise clients.”

In addition to enhanced API integration, the platform now offers more real-time status updates on orders and quotes. This feature aims to reduce the reliance on traditional communication channels like email and phone calls, providing customers with immediate, transparent access to their transaction information. The integration of chat messaging further enhances this, enabling real-time interactions and support directly through the platform.

The platform’s latest enhancements include bulk circuit ordering within multi-quote baskets, advanced Optical 100G and 400G quoting and ordering, as well as the introduction of higher capacity DIA services up to 10G. The introduction of dynamic ordering simplifies the process, allowing for straightforward order placement with minimal data entry. Additionally, the rollout of Customer API v6 expands capabilities for all product types, while platform reengineering means upgrading to this latest version will be seamless for most customers.

Alongside these additional features, customers also benefit from richer product options whether buying through the portal or via APIs. Wholesale buyers now have more choices beyond Ethernet including optical, Dedicated Internet Access, Cloud Connect and Access Tails.

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Neos Networks launches 10Gbps Managed Dedicated Internet Access

The latest upgrade means Neos Networks Managed DIA customers can now access higher bandwidths alongside active monitoring and management of devices and service.

  • Neos Networks

London, UK – 8 January 2024 

Neos Networks, one of the UK’s leading connectivity providers, today announced a major upgrade of its Managed Dedicated Internet Access (Managed DIA) service to provide capacities up to 10Gbps as standard. Previously available up to 1Gbps, the upgrade provides a fully managed, enterprise-grade fibre solution for UK organisations grappling with ever-increasing bandwidth demand and the need for reliable access to the internet.

The latest upgrade means Neos Networks customers across the UK can access the same bandwidths across its Wires-only DIA, and Managed DIA variants, with a clearer upgrade path. The upgrade also promises to simplify the hardware and support available for customers. Neos Networks manages both the maintenance and break/fix of the router, meaning the customer’s network or IT team can focus on other areas of their business.

Neos Networks’ extensive network infrastructure underpins the UK’s digital economy, powering the UK’s critical infrastructure, and connecting public services, telcos and enterprises of all shapes and sizes. This latest upgrade gives such organisations more flexible and scalable options to meet their unique connectivity needs. Devices are monitored and managed 24/7 by Neos, and the service is also optimised for reduced energy consumption and rack space when combined with services such as Neos Networks access tails.

The UK’s connectivity demands are continuously increasing, spurred by ongoing digital transformation and new technology like 5G, IoT and artificial intelligence. In 2020, Neos Networks launched a 10Gbps Wires-only DIA service in readiness for this increasing customer demand. This latest upgrade of Managed DIA means customers who are currently making use of a large number of 1Gbps circuits can look to scale their bandwidth as part of the same service. Neos is making this easier than ever and is poised to deliver across UK telcos, enterprises and critical and national infrastructure.

Mark Charlesworth, Director of Product, at Neos Networks, said: “Our continued investment in our business internet proposition means Neos Networks is now able to provide the same scalable bandwidth across a range of different service models throughout the UK. This provides a much-simplified upgrade path for customers with increasing bandwidth requirements, delivering the level of service they need in a flexible and scalable way”.

Through Managed DIA, Neos Networks steps closer to the customer’s environment, beyond a traditional wholesale fibre infrastructure role. This includes more proactive monitoring, and advanced analytics to support network maintenance and availability. With the impact of the loss of service only becoming more critical for organisations across the UK, Neos Networks’ MPLS core network also ensures that services via Managed DIA are highly resilient.

Neos Networks offers a Managed DIA service supported by 24/7 technical assistance, providing businesses with a broad selection of last-mile connectivity providers, along with diverse and resilient options. The strength of this service lies in Neos Networks’ extensive network coverage, which includes more than 676 high-speed Ethernet Points of Presence across the nation. This expansive reach enhances the quality of its DIA services, ensuring businesses have reliable access. Importantly, all traffic to and from a business’s network is securely transported over Neos Networks’ robust network and IP platform. This guarantees instantaneous access and a high-quality service experience, making it an ideal choice for businesses with data-intensive, real-time applications.

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Neos Networks expands its data centre estate with high profile sites added in London and Manchester

  • Neos Networks

London, UK – 17 October 2023

Neos Networks, one of the UK’s leading connectivity providers, today announced that it has added two new key UK data centres to its UK-wide fibre network, as it fast approaches reaching 100 on-net data centres. This proactive investment in the expansion of its data centre estate sees Neos connect two highly significant sites in London and Manchester, enabling more businesses to take advantage of its high capacity infrastructure.

The first site connected and now live is the Equinix MA5 data centre in Manchester which makes Neos one of the first to offer services out of that location. The second site, Telehouse South (THS), located in London Docklands and now the largest facility offered by Telehouse will come on-net in the coming months. Both data centres will be diversely connected with fibre and 100Gbps enabled, providing UK businesses with secure, reliable, high capacity connectivity services that meet their business needs.

Equinix MA5 opened in the spring of last year and occupies a key strategic location in Greater Manchester that acts as the gateway to the North. It joins 11 other Equinix data centres that Neos has on-net across its UK estate, as well as nine other sites across Manchester. MA5 boasts the highest level of security offering in the world, and it will be highly influential in the continued development of Manchester’s fast-growing technology scene. The attractive new interconnection hub also offers remote geo-redundancy for the UK’s capital.

THS is also expected to see huge demand for connectivity due to its location and support for one of the most critical interconnection points in the UK. It is in close proximity with Telehouse North and Telehouse North Two, where Neos experiences some of its highest demand for connectivity services.

“We continue to invest in our data centre offering, expanding the reach of our network to bring critical, core connectivity to more UK businesses. And these two new locations will be highly significant in complementing the growth of the UK’s two biggest cities,” said Matt Rees, Chief Technology Officer, Neos Networks.

“We see huge demand for high capacity services from the Telehouse sites that we’ve brought on-net to date, providing reliable, resilient and secure connectivity to help power the UK’s financial services industry in London’s Canary Wharf. And with Manchester at the heart of the UK’s digital tech scene, ensuring the availability of scalable, reliable connectivity is essential for digital services innovation and establishing the UK’s technology leadership. We know just how important the right connectivity solutions are to fostering environments where UK businesses can thrive.”

Services at these new locations will be available via the company’s LIVEQUOTE portal which provides prospective and existing customers with a quoting, ordering and price comparison service matching its own network against leading third-party offerings. Neos also provides its services to businesses directly or through its network of resellers and partners.

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