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Neos Networks provides SIS LIVE with high capacity connectivity solution to enable seamless live television coverage

  • Neos Networks

Relationship helps SIS LIVE grow from 80 live venue broadcast contracts to 150 in just three years

LONDON, UK, 27 November, 2018 Neos Networks, one of the UK’s leading connectivity suppliers, and part of SSE Group, today announces that a three-year partnership with critical broadcast connectivity provider SIS LIVE, now part of the NEP Worldwide Network, has helped support its acceleration as one of the fastest growing broadcast providers of critical fibre services. SIS LIVE, which will rebrand as “NEP Connect,” utilises Neos Networks’ expansive network and industry expertise to implement an aggressive expansion plan, growing their number of connected broadcast venues by over 85 percent.

With connectivity services now available across 150 venues, which include all Premiership football stadiums, racecourses, studios and broadcasters, SIS LIVE is able to provide a fully managed broadcast network service which can be configured each day, to suit each broadcasters’ specific needs. In fact, their specialised broadcast network equipment is embedded within Neos Networks’ core network which allows the broadcaster’s services to be truly managed end to end.

Together, the SIS LIVE and Neos Networks partnership enables the transmission of over 100,000 hours of live television footage each year – placing SIS LIVE as one of the biggest broadcast service companies in the UK. Peak points occur every weekend when British and international sports broadcasters rely on the brand to transmit uninterrupted visual data through the use of fibre and satellites. Major international sporting events such as test cricket, Premiership football and the FA Cup are all supported by this network.

It was Neos Networks’ consultative approach that drew SIS LIVE to partner with them. Unlike other telecoms operators, Neos Networks understood the operational urgency and strict timescales in which SIS LIVE must adhere to, in order to supply their broadcast customers with reliable connectivity services. In fact, at the time of partnering, multiple broadcasters relied on SIS LIVE to deliver their critical services.

The company has since gone on to support some of the UK’s most-watched feeds including 2018’s Royal Wedding, the FA Cup, and the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Supporting SIS LIVE’s core network and high bandwidth requirements further, Neos Networks recently announced an exciting two-year roll-out programme which will see them unbundle an additional 177 BT exchanges, extending their network reach to a further 180,000 UK business postcodes at even higher capacities of up to 100Gbps.

Colin Sempill, MD, Neos Networks said: “Neos Networks views every customer individually. A business such as SIS LIVE has very specific requirements around latency and capacity when supporting the delivery of live television. We understand the pressures and unique needs they have, and work in tandem with their project teams to be entirely transparent from start to finish. We see SIS LIVE as a partner with whom we’re building a lasting relationship to ensure sustained growth and prosperity for both parties.”

David Meynell, MD, SIS LIVE said: “Neos Networks has become our primary connectivity provider. They’re flexible and understand what we’re trying to do. It’s a transparent organisation with expertise that helps us take advantage of new technologies and maintain control of our network to ensure continued growth. We’re looking forward to continued momentum as our partnership goes from strength to strength.”

“Neos Networks views every customer individually. A business such as SIS LIVE has very specific requirements around latency and capacity when supporting the delivery of live television. We understand the pressures and unique needs they have, and work in tandem with their project teams to be entirely transparent from start to finish. We see SIS LIVE as a partner with whom we’re building a lasting relationship to ensure sustained growth and prosperity for both parties.”

Colin Sempill, Managing Director of Neos Networks

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Neos Networks, Three UK and Telefónica UK (O2) have agreed to support further fibre rollout in London

  • Neos Networks

Neos Networks’ high-capacity fibre ring in central London will link to Three UK and O2’s cell sites using London’s sewer system

LONDON, UK, 28 September 2018 Neos Networks, one of the UK’s leading connectivity suppliers, and part of SSE Group, has today announced details of a fibre agreement with Three UK and O2 that will form the basis of enhanced fibre access in the country’s capital. The partnership centres around the use of Neos Networks’ fibre ring – where a proportion of the network is located in the Thames Water waste water network – to significantly enhance Three UK and O2’s connectivity backhaul capabilities and pave the way for further 4G and 5G deployment by connecting cell sites and masts.

A need for new fibre

The speed, consistency and ubiquity of 5G is expected to revolutionise consumer services, allowing for near-instant downloads of HD films, while underpinning next-generation technology enhancements such as connected cars, smart medical devices and smart cities. To make 5G a reality, deep, robust aggregation of fronthaul and backhaul access is necessary in order to provide greater resiliency, increase capacity and reduce latency.

The key requirement ahead of the launch of commercial 5G services is high capacity fibre connectivity, which must provide fast, reliable and secure backhaul to core networks, in order to be able to cope with the expected massive increase in data usage: according to Ofcom, UK data usage is set to grow thirteen-fold between 2017 and 2025.

Next generation mobile services are expected to begin in the UK in the second half of 2019 when the first 5G capable devices are released by manufacturers.

Why sewers could be the key to 5G

Following a deal struck in 2017, Neos Networks is licensed to lay fibre optic cables throughout Thames Water’s waste water network. Following the need for more pervasive networks, Neos Networks has sought new, innovative routes to create new fibre networks in key locations at a lower cost and with faster deployment times than traditional digs.

The agreement with Three UK and O2 will see approximately 100 points of connectivity exit from this central London sewer network via two BT Exchanges. By partnering with Neos Networks, Three UK and O2 can operate their own Central London Area (CLA) network, while also accessing spare fibre ducts for future initiatives in London.

“Networks will fundamentally underpin the UK’s digital economy and will be essential to 5G services” said Colin Sempill, Managing Director of Neos Networks. “With this high capacity core in the London sewers, Three UK and O2 are tapping into our unique, diverse connectivity and putting their networks in a strong position to trial 5G offerings, while enhancing existing services for their customers.”

Dave Dyson, Chief Executive Officer of Three UK added, “New and innovative models are essential to improving the customer experience of mobile networks by increasing the availability of dark fibre for mobile backhaul and driving competition in the market. Our partnership with Neos Networks and O2 is one of the first examples of using existing infrastructure to improve connectivity in an urban area.”

Brendan O’Reilly, Chief Technology Officer of O2 shared: “This kind of agreement is essential to allow for continued investment and improvement of services for our customers. This partnership is a great example of Neos Networks, Three UK and O2 coming together in a collaborative and innovative way to address the growing challenge and pressure of obtaining access to fibre for mobile backhaul in the UK”

“Networks will fundamentally underpin the UK’s digital economy and will be essential to 5G services. With this high capacity core in the London sewers, Three UK and O2 are tapping into our unique, diverse connectivity and putting their networks in a strong position to trial 5G offerings, while enhancing existing services for their customers.”

Colin Sempill, Managing Director of Neos Networks

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Neos Networks to unbundle 177 BT exchanges to enhance UK business connectivity

  • Neos Networks

Three UK will be first to use the enhanced network to underpin its 5G ambitions, while the project will bring over 180,000 new UK business postcodes into play for Neos Networks

LONDON, UK, 09 July 2018 Neos Networks, one of the UK’s leading connectivity suppliers, and part of SSE Group, has today announced details of a major project to unbundle 177 BT exchanges, to meet the significant demand for high-capacity fibre connectivity amongst UK businesses. The project, which will be rolled out over the next two years, is due to double Neos Networks’ network reach by unlocking a further 180,000 business postcodes across the UK, as the company cements its commitment to the UK’s digital ambitions.

The roll-out is a significant investment in its own network by Neos Networks, with customers, prospects, MNOs – such as Three UK – and service providers all set to benefit from the enhanced network footprint.

By unbundling the exchanges, Neos Networks will effectively futureproof its offering with a network capable of delivering 100Gbps services. With this high capacity core network and backhaul provided by Neos Networks businesses will be better-placed to utilise fibre-to-the-premise and broadband services not currently feasible in the UK, which is amongst the worst in Europe for broadband speeds. The unbundling project places Neos Networks as one of only a handful of dedicated UK connectivity providers seeking to assist the government’s aim of “encouraging the market towards ubiquitous ultrafast services” through its own investment.

“We have always placed great pride in our network and ensuring that it is in the best possible shape to serve our customers both now and in the future,” said Colin Sempill, Managing Director of Neos Networks. “Legacy networks are coming under more strain as the demands placed on them potentially outweigh their capabilities. This rollout will guarantee 100Gbps services, putting the UK on the front foot to be a pioneering digital economy and making use of new technologies like 5G. Networks will underpin the connected society that many anticipate with 5G.”

Three UK has signed a deal with Neos Networks to use the connectivity from the 177 unbundled exchanges, following the recent announcement that Neos Networks is supporting its network expansion goals, including the anticipated rollout of 5G.

A key component for the launch of 5G services is high capacity fibre connectivity, which must provide reliable ultrafast backhaul to the core networks and masts. This will in turn need to increase ten-fold as the UK prepares for 5G. It will be substantially different than current 4G technology – potentially a thousand times faster – and will operate on significantly higher frequency with much larger bandwidths. Neos Networks has been selected by Three UK to deliver the required high capacity fibre connectivity between Three UK’s core data centres and the BT exchanges as it prepares for a 5G network rollout and improving 4G services. Three UK’s use of the 177 exchanges is the first of several potential unbundling phases.

“We’re dedicated to investing in our network to deliver the services our consumers want,” said Bryn Jones, Chief Technology Officer at Three UK. “High capacity networks will be the foundation on which 5G is built. We’re partnering with Neos Networks as their commitment to our requirements and the UK’s digital economy were clear from the outset.”

In unbundling the exchanges, Neos Networks is expanding the reach available to UK businesses and service providers, while ensuring greater reliability of performance at a more competitive price point, as there will be less reliance on incumbents. Batches of the new exchanges will be released over a two-year period and will eventually be available to quote and order via Neos Networks’ online price comparison engine, LIVEQUOTE.

“We’re dedicated to investing in our network to deliver the services our consumers want, high capacity networks will be the foundation on which 5G is built. We’re partnering with Neos Networks as their commitment to our requirements and the UK’s digital economy were clear from the outset.”

Bryn Jones, CTO of Three UK

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Neos Networks implements Infinera platform to deliver ‘dark fibre-like network’ across the UK

  • Neos Networks

Significant network connectivity deal extends reach to 96% of UK business postcodes.

London, UK, 16 May 2018 Neos Networks, one of the UK’s leading connectivity providers, and part of SSE Group, today announced a connectivity partnership with Sky Business, to deliver new high-capacity Ethernet connectivity solutions to businesses across the UK. The agreement sees an expanded reach in footprint for Neos Networks, enabling them to access 96% of the UK’s business postcodes.

The partnership comes after a strong period of investment and growth for Neos Networks – with Ethernet orders up 186% since 2015 – and will result in Neos Networks and Sky working together to deliver high-capacity, cost effective Ethernet to businesses up and down the country. The move by Neos Networks to partner with Sky comes in response to market shifts which have encouraged the connectivity provider to seek more creative ways of providing reach and reliability to its customer base.

The partnership combines Sky’s nationwide telecoms and data network with Neos Networks’ expansive network to reach in excess of 3,000 exchanges. Sky provides Neos Networks with backhaul and last-mile services enabling their 200+ service provider customers to benefit from more choice and a wider reaching capability. The solution offers a highly resilient network, which includes automatic re-routing of traffic to avoid disruption.

With recent reports citing that private interconnection bandwidth is likely to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 45% to hit 5,000TBps by 2020, (far outpacing that of public internet) both businesses anticipate that UK enterprises will increasingly look to secure competitive deals to support this demand. The partnership connects Sky with Neos Networks’ strong channel partner network, providing breadth of coverage across the UK business market while promising high-speed resilient Ethernet connectivity.

The service will also utilise Neos Networks’ dedicated support team. This is a significant value-add for UK businesses, as both Neos Networks and Sky are known for their industry-leading customer service and rapid delivery timescales.

In fact, Neos Networks recently celebrated a maintained NPS score of +50%.

David Rey, Managing Director of Sky Business said: “We’re excited to be partnering with Neos Networks who, like Sky, take customer experience very seriously. We wanted a partner who could deliver service excellence whilst leveraging the network Sky has proudly built. By joining forces, we are helping UK businesses to realise their potential as the need for bandwidth grows”.

Colin Sempill, Managing Director, Neos Networks explains: “Over the next few years UK businesses will demand better core network bandwidth, and our partnership with Sky directly addresses that need. For us it’s all about giving the wholesale market clarity of choice, where it can sometimes be confusing, and the quality is not always there. With this deal we’re providing one place for businesses to source a truly market-competitive price for high-capacity bandwidth services to support their growth needs.”

Find out more about why we decided to partner with Sky and where their 3000+ Sky PoPs are located here.

“We’re excited to be partnering with Neos Networks who, like Sky, take customer experience very seriously. We wanted a partner who could deliver service excellence whilst leveraging the network Sky has proudly built. By joining forces, we are helping UK businesses to realise their potential as the need for bandwidth grows.”

David Rey, Managing Director of Sky Business

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Sky expands wholesale connectivity offering by partnering with Neos Networks

  • Neos Networks

Significant network connectivity deal extends reach to 96% of UK business postcodes.

London, UK, 16 May 2018 Neos Networks, one of the UK’s leading connectivity providers, and part of SSE Group, today announced a connectivity partnership with Sky Business, to deliver new high-capacity Ethernet connectivity solutions to businesses across the UK. The agreement sees an expanded reach in footprint for Neos Networks, enabling them to access 96% of the UK’s business postcodes.

The partnership comes after a strong period of investment and growth for Neos Networks – with Ethernet orders up 186% since 2015 – and will result in Neos Networks and Sky working together to deliver high-capacity, cost effective Ethernet to businesses up and down the country. The move by Neos Networks to partner with Sky comes in response to market shifts which have encouraged the connectivity provider to seek more creative ways of providing reach and reliability to its customer base.

The partnership combines Sky’s nationwide telecoms and data network with Neos Networks’ expansive network to reach in excess of 3,000 exchanges. Sky provides Neos Networks with backhaul and last-mile services enabling their 200+ service provider customers to benefit from more choice and a wider reaching capability. The solution offers a highly resilient network, which includes automatic re-routing of traffic to avoid disruption.

With recent reports citing that private interconnection bandwidth is likely to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 45% to hit 5,000TBps by 2020, (far outpacing that of public internet) both businesses anticipate that UK enterprises will increasingly look to secure competitive deals to support this demand. The partnership connects Sky with Neos Networks’ strong channel partner network, providing breadth of coverage across the UK business market while promising high-speed resilient Ethernet connectivity.

The service will also utilise Neos Networks’ dedicated support team. This is a significant value-add for UK businesses, as both Neos Networks and Sky are known for their industry-leading customer service and rapid delivery timescales.

In fact, Neos Networks recently celebrated a maintained NPS score of +50%.

David Rey, Managing Director of Sky Business said: “We’re excited to be partnering with Neos Networks who, like Sky, take customer experience very seriously. We wanted a partner who could deliver service excellence whilst leveraging the network Sky has proudly built. By joining forces, we are helping UK businesses to realise their potential as the need for bandwidth grows”.

Colin Sempill, Managing Director, Neos Networks explains: “Over the next few years UK businesses will demand better core network bandwidth, and our partnership with Sky directly addresses that need. For us it’s all about giving the wholesale market clarity of choice, where it can sometimes be confusing, and the quality is not always there. With this deal we’re providing one place for businesses to source a truly market-competitive price for high-capacity bandwidth services to support their growth needs.”

Find out more about why we decided to partner with Sky and where their 3000+ Sky PoPs are located here.

“We’re excited to be partnering with Neos Networks who, like Sky, take customer experience very seriously. We wanted a partner who could deliver service excellence whilst leveraging the network Sky has proudly built. By joining forces, we are helping UK businesses to realise their potential as the need for bandwidth grows.”

David Rey, Managing Director of Sky Business

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Neos Networks signs deal to support Three UK’s network ambitions

  • Neos Networks

Initial agreement will bring 20 of Three UK’s core data centres ‘on-net’ for 5G preparation, cementing Three UK and Neos Networks’ commitment to the UK’s digital economy as leading connectivity providers

London, UK, 1 May 2018 Neos Networks, one of the UK’s leading connectivity suppliers, and part of SSE Group, has today announced a major contract agreement with Three UK, which will see the two companies working together to support the mobile network’s growth and expansion goals. In the first phase of the partnership, which commenced in April 2018, Neos Networks has begun facilitating fibre optic connections for Three UK’s 20 core data centres, which form part of its broader network footprint. The deal is expected to support Three UK’s network transformation, preparing it for an eventual 5G rollout and helping to deliver an enhanced 4G network experience for consumers.

The data centre connection contract is part of a multi-million pound phased agreement that will also see Neos Networks and Three UK unbundle BT exchanges in the coming years. Three UK has recently reported adding 900,000 new customers in 2017, with its 10 million customers averaging 6.8GB data usage per month – more than three times the mobile data consumption of the average UK user. As such, Three UK is investing in its next generation network to prepare for ever increasing consumer demands and the future growth of its business, including the rollout of 5G, as more pressure and demand is placed on existing infrastructure.

The deal also demonstrates Neos Networks’ ongoing commitment to bringing strategically placed commercial data centres onto its network, as well as playing a part in improving UK connectivity. Neos Networks is one of a handful of dedicated UK connectivity providers seeking to assist the government’s aim of “encouraging the market towards ubiquitous ultrafast services”, as well as improving the connectivity options of its current and future customer base.

“Our continued investment has made us the go-to network provider to help UK businesses unlock their growth potential,” said Colin Sempill, Managing Director of Neos Networks. “As a connectivity provider, we understand how integral network infrastructure is to allow technologies like 5G to reach their vast potential. We’re excited at the opportunity to assist Three UK in its journey to bring unrivalled experiences to its customers while offering new connection options to our own.”

“We are putting our network on the best footing possible to meet the current and future demands of consumers. Our customers use up to 3.5 times more data than the rest of the UK, a demand which is only going to increase as we move towards a 5G world,” said Bryn Jones, Chief Technology Officer at Three UK. “The decision to select Neos Networks to assist us on this journey was straightforward. Their knowledge and ambitions for UK connectivity were clear and made them the natural choice.”

Industry estimates suggest next generation mobile services are expected to be available in 2020.

“We are putting our network on the best footing possible to meet the current and future demands of consumers. Our customers use up to 3.5 times more data than the rest of the UK, a demand which is only going to increase as we move towards a 5G world. The decision to select Neos Networks to assist us on this journey was straightforward. Their knowledge and ambitions for UK connectivity were clear and made them the natural choice.”

Bryn Jones, CTO at Three UK

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Neos Networks counters DFA ruling with innovative ‘fibre in the sewers’ Thames Water partnership

  • Neos Networks

The agreement will allow networks to be created up to 10 times faster; more directly and securely, in key business areas such as the City of London using the waste water network.

London, UK, 14 November 2017 Neos Networks, one of the UK’s leading connectivity suppliers, and part of SSE plc – today announced that it has signed an ‘operating licence to deploy’ agreement with Thames Water, enabling the distribution of Neos Networks’ fibre optic cables throughout Thames Water’s waste water network. The deal comes as Neos Networks seeks new, innovative routes to expand its footprint.

A consequence of the recent Dark Fibre Access (DFA) ruling – that rival providers will not be able to access BT Openreach’s existing fibre optic cables to increase competition and end user services – has meant that Neos Networks has sought new and creative ways to enable connectivity.

Tapping into waste water networks

Traditionally, telecoms networks have been created and expanded through civil construction ‘digs’, that involve laying cables just below the surface – a costly, time-intensive and disruptive way of establishing new connections. By utilising Thames Water’s already existing waste water system, Neos Networks will be able to reduce network deployment costs by 60% and deploy connectivity services up to 10 times faster than through traditional digs.

Through the partnership, Neos Networks will be able to establish a more physically secure network. Thames Water’s network sits as deep as 10 metres underground, making it much less susceptible to tampering or inadvertent outages, compared to conventional digs, in which telecommunications cable is laid as shallow as 12 inches below ground level. Laying fibre services deeper below the surface ensures the network is less vulnerable to accidental fibre breaks.

As utility companies, with common values of security and reliability, the partnership also underpins Neos Networks and Thames Water’s aim to deliver excellent customer services.

“Businesses fundamentally rely on their network to underpin everyday operations,” said Mike Magee, Director of Service Solutions at Neos Networks. “With an ever-increasing demand for connectivity, network infrastructures require higher resiliency and improved diversity. Estimates suggest there are as many as 3,000 enterprises in the finance and insurance sectors in the City of London area alone, each vying for connectivity. This has made the demand for unique, truly diverse network routes hard to achieve. We’ve identified a way to solve this by leveraging the waste water network”.

Unique routing and a bespoke offering

The geographic spread of Thames Water’s waste water network means that Neos Networks is well-positioned to offer bespoke, customer-driven network build-outs to leading risk-averse businesses in London and further afield.

“With the sensitive information that large businesses and financial services firms hold, coupled with regulatory pressures, networks must be secure and robust. But it shouldn’t be forgotten that network deployment is about competitive advantage – being able to provide a guaranteed, instant customer experience is no longer a ‘nice to have’. As technology changes and new innovations are released, it is essential that networks can cope with increased capacity requirements and have the ability to easily scale their connectivity services to meet this need. Our ‘operating licence to deploy’ with Thames Water allows us to be one of few to genuinely fit the sector’s needs” said Magee.

The deal also allows Thames Water to utilise its existing infrastructure without any disruption to general operations, while meeting EU and UK guidelines and helping to support the UK’s digital strategy. A section of the European Commission’s Digital Single Market Directive on access to existing physical infrastructure recommends that making use of all relevant and available physical infrastructure for the roll-out of communication networks will enhance efficiencies, minimise costs and accelerate the deployment of connectivity.

“Our Victorian sewers are already home to a number of pipes and cables belonging to other utility companies and we’re glad to also now be supporting Neos Networks,” said Richard Hill, Head of Property, Thames Water. “Reducing roadworks and traffic congestion is something hugely important to us, so it’s great to help a fellow utility company do the same by allowing them to make use of our existing infrastructure.”

In recent years, Neos Networks has made significant investment in its UK-wide network. This ensures that the company is strategically placed to connect both densely populated and remote sites. Neos Networks recently announced the third phase of its network expansion programme, Project Edge, which brings the total number of exchanges served by its national fibre network to 140, with 300,000 prime business postcodes served.

“Businesses fundamentally rely on their network to underpin everyday operations. With an ever-increasing demand for connectivity, network infrastructures require higher resiliency and improved diversity. Estimates suggest there are as many as 3,000 enterprises in the finance and insurance sectors in the City of London area alone, each vying for connectivity. This has made the demand for unique, truly diverse network routes hard to achieve. We’ve identified a way to solve this by leveraging the waste water network.”

Mike Magee, Director of Service Solutions at Neos Networks

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Neos Networks selected to help deliver hyperfast, 1Gbps connectivity to £800 million Aberdeen development to make it ‘the most connected community in Scotland’

  • Neos Networks

Grain chooses Neos Networks to create fibre-to-the-home network for Aberdeen’s Countesswells development

London, UK, 10 October 2017 Neos Networks, one of the UK’s leading connectivity suppliers, and part of SSE Group, today announced that it has won a competitive tender from advanced fibre broadband specialists Grain to deliver network connectivity to Countesswells, a new £800 million development in Aberdeen.

Countesswells will become home to a new community of residents, schools and businesses five miles outside of Aberdeen. The development represents a significant investment in new housing, job prospects and infrastructure to support the local economy. When completed, the new community will comprise 3,000 homes, two primary schools and an academy, community facilities, shops, offices, playparks and civic spaces all set within landscaped parkland and the existing woodland.

Connectivity takes centre stage

Connectivity is set to be key to the appeal of Countesswells, after developer Stewart Milne Group identified the need for a state-of-the-art gigabit fibre network, in light of recent property developments that have been plagued with insufficient broadband connections. Connectivity in the north-east of Scotland is also high on the UK Government agenda, with the recent news that Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire councils will each receive around £10m to test innovative ways of connecting offices and public sector buildings with the next generation of broadband.

To deliver the planned hyperfast connectivity – which will measure at up to 35 times faster than the average UK download speed – Grain needed a network partner that had a national fibre backbone that could support these high speeds, while offering uncontended connectivity. Seamless connectivity will become increasingly important as the average number of connected devices per family household rises to 50 by 2022, with more strain put on domestic broadband connections.

Neos Networks’ ever-expanding network and previous experience assured Grain that it had selected the right partner to meet immediate and long-term objectives.

“Neos Networks’ reputation for reliability and service delivery were important factors in our decision, but equally important was its expansive network reach,” said Rich Robinson, Managing Director, Grain. “We are thrilled to be able to offer Countesswells residents access to the country’s latest and most advanced communications technology. Together with Neos Networks we are establishing a true fibre community network to Countesswells, delivering direct connections from the internet to the router in each property, ensuring absolutely no congestion is experienced at peak times.”

Mike Magee, Director of Service Solutions at Neos Networks, said: “As the development progresses over the next 15 years, the fibre network will be available for all new residents as they move into their homes, ensuring they benefit from hyperfast broadband and a crystal-clear fibre connection from day one. We’re glad to be able to use our expertise and growing network to work with Grain to offer cutting-edge connectivity.”

The new Countesswells community is starting to take shape: with the major new infrastructure well underway, extensive tree planting and landscaping undertaken and 100 of the new homes already built and new residents moving in.

Allan McGregor, Project Director, Countesswells, said: “As part of our vision to make Countesswells the most connected community in Scotland, we made the decision to install the best fibre network at the outset. To achieve this, it’s important that we partnered with the best providers, and Grain and Neos Networks have given us confidence and assurance from the beginning. From the day they move in, residents will have a guaranteed high-speed connection.”

In recent years, Neos Networks has made significant investment in its UK-wide network. This ensures that the company is strategically placed to connect remote sites. Neos Networks recently announced the third phase of its network expansion programme, Project Edge, which brings the total number of exchanges served by its national fibre network to 140, with 300,000 prime business postcodes served.

“Neos Networks’ reputation for reliability and service delivery were important factors in our decision, but equally important was its expansive network reach.”

Rich Robinson, Managing Director at Grain

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CAS(T) certification marks government-grade excellence in security for Neos Networks

  • Neos Networks

Neos Networks awarded CAS(T) certification for its layer one optical and layer two Ethernet network services.

London, UK, 12 September 2017 Neos Networks, one of the UK’s leading connectivity and business telecoms suppliers, and part of SSE plc – today announced it has been certified by KPMG and the National Cyber Security Centre to the CAS(T) UK Government standard for telecommunications companies for its layer one Optical Wavelength and layer two Ethernet network services. CAS(T) provides assurance to customers that their systems and services are adequately protected against risks to the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information classified as HM Government OFFICIAL.

A major driving force in reducing the concern of potential physical or cyber-related threats is becoming CAS(T) accredited. In winning this accolade Neos Networks assures customers in the public and private sector, as well as partner systems integrators and outsourcers, that it can deliver connectivity to the CAS(T) assured standard. This, coupled with the recent network sharing deal signed between Neos Networks and Capita, further boosts connectivity between systems integrators and service providers serving the public sector.

The CAS(T) certification – which stands for CESG (Communications Electronics Security Group) Assured Services (Telecommunications) – involves an independent assessment focused on the key security areas of: service availability, insider attack, unauthorised access to the network and physical attack. Firewalls, authorisation processes, access policies and the physical vulnerability of the network were all analysed. Once the assessment was completed, the recommendation report was submitted to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) which approved the certification.

‘Secure and available’ foundations

Neos Networks has a long heritage of going above and beyond to ensure customers are safeguarded on a much broader scale as part of its parent company, SSE Group. Clayton Tudor, Head of Network Operations at Neos Networks explains: “To put it into context, SSE Group is responsible for the management of some of the UK’s most critical infrastructures – power stations, hydro-electric dams and the like – we ensure their connectivity is undisturbed. The CAS(T) accreditation recognises the stringent measures we have put in place for our public and private sector telecoms customers.”

Tudor adds: “In addition to the regular stress testing we conduct on our own services, we have a controlled access set-up, whereby no supplier is able to gain access to the network without authorisation at the time of connection. We also have a real-time physical awareness of all assets, so we can pinpoint an issue in the unlikely event of a compromise. The Government’s Cyber Breaches Survey reported nearly half (46%) of all UK organisations suffered a cyber-security incident in the last year, with critical infrastructures like hospitals as key targets. We fully recognise the role networks play in preventing and deflecting potential threats to the network and connectivity.”

Customer support and customer excellence are also vital components of this accreditation reveals Colin Sempill, Managing Director at Neos Networks: “We’ve taken several steps to vet and ensure excellence in our own customer support services, which this CAS(T) accreditation embodies. Not only do we apply an individual NPS score to each customer service case, our transactional NPS score of 70+ places us on par with the consumer tech industries’ greatest innovators.”

“The certification is our first in the public sector space and means we will be working more closely with our systems integrator partners who sell directly to the public sector. It also marks our commitment to support the UK’s ‘Digital Strategy’ – a nationwide initiative for secure, high-capacity, reliable connectivity for business.”

“To put it into context, SSE Group is responsible for the management of some of the UK’s most critical infrastructures – power stations, hydro-electric dams and the like – we ensure their connectivity is undisturbed. The CAS(T) accreditation recognises the stringent measures we have put in place for our public and private sector Telecoms customers.”

Clayton Tudor, Head of Network Operations at Neos Networks

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Neos Networks launches Cloud Connect service, syncing businesses with leading cloud service providers

  • Neos Networks

Cloud Connect solution delivers dedicated service connecting business-critical networks to the public cloud

London, UK, 31st July 2017 Neos Networks, one of the UK’s leading connectivity suppliers, and part of SSE Group, today announced the availability of high-speed connectivity between businesses and their preferred cloud service providers (CSPs), such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure. The service, known as Cloud Connect, offers businesses a private dedicated Ethernet connection to their chosen CSP, delivered over Neos Networks’ core network. This enables the service to bypass the public internet, which can carry a range of security and performance issues.

Recently IDC reported that cloud computing spend alone is growing at four and a half times the rate of IT spend, and has been since 2009. What’s more, it’s expected to grow at better than six times the rate of IT spending from 2015 through 2020. With more businesses moving away from traditional IT models and investing in private, public or hybrid cloud models, it is essential that those investing in public cloud applications do not suffer the performance issues often associated with accessing applications via the public internet. Neos Networks’ Cloud Connect service supports a range of bandwidths and allows access to multiple CSPs from its redundant by design platform.

Cloud Connect will be available through Neos Networks’ easy-to-navigate, price comparison engine, LIVEQUOTE, which allows users to generate competitive quotes in real-time for Cloud Connect as well as dedicated Ethernet circuits using both their own network as well as that of leading third parties.

Jeff Smith, Head of Product Development at Neos Networks explains: “As a connectivity provider, we see a sizeable amount of UK businesses looking to migrate legacy services to a number of different cloud or Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) environments. We’re launching Cloud Connect in direct response to our customers’ need for reliable, high-capacity access to public cloud services. As business-critical applications become more data-heavy, businesses require more reliable, efficient and secure connections. Our Cloud Connect service enables these businesses to connect directly with the award-winning cloud service providers of their choice.”

Customer excellence promise

With Cloud Connect, Neos Networks ensures the same standard of SLA as offered on its current Ethernet network alongside year-round, in-house customer support. Neos Networks’ commitment to real-time customer service has seen it take major steps in recent years to self-assess effectiveness. This manifests in a competitive transactional NPS score of 70+, positioning it among the UK’s most prolific innovators.

“At the beginning of 2017, IDC predicted global spending on IT infrastructure for off-premises cloud deployments would experience double-digit growth. Using our solution is the missing link that promises businesses the secure connection to the public cloud services they will increasingly rely on for mission-critical applications. Not only this, but it ensures that their cloud connection is expertly provisioned for, tailored and maintained throughout its lifecycle” said Smith.

“We’re launching Cloud Connect in direct response to our customers’ need for reliable, high-capacity access to public cloud services. As business-critical applications become more data-heavy, businesses require more reliable, efficient and secure connections. Our Cloud Connect service enables these businesses to connect directly with the award-winning cloud service providers of their choice.”

Jeff Smith, Head of Product Development, Neos Networks

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Neos Networks unveils plans to extend network reach to 55,000 additional business postcodes

  • Neos Networks

Trusted network provider to unbundle 40 more BT exchanges and leverage Openreach’s newly regulated Dark Fibre Access (DFA) service in the next phase of its Project Edge network expansion plan

London, 16 May 2017 Neos Networks, the UK’s leading provider of network infrastructure services, and part of the SSE Group, today announced its intention to further extend its network footprint by ’unbundling’ an additional 40 BT exchanges in prime business areas around the UK with high performance Ethernet services.

Neos Networks has also been confirmed as one of a small number of service providers in BT Openreach’s recently announced Dark Fibre Access trial. Subject to the satisfactory outcome of this trial, Neos Networks will use the newly regulated dark fibre services to provide connectivity to the 40 new exchanges.

This will be the third phase of the network expansion programme Neos Networks dubbed Project Edge and will bring the total number of exchanges served by its national fibre optic network to 140. The total number of postcodes in prime business areas that are served by the full Edge service will now increase to more than 300,000.

The Project Edge footprint is further extended by Neos Networks’ Edge Plus service, which provides its customers with access to the Ethernet services of six other leading suppliers across the breadth of the UK.

The 40 new exchanges, as well as all of the existing Edge 1, Edge 2 and Edge Plus sites, will be available to quote and order via Neos Networks’ online price comparison engine, LIVEQUOTE.  Ethernet prices from all Project Edge sources are compared and analysed for the best value using the tool, and they are delivered in a single Neos Networks service wrap in a matter of seconds.

The 40 exchanges will be unbundled during the course of the next nine months and will be named in batches as they come on-net.

“The decision to extend our network even further demonstrates just how committed we are to supporting the connectivity ambitions of the UK business community,” said Colin Sempill, Managing Director of Neos Networks. “We understand that to function in today’s economy, businesses need reliable, high capacity connectivity in all corners of the UK. It is through detailed analysis of LIVEQUOTE data as well as ongoing dialogue with direct customers and service providers, that we have selected these additional exchanges to which we will expand our network.”

Sempill continued: “We are also excited to be part of the Openreach Dark Fibre Access (DFA) trial and believe that this marks a turning point for the UK’s digital economy. For those that are agile enough, DFA will rapidly lead to more competitive services in an ever more competitive marketplace. With our track record of providing high performance, high availability connectivity to the most demanding businesses, we’re well placed to translate the cost advantages of DFA into more affordable services designed to reach ever wider business markets.”

We understand that to function in today’s economy, businesses need reliable, high capacity connectivity in all corners of the UK. It is through detailed analysis of LIVEQUOTE data as well as ongoing dialogue with direct customers and service providers, that we have selected these additional exchanges to which we will expand our network.

Colin Sempill, Managing Director, Neos Networks

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Neos Networks continue UK-wide expansion as it brings Ark data centres' Spring Park and Iomart Glasgow on-net

  • Neos Networks


London, 25 April 2017
Neos Networks, the UK’s leading provider of network infrastructure services, and part of the SSE Group – today announced the addition of two new facilities to its expanding UK fibre network: Ark Data Centres’ Spring Park and iomart Glasgow. Both data centres benefit from diverse routes and will have access to its full range of business ethernet and optical wavelength services.

This closely follows the addition of Infinity Romford North, on the increasingly popular Infinity Romford campus to the East of London, and demonstrates Neos Networks’ ongoing commitment to bringing strategically placed commercial data centres onto its network. To date, 78 facilities have been added, as Neos Networks continues to deliver its highly cost-effective and resilient services to customers nationwide.

Ark Data Centres’ Spring Park is a 38-acre campus based in Corsham, Wiltshire. The Tier III former Ministry of Defence site caters for both commercial and public sector data centre customers, including Boeing Defence UK, UKCloud, the Ministry of Defence and the UK Ministry of Justice. Ark Data Centres delivers data centre hosting to the UK public sector through its joint venture with the Cabinet Office: Crown Hosting Data Centres, which delivers increased efficiency, improved value and transparency of data centre hosting utilisation across all of the UK public sector.

“Many of our Spring Park Data Centre public and private sector customers have considerable security requirements that necessitate fail-safe connectivity,” said Jason Liggins, CTO at Ark Data Centres. “We’re delighted that another of our facilities is now connected to Neos Networks’ expansive network, giving our customers access to its full range of ultra-reliable and secure connectivity solutions.”

iomart is the UK’s most accredited provider of managed cloud services, which it delivers from eight secure data centres linked by a private 1800km+ dark fibre network. By connecting its facility in Glasgow into Neos Networks’ services, iomart’s customers in Scotland will benefit from even greater choice when it comes to critical network connectivity. Constructed specifically for the purpose of large scale server hosting and colocation, iomart’s Glasgow data centre offers DDoS protected, enterprise-grade infrastructure for storage, backup and disaster recovery as well as public, private and hybrid cloud environments.

“Connecting our Glasgow facility to Neos Networks’ industry-leading optical networking services means iomart’s customers in Scotland will benefit from even greater choice when it comes to connectivity for their business critical services,” said Bill Strain, Chief Technology Officer at iomart. “Just like us, Neos Networks has a reputation for reliability and ongoing investment in its network, which makes a great fit for a connectivity partner.”

“By bringing another two top quality data centres on-net, we’re continuing our stated aim of pushing the boundaries of our UK-wide network, ensuring that we’re delivering highly resilient, cost-effective and high capacity connectivity to our customers, regardless of where they’re located,” said Colin Sempill, Managing Director of Neos Networks. “This continued investment has made us the go-to network provider for enterprise and service provider customers, who benefit from our suite of Internet, Carrier Ethernet and optical networking services and industry leading customer service.”

In addition to investing in its network reach, Neos Networks also remains fully committed to technical innovation.  For instance, the company is currently working on its forthcoming Network Function Virtualisation (NFV) and Software-Defined Network (SDN) based service delivery platform.

“By bringing another two top quality data centres on-net, we’re continuing our stated aim of pushing the boundaries of our UK-wide network, ensuring that we’re delivering highly resilient, cost-effective and high capacity connectivity to our customers, regardless of where they’re located.”

Colin Sempill, Managing Director, Neos Networks

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Neos Networks brings Infinity Romford North on-net as its network investment gathers pace

  • Neos Networks

With close links into Central London, Infinity Romford North becomes the 76th commercial data centre to be added to Neos Networks’ expanding network

London, UK, 31 January 2017 Neos Networks, the UK’s leading provider of network infrastructure services, and part of the SSE Group – today announced the latest data centre facility to be added to its national fibre network: Infinity Romford North, which is on the increasingly popular Infinity Romford campus to the East of London.  The new addition is part of Neos Networks’ ongoing network investment plan to on-net strategically and commercially important data centres – bringing the current total to 76 sites – in order to provide highly cost-effective and resilient Ethernet and optical wavelength services to its expanding customer base.

Infinity Romford North hosts a full range of data centre services, from rack level co-location to fully bespoke client dedicated data halls. With a number of financial services and blue chip organisations already on its books, Infinity expects to attract new enterprise clients who demand high capacity connectivity without the risk of downtime – both of which are proven signature services for Neos Networks.

High levels of customer interest have already confirmed the data centre’s popularity, with several organisations wishing to connect from Infinity Romford North to other locations across the UK.

“We’re delighted to be connected to Neos Networks’ ever expanding UK network and it’s great to see such strong early demand from customers,” said John Hall, Sales and Marketing Director at Infinity SDC.  “Our customer base already includes financial services organisations that have absolutely no tolerance for network failure, so Neos Networks is a perfect fit.  Its heritage as a trusted provider of ultra-reliable, high-capacity connectivity services is already attracting significant interest in our strategically placed facility.”

“As we continue to bring the most sought-after data centre facilities in the UK onto our network, Infinity Romford North complements our expanding UK-wide footprint, due to its proximity to the Capital and the significant investment that has been made in the development and regeneration of the surrounding area,” said Colin Sempill, Managing Director of Neos Networks. “The investment is already making us a more attractive proposition for enterprise and service provider customers because this enables us to deliver connections faster, with greater ease and at a more competitive price. In turn, Infinity Romford North’s customers now have access to our full range of Internet, Carrier Ethernet and optical networking services and can benefit from our full service wrap and ever-expanding network.”

In addition to investing in its network reach, Neos Networks also remains committed to providing the highest quality services possible. For example, its online price comparison engine, LIVEQUOTE, which compares and analyses Ethernet quotes from major UK carriers as well as Neos Networks, enables customers and partners to find and provision network services in real-time and at the most cost-effective price possible.

“As we continue to bring the most sought-after data centre facilities in the UK onto our network, Infinity Romford North complements our expanding UK-wide footprint.”

Colin Sempill, Managing Director, Neos Networks

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Ai Networks selects Neos Networks as Ethernet partner of choice

  • Neos Networks

Ai Networks‘ provide best possible pricing to their customers, following use of network service provider’s innovative LIVEQUOTE tool

London, 26 January 2017 Neos Networks, the UK’s leading provider of network infrastructure services, and part of the SSE Group – has today announced it has been selected by specialist connectivity provider Ai Networks as the firm’s Ethernet partner of choice. Ai Networks delivers dedicated internet access, MPLS, VoIP and colocation services to its customers across the UK and beyond. With increasing demand from both new and existing customers, Ai Networks needed a trusted network partner that could supply high-capacity Ethernet connections between its various data centres and customer sites.

Neos Networks’ ongoing Project Edge network expansion made it a suitable and cost-effective partner for Ai Networks. Project Edge was initially launched in order to make Neos Networks’ network more accessible for organisations like Ai Networks that operate nationwide. The Edge Plus phase ensured Neos Networks’ high-performance Ethernet services were available anywhere in the UK by interconnecting with other leading network providers. This was closely followed by the launch of Edge 2, which provided a further 50,000 prime business postcodes with easy access to the network.

While many wholesale providers rely heavily on legacy systems and infrastructure, Ai Networks found the service offered by Neos Networks to be highly flexible and user-friendly. The company took full advantage of the online quoting and ordering engine, LIVEQUOTE, which compares Ethernet quotes from major UK carriers as well as Neos Networks. This tool enabled Ai Networks to pass on the best possible prices to its own customers, therefore gaining a competitive edge.

“Neos Networks’ service has been highly responsive, making the initial order right through to delivery and implementation a smooth process,” said Mark Boost, Managing Director of Ai Networks. “We’ve also been impressed with its modern network infrastructure and LIVEQUOTE tool. Ai champions innovation, and with the use of legacy systems endemic in the telecoms industry, it’s encouraging to see Neos Networks joining us in finding innovative ways to improve the user experience.”

“We’re pleased to see that Ai Networks is so happy with the level of service it has received, from the initial order placement stage – which was conducted online via our LIVEQUOTE portal – through to delivery and implementation of multiple Ethernet connections,” said Colin Sempill, Managing Director of Neos Networks. “As we continue to expand our network footprint, we look forward to helping Ai Networks broaden its own reach as customer demand increases.”

To find out more about Ai Networks visit their website https://www.ai.co.uk.

“We’re pleased to see that Ai Networks is so happy with the level of service it has received, from the initial order placement stage – which was conducted online via our LIVEQUOTE portal – through to delivery and implementation of multiple Ethernet connections.”

Colin Sempill, Managing Director, Neos Networks

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Neos Networks connects London Stock Exchange Group’s customers

  • Neos Networks

London Stock Exchange and its customers to take advantage of Neos Networks’ ultra-resilient, low latency optical network, tailored specifically to meet the needs of the trading community

London, UK, 10 October 2016 Neos Networks, the UK’s leading provider of network infrastructure and data centre services, and part of the SSE group – today announced that it has been named an Accredited Connectivity Partner (ACP) by London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG). This agreement gives Neos Networks’ customers the ability to connect directly to London Stock Exchange – to execute some of the fastest, most reliable exchange transactions in London’s financial services market.

LSEG operates a broad range of international equity, bond and derivatives markets. It also offers a direct and dedicated connectivity service – Customer Managed Connectivity (CMC) – which allows customers to access its markets through Accredited Connectivity Partners. The addition of ACPs such as Neos Networks, means that LSEG members, non-members and independent software vendors have one more choice when selecting connectivity partners.

This latest agreement follows the construction of new network routes, both under the streets in traditional ducts, as well as far deeper underground in the waste water network.  This network infrastructure provides London Stock Exchange customers with a range of low latency, diverse routing options, using either dark fibre or managed wavelength services to London City, Docklands and Slough data centres.

The new LSEG service offers next generation optical networking gateways using “OTN” optical transport networking interfaces, offering LSEG customers the ability to connect to over 76 commercial data centres nationally with very short lead times, cost effectively, and at speeds of up to 100Gbps with multiple separately routed channels where needed.

Utilising industry leading networking technology from Ciena, service resilience and redundancy is ensured by using four dual optical networking chassis on opposite sides of the London Stock Exchange data centre, providing customers with high levels of confidence for their time critical connectivity requirements.

Nigel Harold, Head of Business Development – Technology, London Stock Exchange Group said: “Neos Networks’ network offers a valuable addition to our choice of Accredited Connectivity Partners.  We are confident that SSE’s infrastructure and experience will benefit our Customer Managed Connectivity service, meeting the needs of clients who require connections via reliable, low latency networks.”

“As an Accredited Connectivity Partner of the London Stock Exchange, and by bringing its data centre on-net, we’re offering up an unprecedented connectivity service to London Stock Exchange stakeholders – from banks to traders,” said Colin Sempill, Managing Director at Neos Networks. “In the financial services industry, it is paramount that networking partners provide reliable and fast connectivity. We live and breathe this at Neos Networks, given our years of heritage in engineering our network for some of the most risk-averse industries in the world, most notably energy providers.”

“For our data centre customers, this means they will have access to one of the most prestigious financial institutions in the world. The heartbeat of London’s banking district, it will open up the opportunity to provide best-of-breed connectivity services where speed truly equals money. What’s more, with built in flexibility and scalability we have future-proofed the network, ensuring that as the market changes, we can be as responsive to bandwidth demand as the traders are to market shifts. With that in mind, we’re looking forward to a great partnership with London Stock Exchange Group and its customers,” said Sempill.

“We are confident that SSE’s infrastructure and experience will benefit our Customer Managed Connectivity service, meeting the needs of clients who require connections via reliable, low latency networks”

Nigel Harold, Head of Business Development – Technology, London Stock Exchange Group

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