Neos Networks Lays First Fibre Under UK Gov’s Rail Scheme Project Reach

Connectivity provider Neos Networks, which operates one of the biggest 34,000km long and 400Gbps capable business fibre optic networks in the UK – spanning 550 exchanges, 90+ data centres and 600+ Points of Presence (PoPs), has completed the first fibre installation under Project Reach to help improve 4G and 5G mobile (broadband) coverage along major rail lines.

Just to recap. The Government’s Project Reach reflects a public-private partnership that aims to deploy “ultra fast fibre optic cable” (via Neos Networks) across 1,000km of major rail lines to help “eliminate mobile signal blackspots” in tunnels on “key rail routes” up and down the country (possibly extending to 5,000km in the future).

In partnership with AmcoGiffen and Network Rail, Neos has already started to install new 432-count fibre cables along the Great Western Main Line (GWML), connecting London (England) to Cardiff (Wales). This first deployment marks the beginning of a nationwide rollout. This is said to be the “UK’s biggest core fibre network deployment in decades“, although Openreach, Virgin Media and others might well dispute that.

For this first phase of fibre deployment, more than 40 specialists worked through overnight windows under tight safety and operational controls to ensure zero disruption to passenger services. The fibre pull was thus completed on time and to the required high safety standards, setting a benchmark for the rollout programme to follow and demonstrating the efficiency of the delivery model.

Lee Myall, CEO of Neos Networks, said:

“The milestone is about more than a successful fibre pull, it’s about building the backbone for Britain’s digital future. AI, cloud and data centres may capture headlines, but they all rely on one thing: fibre. Without it, the UK’s digital ambitions simply can’t be realised. Project Reach is how we make sure the UK stays globally competitive for decades to come.”

Harriet Hepburn, Partnerships and Retail Director at Network Rail, said:

“This first milestone highlights how collaboration between the public and private sectors can deliver tangible national benefits. Project Reach is modernising Britain’s rail communications while laying the foundation for the next phase of digital growth in the UK.”

But it’s not just about boosting mobile coverage. The new infrastructure will support everything from rail operations and transport digitisation to the surging demand created by AI, cloud and data centre expansion. Network Rail’s Wales & Western region is the first in the UK to commence fibre pulls under Project Reach, although additional installations are already scheduled through to the end of the year.