New UK ISP IX Wireless Plans Faster Broadband for the Poorly Served

Lancashire-based ISP IX Wireless Limited has today hinted at their plan to deploy a new fixed wireless broadband network to reach businesses and homes across various parts of Middle and Northern England over the next few years, with Blackburn and Lancashire being first on their list.

At present we know very little about the new provider, which was only incorporated in October 2017 (here) and doesn’t yet appear to have a website (a quick Google search didn’t find one). Despite this the company has just put in a request for Code Powers from Ofcom (here), which among other things claims that they’re currently serving in the region of approximately 20,000 xDSL customers via various access networks.

Alternative network providers often seek Code Powers in order to help simplify and speed-up the planning process, not least because it can help to reduce the number of licenses needed for civil works. In this case IX Wireless states that their “business strategy includes the provision of a national radio access network, which can deliver high-speed broadband and voice services to business and residential users.”

IX Wireless’s Rollout Plan (Ofcom Doc)

The core [IX Wireless] network has three main POPs located in London, Manchester and Burnley which are all interconnected by 10Gb fiber links. The Applicant explains that the London and Manchester POPs are data centers operated by Telehouse and Equinix, and the Burnley site is operated by the group’s own data center, with its fiber links being delivered through third party Tier 1 carriers.

The Applicant intends to grow its network, with a focus on establishing network coverage to facilitate the provision of high-speed connectivity to SME businesses located in areas known to suffer from poor broadband speeds.

It’s initial roll out plan will be focused in areas such as Blackburn, Lancashire, with the view to expansion in Greater Manchester, Yorkshire, Wolverhampton and Merseyside, with a further target to establish a UK wide network within the next 5 years capable of delivering residential services and flexible business solutions.

Overlooking the fact that Ofcom appears to have switched their spell checker to American English (center and fiber), little else is known about the new ISP but we hope to find out more soon. In the meantime the regulator has recommended applying Code Powers (such applications are rarely ever rejected).