Three UK Signs Fibre Optic Network Capacity Deal with Colt

Mobile operator Three UK has today signed another fibre optic capacity deal, this time with Colt Technology Services, in order to help fuel their latest 5G and existing 4G based (mobile broadband) network. The deal will see Colt become a “preferred provider of fibre backhaul connectivity” for the operator.

The move should complement Three UK’s existing fibre optic capacity deals with companies like SSE Enterprise Telecoms and, most recently, Cityfibre (here). The latest partnership also forms part of Three’s wider £2bn+ investment to help transform their network, “giving a better customer experience [and] increasing 4G speeds by up to 150%, as well as delivering the UK’s fastest 5G network.”

Admittedly that claim of delivering the “UK’s fastest 5G network” only really holds up if it’s supported by good network coverage, as well as independent verification of such performance, and at present Three UK is still playing catch-up on that front; the extra backhaul will help.

The recent decision to ban Huawei’s 5G kit from the UK may have also hurt the operator, which had previously banked on the Chinese firm being their sole supplier for related network kit.

Susan Buttsworth, COO of Three UK, said:

“We are investing significantly to transform our entire network experience, which will support our customers who use three times more data than the average UK consumer. Fibre backhaul is a vital part of a reliable network experience and our partnership with Colt will mean better connectivity for our customers across the UK.”

Keri Gilder, CEO of Colt, said:

“Colt has been readying itself for the future of mobile connectivity. We are excited that Three UK has recognised our capability, and has named us as a strategic partner for its 5G deployments. We believe in the transformative power of connectivity, and we know 5G is going to drive businesses and societies forward, so we are thrilled that the Colt IQ Network is going to play a critical role in the 5G evolution for the UK.”

We note that Colt’s IQ Network currently connects 900+ data centres across Europe, Asia and North America’s largest business hubs, with over 29,000 on-net buildings and growing.