Neos Networks Expands Dark Fibre Across Lancashire UK

Neos Networks, which operates a huge 24,480km+ long fibre network via 477 related Points of Presence (PoPs) that ISPs and businesses can harness across the United Kingdom, has today announced that they’re expanding their high capacity connectivity across Lancashire in England.

The operator is currently nearing completion of its network investment programme, Project Edge, which will see the business more than double its footprint by the end of the calendar year, unbundling 550 BT exchanges, making it one of the fastest growing network providers in the UK. By the end of 2021 it thus hopes to have grown its fibre network to 30,000km via a larger footprint of 90 data centres and over 800 PoPs.

As a complement to that Neos hopes to boost their coverage in Lancashire by benefitting from the imminent completion of a new ‘Dublin to Blackpool‘ sub-sea cabling connectivity project CeltixConnect-2 (CC-2), which runs under the Irish Sea and is being handled by Aqua Comms.

Neos thus intends to acquire a number of sub-ducts that connect Blackpool’s landing station directly into their UK network via a 30km Dark Fibre pathway, creating greater capacity and routing options for the region.

Sarah Mills, MD for Wholesale and Smart Infrastructure at Neos, said:

“Aqua Comms’ new CC-2 subsea cable system into Blackpool has opened up a number of exciting connectivity possibilities, not just locally but across the UK, Ireland and through to Europe. Extending Neos Networks’ core network as a Dark Fibre route via Preston into this region, enables us to offer hyperscalers direct access into the UK’s national fibre infrastructure, and on into the data centres of mainland Europe. Neos Networks will also enable digitisation for Lancashire industry, as we enhance our capability to deliver enterprise-grade connectivity services to the local businesses and organisations in the area.”

Nigel Bayliff, CEO Aqua Comms, said:

“We’re delighted that Neos Networks, one of the UK’s most trusted and fast-growing telcos, is making the most of our infrastructure, creating UK-wide routes for the hyperscaler market, while improving the connectivity options available to local businesses.

The work they have undertaken with their Dark Fibre network showcases how a connectivity provider can maximise the value of our duct, connecting the UK with European and cross-Atlantic data streams helping to create advanced digital networks.”

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