Becoming the competition with Metro Access Network
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As the UK embraces the move to full fibre connectivity and high-capacity services, being able to access reliable, robust connectivity to help cities meet their connectivity ambitions is essential. This led telecommunications service provider Neos Networks to the implementation of its first, direct end-to-end fibre connectivity network in Liverpool city centre.
Through the deployment of its own network across the city, the Reading-based company is aiming to support Liverpool in meeting its digital-first goals – providing high-capacity, class-leading connectivity solutions which will enable a better digital experience.
Neos Networks’ on-net Access Tails enables it to deliver a full end-to-end fibre connection to the doors of many, without the need to rely on third-party providers. On track to be deployed across key UK metro cities, Access Tails have landed in Liverpool and will follow suit in Manchester, Birmingham and London.
We spoke to Mark Charlesworth, director of product at Neos Networks to gain further insight on the new Neos Networks Access Tails service, discuss why Liverpool is its first metro city and gain a better understanding of what the service can offer.
Why are you investing in an enhanced network in Liverpool and where is the route located?
Liverpool is the 7th largest city in the UK and a business hub with over 75,000 registered businesses based in the region. Back in 2021, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority also declared its ambition to become the most digitally connected city region in the UK with every school, university, hospital, home and business having access to ultra-fast digital connectivity. It, therefore, felt a natural fit to serve as the first city to deploy our access network.
Regarding our route (and reach), our new Liverpool fibre network extends 3.6km, serving businesses across central Liverpool with fibre connectivity and making full use of our own network (with no need for third-party intervention).
To see if your business is on-net, click here to search your postcode.
What are the benefits of the new Access Tails solution?
Our Access Tails provide carrier-grade reliability with the reassurance of having sole use over a resilient, dedicated connection. This makes the service inherently secure, unlike the shared and contended services that are so prevalent in the marketplace.
Our end-to-end connectivity service also provides an automated order journey with fewer provisioning and engineering touch points, monthly reporting capabilities providing an accurate view of services and more competitive, more robust, higher capacity connectivity services.
How is the product/new route in direct competition to Openreach?
Across our Liverpool route, we’ll be replacing off-net Access Tails from providers like Openreach, for direct last-mile connectivity using our own network and delivered through our newly deployed fibre infrastructure.
We are also expanding our exchange footprint within the Liverpool area by adding additional gigabit-capable exchanges. In turn, customers will now have a choice between two city centre exchanges in Liverpool, with the potential to add diverse routing, further protecting their business.
What services can be provisioned on this route?
There are a number of services that will be made available across Liverpool as part of our metro project. This will be spread over a series of scheduled releases starting with Ethernet Point to NNI (P2NNI), followed soon after by our full product set including, Ethernet Point to Point (P2P), Optical Wavelengths, Dedicated Internet Access (including our recently announced Managed variant), Cloud Connect, SD-WAN and IP-VPN. The quoting experience is fully digitised making it easy for our customers to select the right service offering for their business.
Are your SLAs market competitive?
Yes. Our SLAs are very competitive with the market. Set as a 5-hour fix, we match the SLAs of other big players like BT Wholesale and Openreach. SLAs will also be service agnostic, ensuring the competitiveness of these guarantees is a primary objective.
What bandwidths will be available on your new Liverpool route?
Our Ethernet P2P and P2NNI services will be available across the new route in capacities ranging from 100Mbps all the way up to 10Gbps. NNIs can also be provisioned in our two Liverpool data centres in capacities of 10Gbps and 100Gbps.
When released, our Optical Wavelength service will be available in capacities of 10Gbps and 100Gbps and is ideal for those looking for the level up from Ethernet in terms of bandwidth and security.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Our new Metro Access Network already has its first customer, Jisc. The non-profit national body serving the UK’s higher and further education sector, has signed up to take advantage of regional access to the high-speed national network. Read more about how JISC are taking advantage of our Access Tails here.
You can read more about Neos Networks’ Access Tails solution and how it can support your business with low latency, high capacity networking here.
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