Neos Networks to expand UK fiber network to Liverpool, Birmingham, Manchester, and London

Dec. 14, 2021

The company says fiber deployments have begun and the first of these metro networks, in Liverpool, should be operational early next year.

Stephen Hardy

UK business connectivity provider Neos Networks says it plans to create new metro access fiber networks in Liverpool, Birmingham, Manchester, and London. The company says fiber deployments have begun and the first of these metro networks, in Liverpool, should be operational early next year.

The Liverpool, Birmingham, and Manchester metro access networks should connect with nearly 10,000 locally based businesses and regional offices among the three markets. The London network should reach around 23,000 businesses, according to the company. Neos expects the Birmingham and Manchester networks to go live in the middle of 2022, with the London fiber network operational in February 2023.

The metro access networks, part of Neos’s Project Edge upgrade initiative, will obviate the need for Neos to lease fiber in the four markets. Neos says it thus will be able to react more quickly to customer requirements as well as lower costs, making it even easier for customers to access the Neos backbone network.

“Regionally based businesses and offices, of all sizes and across all sectors, need access to the highest available quality of connectivity if they are to keep pace with their national and international competitors,” commented Sarah Mills, managing director of wholesale and smart infrastructure at Neos. “The UK lags behind many of its European neighbors in terms of business fiber access – but with Project Edge we aim to help UK businesses, starting in Liverpool, Birmingham, and Manchester as well as those in the capital, to catch up and truly compete, not just on a level playing field, but on one tilted in their favor.”

Neos says it has already signed a customer for the upcoming Liverpool network. Jisc is a national non-profit that offers digital skills and services to the UK’s higher and further education sector. “Connecting directly in to Neos Networks’ high-quality, reliable network here in Liverpool will strengthen our infrastructure, improving both the speed and quality of the services we are able to deliver to our partners in education and research across the UK,” stated Neil Shewry, deputy director of Jisc.

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About the Author

Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave

Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.

Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.

He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.

You can connect with Stephen on LinkedIn as well as Twitter.