Neos Networks strengthens Ethernet network expansion programme with CityFibre agreement

Neos Networks is continuing its partnership with CityFibre, expanding its network footprint and bringing greater connectivity opportunities to a further nine UK cities.

The cities set to benefit from the announcement include Cambridge, Cheltenham, Coventry, Derby, Gloucester, Huddersfield, Peterborough, Southend and Swindon, with the connectivity deployments set to also help futureproof the UK’s digital infrastructure as a whole.

The partnership means Neos Networks customers will have access to business-grade Ethernet connectivity on the CityFibre network, ensuring its customers have greater optionality and flexibility when selecting last-mile providers. The nine cities will join the 15 CityFibre regions made available in 2019, with all available to quote and order via Neos Networks price comparison tool LIVEQUOTE.

The recent investment in the LIVEQUOTE portal provides Neos Networks customers better transparency when selecting a last-mile service provider as well as clear visibility of third-party availability for local access points. As of today, two of the nine cities are available to start quoting; Cambridge and Swindon, with the additional seven cities due for completion within the next month.

As UK businesses strive to recover following the impact of the ongoing pandemic, continued digital transformation is seen as a necessity to meet the growing demands of the digital world. For businesses across these new cities, the network expansion will help to support such digital projects by facilitating the roll out of high capacity, reliable full fibre networks, offering increased access to support business growth and economic recovery.

By onboarding the additional nine CityFibre cities, Neos Networks can continue its work in supporting businesses across the nation to access highly reliable connectivity services to support their digital agendas. Both enterprises and wholesalers across the UK will gain more choice and visibility for reliable, high capacity and secure connectivity solutions. The continued expansion ensures Neos Networks offers a vast number of interconnects and wider access to its network for customers in often overlooked regions of the UK.

In addition to the CityFibre agreement, Neos Networks is already well on the way to delivering its target of more than doubling the number of exchanges on its own network, up to 550 exchanges by the end of 2021. Supporting its ambitions to offer premium quality connectivity to the nation, many of these exchanges will provide 100Gbps high capacity options and 10Gbps Ethernet connectivity as standard. The enhancement of its network footprint will also result in an additional 10,000km of fibre network for the company.

Enterprises and wholesalers are also increasingly demanding easier ways to procure national Ethernet services. While connectivity can be complex, it doesn’t have to be; by offering customers the choice of provider with flexibility and optionality through the LIVEQUOTE pricing portal, Neos Networks aims to simplify business connectivity needs, providing intelligent network solutions for its customers. Neos Networks’ LIVEQUOTE tool also supports the launch of Ethernet over FTTx (EoFTTx), one of the first new products live under the Neos Networks name, meaning customers continue to have an expanding range of both competitive network suppliers and technology to choose from.

Sarah Mills, MD for Wholesale and Smart Infrastructure at Neos Networks said: “Neos Networks and CityFibre have both invested substantially in UK fibre networks over the last ten years, challenging the status quo and developing a strong proposition in the market. This development of our partnership means we can now offer businesses enhanced, self-serve, last-mile capability in more locations than ever before. With business connectivity needs increasing, offering a new network alternative for multi-location businesses can help them on the path to recovery.”

Andrew Wilson, Head of Wholesale at CityFibre said: “The CityFibre network is expanding rapidly and the extended partnership with Neos Networks helps to meet increased demand, providing all-important choice in the market. As a renowned disrupter in the market, establishing partnerships such as these helps us to offer our customers the best network experience possible. This relationship is a perfect fit due to our companies’ like-minded approach to tackling UK connectivity challenges and the vision towards improving the digital future of Britain.”