Zen’s carrier-grade network passes 400 PoPs

Zen Internet has installed its 400th Point of Presence (PoP) in BT exchanges, giving it by far the largest independent network in the UK.

The 400th PoP, installed this week in the SK15 postcode of Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, helps extend Zen’s on-net presence to over 500,000 postcodes, covering the length and breadth of the country. The installation of Zen equipment in the exchange gives even more residents and businesses the option to connect directly to Zen’s multi award-wining network.

An ambitious programme of local loop unbundling (LLU) has seen Zen almost double the number of Ethernet-enabled PoPs in its network in the last 12 months, adding another 200 PoPs to the network footprint.

Zen’s multi-million pound network investment stands in stark contrast to the strategy of other independent Internet Service Providers (ISPs), who are happy to piggyback entirely on the networks of others or operate little more than token on-net services. Zen is the only provider outside the ‘big four’ with a significant and nationwide on-net presence.

Jon Bauer, Zen’s technical director for network and infrastructure, believes the rollout is in the best interests of both Zen and its customers. “Unbundling exchanges and migrating services on-net provides Zen with end-to-end control of the network. The advantage of having services delivered entirely using the Zen network is that we have more flexibility with our products, and our ability to detect and repair faults doesn't rely on third parties, making it significantly quicker. Thanks to the rollout, nearly 75% of our customers will now be on-net.

“It also means that we pay less money to other operators to use their networks, producing savings that we pass on to customers in the form of better products, more cost-effective solutions and continued investment in our award-winning service and technical support.”

The expansion of Zen’s on-net footprint has occurred alongside a complete technological refresh of Zen’s core network. The project – dubbed Plexus internally - has created a core infrastructure with far greater capacity, resilience and flexibility than before, and one that is among the most advanced in Europe.

“Taken together these two major investments have created a technical infrastructure that compares favourably with any in the country,” says Jon.

“It shows the ambition we have at Zen. Our carrier-grade network and large on-net footprint really does make Zen a viable alternative to the big four providers, not only for broadband but also for cloud, hosted voice and a range of services that require robust, high-performance connectivity, underpinned by our award winning service.”

ENDS

For further information:

Please contact Hugh Wilson, press officer, Zen Internet. Hugh.wilson@zeninternet.co.uk 01706 902000.

Editor’s Notes

Zen Internet is a telecommunications and internet service provider (ISP), providing a full range of data, voice, hosting and infrastructure services to homes and businesses across the UK.

Zen provides its customers with the capabilities they need to communicate, collaborate and thrive in a highly-connected world, all supported by a highly robust and resilient independent network.

The company delivers excellent customer service and technical support. Zen has won many awards for excellent services including PC Pro’s Best Internet Service Provider, the UK IT Industry Award for Services Company of the Year, a UK Customer Experience Silver Award for Technology & Telecoms, and was recently named a Which? Recommended Provider for Broadband Services.

Zen also provides business-grade broadband, Ethernet and data services for a wide range of large business and corporate customers.

Zen Internet employs more than 400 staff and last year (2016) generated revenues of £57m.

Zen is a Sunday Times 100 Best Companies To Work For.