Opal Networks

Why Opal Networks?

Opal is the 4th largest voice carrier in the UK.
We have over 10 years experience running an efficient network, profitably.
Opal is investing in LLU for both residential and SME services.
We are the only operator to have an operational NGN with our own Class 5 equivalent services.
Opal has the lowest operational costs per switched minute than any other operator.

Opal is the 4th largest voice carrier in the UK.

Opal Networks is an established player in the field of network development and service delivery. Indeed, our whole cultural ethos is centred on engineering excellence and innovation; qualities which were recognised by our winning the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation 2004.
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We have over 10 years experience running an efficient network, profitably.

We currently operate one of the most efficient PSTN networks in the UK and house our own IN and IVR platforms from which our wholesale services are engineered. We own IPR on all our services which means we are much more flexible in developing and bringing new products to market, or offering bespoke solutions for more complex applications. We currently run over 2 billion minutes each month on our network through a range of inbound and outbound value-added services such as network call recording, call screening, call queuing.
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Opal is investing in LLU for both residential and SME services.

In November 2005, CPW announced the major new investment programme to support its drive for future growth in the range, quality and value of services we provide to wholesale, residential and business customers, with over £100m being invested into Opal Networks to develop the Groups LLU strategy.

Opal Networks intend to unbundle up to 1,000 exchanges. Based on current customer distribution, this would give almost 70% coverage of the UK population.

By December 2006 we will have 500 exchanges unbundled covering 42% of the UK.
By March 2007 we will have 1,000 exchanged unbundled covering almost 70%.
Exchanges are fully unbundled using the Multi-Service Access Node (MSAN) technology.

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We are the only operator to have an operational NGN with our own Class 5 equivalent services.

Opal is currently the only operator that has BT equivalent Class 5 services deployed within a Next Generation Network environment. Our technology partners already have equipment developed and installed within our network and in September 2006 we will have 1/2 million endusers already using our network LLU services.
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Opal has the lowest operational costs per switched minute than any other operator.

We have always taken the “asset light” approach to building and operating a network reasoning that capital should only be invested in the network at the point of highest added value. To this end, we own the switches and service platforms to ensure optimum routing, but lease all bandwidth. Our LLU strategy has adopted the same proven principle and we will therefore own the access equipment in the exchanges, the voice and data switching and service platforms in the core, and lease the bandwidth.
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