The Metronet Network

Points of Presence (POP)

The Metronet wireless network is based upon high rise POP sites that ensure maximum coverage for the urban areas in which it operates where equipment is securely housed in state of the art purpose built enclosures with full redundancy; including complete battery backup to accommodate mains failure.

Wireless Local Loop

A Metronet private circuit is provisioned using a local loop delivered via a carrier grade radio link and is, as a result, the last mile alternative to a circuit from BT or any other traditional provider.

Customer site service is enabled by the installation of a small radio attached to the exterior of the building from which a cable runs using industry standard Cat5 cabling to the IT/Comms room, or other location within the building where it is presented using an Ethernet RJ45 presentation unless otherwise specified.

Connectivity and Topology

POP sites are all connected using a hybrid mixture of Metronet's own fault tolerant dark fibre ring and Carrier Grade Gigabit Radio or Microwave solutions. The result is the most resilient Metropolitan Area Network possible. Breaks in the fibre ring or problems with a backhaul radio will have zero impact on the network's performance.

Because each customer connected to the network has a dedicated switched 10/100 Mbps port, the Metronet Network Operations Centre is able to monitor the private circuit 24/7/365. Where problems arise, the fault is normally repaired without the customer being aware of its existence. Each private circuit can be throttled or opened up throughout the network to the capacity of the radio link, which also enables isolation of individual connections if required.

Telecity, IFL, MaNap, RIPE...

Telecity is the North of England's main point of presence for the World Wide Web, providing access to nearly all the major providers, hosting services, and fast links into other internet exchanges such as Linx (London Internet Exchange) and WorldIX (Scotland's Commercial Internet Exchange).

Co-located in Manchester's prestigious Science Park, Metronet has rack space within Telecity (Kilburn House and Williams House). To guarantee optimal resilience, Metronet also hands off to IFL at Reynolds House.

Metronet's Internet credentials are further reinforced through its membership of both MaNap and RIPE.

Metronet also provides secure hosting services in its fully secured rooftop sites and at secure data centres within Manchester Science Park.