- Aquila aggregates full-fibre access to over 20 million UK premises
- Offers standardised APIs, high capacity backbone, real-time telemetry
What happened: AllPoints Fibre launches Aquila to simplify wholesale access
AllPoints Fibre Networks (APFN) has launched Aquila, a wholesale fibre aggregation platform across the UK. Ronan Kelly, APFN Managing Director, explained the platform gives ISPs and resellers direct access to full-fibre footprints from Openreach, BT Wholesale, CityFibre and APFN’s own network. Aquila supports more than 20 million premises. Kelly said partners can connect to Aquila with minimal technical change thanks to adoption of TM Forum standard APIs.
The architecture uses core and edge infrastructure built with Juniper carrier-grade routing hardware. Network-to-Network Interfaces (NNIs) offer 100 Gbps and 400 Gbps capacity. The platform includes a telemetry tool called Pulse for real-time network performance visibility. APFN designed Aquila to remove “technical debt” from legacy FTTC or copper-based systems. Early service uptake includes ISPs like Daisy and Onecom signing on. APFN has backing from Fern Trading and investment from Octopus Investments which Kelly said supports long-term growth.
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Why it’s important
Aquila stands to simplify wholesale fibre access by reducing friction for ISPs, which may speed up service rollout. Standard-based APIs and resilient core-edge design help partners scale without needing multiple vendor integrations. Ronan Kelly’s industry experience as a former senior technologist adds credibility to APFN’s technical strategy. AllPoints Fibre now delivers wholesale capability with market standards, matching demands for capacity and reliability across UK broadband infrastructure.
Transparency of performance through telemetry aids ISPs’ planning. Backbone resilience and NNIs at high-capacity levels set expectations for future wholesale platforms. Wholesale competition may increase as more partners join Aquila without bearing full infrastructure costs. This may help improve affordability and service variation for end-users across underserved areas.
