Top MPLS network providers for UK businesses

Reviewed October 6th 2026 by Harry Yelland.

As UK businesses become more cloud reliant and spread across more sites, many depend on MPLS to connect offices, data centres and critical systems over a private network with predictable performance. And, whilst SD-WAN and hybrid networking have changed how corporate networks are often designed, Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) often remains the underlay beneath it for organisations that need traffic classes, published service level targets and a network kept separate from the public internet.

However, buying isn’t always straightforward and buyers typically choose from infrastructure-owning global and national carriers, managed service providers, aggregators and wholesale networks – all of which come with their own pros and cons. Whether you are connecting NHS sites, supporting payment systems or linking retail locations across the country, this guide compares each provider against their network reach, performance targets, SD-WAN and SASE options and public sector routes to give insights into which may fit your business’ use case best.

What MPLS is and why UK businesses still buy it

Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) is a way of carrying business traffic across a provider network on private, pre-defined paths. A business joins its offices, data centres and cloud connections to that network and the provider keeps the traffic separate from the public internet, with traffic also able to be sorted into classes, so that voice, payment systems and other priority applications are treated differently from general browsing.

In the UK, MPLS is bought most often by multi-site organisations that need predictable connections between sites: retail and hospitality estates, manufacturers, healthcare and education networks, public sector bodies and professional services firms.

MPLS, SD-WAN and SASE: how they fit together

One of the questions we're asked most at Netify is whether SD-WAN or SASE means you can do away with MPLS. The short answer is that they do different jobs, and most of the businesses we speak to end up using more than one. MPLS is the connection itself, a private path across a provider's network. SD-WAN is a software layer that sits on top and steers your traffic across whichever connections each site has, whether that's MPLS, broadband, dedicated internet access or 4G and 5G. SASE then brings network and security services together in the cloud, and SD-WAN is a component of it, alongside tools such as a secure web gateway, cloud access security broker, zero trust network access and a managed firewall.

In practice, that means MPLS often sits underneath an SD-WAN overlay rather than being replaced by it, which is why so many providers sell the two together as a hybrid network. Of the 38 providers we looked at, 34 offer an SD-WAN overlay and 28 record a hybrid underlay on one contract, although most of that evidence is only partly established. Where a provider names a platform or a SASE partner, such as Cisco, Fortinet, Versa or Zscaler, we've noted it, so you can see whether your security layer would come from the provider itself or from a partner.

So the real question for your business isn't MPLS or SD-WAN, it's more-so which connection suits each of your sites, and whether you'd rather buy the connection and the overlay from one provider or separately.

How we reviewed the providers

At Netify, we’ve evaluated 38 providers that sell MPLS services to UK businesses, comparing them on the likes of network and coverage, service and performance, hybrid WAN, SD-WAN and SASE, operations and assurance and, often the most decisive factor, commercial model. As part of this, we also looked for customer examples across a range of different sectors, in which we’ve used this to help narrow down each provider’s offering with businesses like yours.

What to ask every provider

Whilst we’ve provided information of every provider, a formal proposal will still uncover how each provider fits your business’ needs. Whatever the provider, we’d always recommend some (or all) of the following points that we’ve included below before comparing quotes:

The UK core latency, jitter and packet loss targets.

The availability target for the core and for resilient access, and what service credits apply when it is missed.

A current UK PoP list, with a count and the date of the map.

Where the network operations centre is, whether it is UK based and whether it is staffed 24x7.

Which parts of the network the provider owns and which are delivered by partners.

The minimum term, exit terms and any excess construction policy.

Whether MPLS and SD-WAN can be contracted together with a hybrid underlay on one contract.

Which public sector routes, such as RM6116, G-Cloud, HSCN and PSN, the service can be bought under.

Who are the best MPLS providers in the UK?

Given the variability in business needs, there is never a single answer to which MPLS provider in the UK is the best. We can however make some strong recommendations based on simplified overviews, like if you need published UK performance, BT Business's 20 ms latency and 3.5 ms jitter are the only published pair metrics we’ve seen on the market. For strong service levels, Vodafone Business offers 99.99% core availability and for widespread reach, Neos Networks is the largest reported with 640 PoPs available. Alternatively, if you need to specialise by sector rather than metrics, for NHS and public sector sites, the likes of Exponential-e and Node4 may be more preferential given that both are on RM6116 and HSCN.

With this variability in uses, we’ve provided the below overview of different providers’ MPLS offerings so that you can easily determine their fit for your business.

If you'd like to compare these providers side by side, the Netify MPLS shortlist tool lets you filter every provider on the facts we've recorded, then request comparable proposals through Netify instead of approaching each provider separately.

BT Business

Type: Tier-1 global carrier. Buyer size fit: Large global enterprise.

Best for: Large UK multi-site estates wanting global MPLS reach with published UK latency and jitter targets and managed SD-WAN.

BT Business sells MPLS as IP Connect in the UK and IP Connect Global for international sites.

Strengths

Publishes global MPLS across more than 200 countries with 5000+ points of presence.

UK IP Connect schedule publishes EF class targets of 20 ms round trip delay and 3.5 ms jitter, with availability up to 99.999% by category.

Names Cisco, VMware, Fortinet, Zscaler and Palo Alto for SD-WAN and SASE, and describes a UK-based network operations centre.

Weaknesses

A UK-only PoP count and city list were not found on the pages reviewed, so UK footprint cannot be compared directly.

Availability depends on category ordered, from 99.9% standard to 99.999% with SecurePlus resiliency, so check what is quoted.

Packet delivery is published, not packet loss, and global performance targets sit on the GS Portal, so no global latency figure is recorded.

Verdict: Netify recommends BT Business for large estates needing global reach plus the only latency and jitter pair published in this review, 20 ms and 3.5 ms in the UK. Ask for a UK PoP count.

Virgin Media O2 Business

Type: UK national carrier. Buyer size fit: Mid-market, Large global enterprise.

Best for: UK multi-site estates wanting a UK-owned fibre network with a published UK PoP count and public sector credentials.

Virgin Media O2 Business sells connectivity over a large UK fibre network, and the review found it publishes the second highest UK PoP count, 336.

Strengths

Publishes 336 UK points of presence and describes a next generation fibre network with access up to 10 Gbit/s.

Lists eight QoS classes, more than any other provider with a published class count in this review.

Listed on CCS Network Services 3 and G-Cloud, and recorded as HSCN compliant.

Weaknesses

No latency, jitter, packet loss or availability targets were found for the MPLS service in the sources reviewed.

Layer 3 IP VPN and VPLS are described only partly, so the product match needs confirming with the provider.

SD-WAN and SASE rest on named partners, Versa, Cisco and Zscaler, so delivery sits partly outside the Virgin Media O2 Business network.

Verdict: Netify recommends Virgin Media O2 Business for UK estates wanting a counted, UK-owned footprint: 336 PoPs, second only to Neos, with three public sector routes. Ask for its MPLS performance targets.

Vodafone Business

Type: UK national carrier. Buyer size fit: Large global enterprise, Mid-market.

Best for: Multi-site and multinational UK estates wanting a global MPLS network with published core availability and jitter targets.

Vodafone Business describes a global IP MPLS network and publishes service level terms for its IP VPN in a UK specification.

Strengths

Publishes 99.99% core availability for its IP VPN service in its UK service terms.

Publishes 5 ms jitter and 0.04% packet loss targets, with a 4 hour repair target and published service credits.

Names VMware VeloCloud, Fortinet, Cisco Meraki and Arista for SD-WAN, and Zscaler, FortiSASE and Palo Alto Prisma for SASE.

Weaknesses

No round trip latency target was found, so Vodafone cannot be compared with BT on a full latency and jitter pair.

No UK PoP count or UK PoP city list was found in the sources reviewed.

A 24x7 network operations centre is described but no location is published, and pricing is by quote only.

Verdict: Netify would shortlist Vodafone Business for buyers who put published service levels first: 99.99% core availability, 5 ms jitter and 0.04% packet loss. Ask for the missing latency figure and a UK PoP list.

Colt Technology Services

Type: Tier-1 global carrier. Buyer size fit: Large global enterprise.

Best for: Large estates spanning the UK, Europe and Asia wanting an owned carrier network and an integrated Versa SASE option.

Colt Technology Services runs its own global network, described as an MPLS network connecting 32,000 buildings, and sells IP VPN alongside Ethernet and wavelength services.

Strengths

Describes a global MPLS network connecting 32,000 buildings, with its own core network.

Publishes 99.9% minimum availability for its MPLS IP VPN service on its G-Cloud 14 listing.

Lists five QoS classes and names Versa SASE with Cisco, Meraki, Aruba and Fortinet for SD-WAN.

Weaknesses

Latency, jitter and packet loss SLAs exist but no figures were found, so performance cannot be compared.

The 99.9% availability figure does not say whether it covers resilient access.

Colt was not found on CCS Network Services 3 or HSCN lists, which matters for public sector buyers.

Verdict: Netify recommends Colt for multinational estates that value an owned network connecting 32,000 buildings. Its 99.9% availability is the only target found, so request latency and jitter terms.

TalkTalk Business

Type: UK national carrier. Buyer size fit: Mid-market.

Best for: UK multi-site estates wanting a national all-IP network with a published core availability figure and public sector framework listings.

TalkTalk Business describes an all-IP Next Generation Network covering more than 95% of the UK, and sells IP VPN to business customers over it.

Strengths

Describes an all-IP Next Generation Network covering more than 95% of the UK.

Publishes 99.995% core availability and access up to 10 Gbit/s.

Listed on CCS Network Services 3 and G-Cloud.

Weaknesses

No latency, jitter or packet loss targets were found in the sources reviewed.

No UK PoP count, city list or NOC location was found.

Only Cisco and Cisco Meraki are named for SD-WAN, and no SASE platform was found.

Verdict: Netify recommends TalkTalk Business for UK mid-market estates wanting a national all-IP network covering more than 95% of the UK, with 99.995% core availability and two framework routes. Confirm latency terms.

Gamma

Type: Managed service provider or aggregator. Buyer size fit: Mid-market.

Best for: Mid-market UK estates buying through a UK communications provider with Cisco-based SD-WAN and SASE.

Gamma sells managed networks, including MPLS and SD-WAN, to UK businesses, mainly through channel partners.

Strengths

Describes a UK cloud network with 99.999% uptime and UK infrastructure.

Names Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN, Meraki and Cisco Secure Access for SD-WAN and SASE.

Listed on CCS Network Services 3 and G-Cloud, and recorded as HSCN compliant.

Weaknesses

The 99.999% figure is an uptime claim for the cloud network, not an MPLS availability target, so it is not comparable.

No latency, jitter, packet loss or access availability targets were found for MPLS.

Core network ownership is only partly evidenced, so confirm who owns the core.

Verdict: Netify suggests Gamma for mid-market buyers wanting a Cisco based SD-WAN and SASE stack through a channel partner, with three public sector routes. Its 99.999% uptime claim covers the cloud network, not MPLS.

KCOM

Type: Regional or alt-net carrier. Buyer size fit: Mid-market, Small business.

Best for: Regional and public sector UK estates wanting PSN compliant Ethernet VPN with published contract terms.

KCOM sells an Ethernet based VPN from its Hull heritage, and describes the service as PSN compliant.

Strengths

Describes an Ethernet based VPN that is PSN compliant, with a 4 hour repair target.

Publishes 24, 36 and 60 month contract terms with a 24 month minimum on its SD-WAN pricing table.

Listed on CCS Network Services 3, with Cisco Meraki named for SD-WAN.

Weaknesses

Only three PoP cities, Hull, Leeds and Sheffield, were found, so national reach needs checking.

No latency, jitter, packet loss or availability targets were found.

Only one SD-WAN platform is named and no SASE offer was found.

Verdict: Netify recommends KCOM for regional and public sector estates needing PSN compliant Ethernet VPN with a 4 hour repair target and a 24 month minimum term. Check reach beyond Hull, Leeds and Sheffield.

Zen Internet

Type: UK national carrier. Buyer size fit: Mid-market, Small business.

Best for: UK mid-market estates wanting a UK MPLS backbone from a provider owning its core with Cisco SD-WAN.

Zen Internet describes a national MPLS backbone on a 10 Gbps core network that it owns.

Strengths

Describes a national MPLS backbone built on a 10 Gbps core network that Zen owns.

Lists six QoS classes and access bandwidth up to 10 Gbit/s.

Names Cisco Catalyst and Meraki SD-WAN, with retail and manufacturing sector evidence recorded.

Weaknesses

No availability, latency, jitter, packet loss or repair targets were found for MPLS. The only SLA figures found cover other products.

No PoP count or NOC location was found in the sources reviewed.

Not recorded on CCS Network Services 3 or HSCN, which matters to public sector buyers.

Verdict: Netify would consider Zen Internet for mid-market UK estates that value an owned 10 Gbps MPLS core and six QoS classes. No MPLS service level figures were found, so obtain them before shortlisting.

Exponential-e

Type: Managed service provider or aggregator. Buyer size fit: Mid-market, Large global enterprise.

Best for: UK multi-site estates wanting managed MPLS or VPLS WAN with six QoS levels and a Cato-based SASE option.

Exponential-e is a managed provider that describes its own MPLS network with Nokia core switches.

Strengths

Publishes over 190 UK points of presence and over 34 on-net data centres on its Our Network page.

Both Layer 3 MPLS and VPLS are described for the managed WAN, with six levels of QoS.

Confirmed as a CCS Network Services 3 Lot 1a supplier and states HSCN compliance, relevant to public sector and NHS buyers.

Weaknesses

Numeric targets found cover Smart Wires access only (availability 99.9% to 99.999%), not a core MPLS or VPLS network target.

SD-WAN platform names were not found on its SD-WAN page or datasheet, so vendor choice needs asking.

A UK service desk is described but no NOC count or location, and no PoP city list, was found.

Verdict: Netify recommends Exponential-e for mid-market and public sector estates wanting managed MPLS or VPLS with over 190 UK PoPs, six QoS levels and Cato SASE. Ask for its core MPLS targets.

Daisy Communications

Type: Managed service provider or aggregator. Buyer size fit: Mid-market, Small business.

Best for: UK mid-market estates wanting one managed provider for connectivity, voice and IT, including HSCN access.

Daisy Communications is a managed provider selling connectivity, voice and IT to UK businesses.

Strengths

Names Ethernet leased line, full fibre broadband and 4G or 5G backup as access options.

Recorded as HSCN compliant, relevant to NHS buyers.

Lists SD-WAN and SASE services, both only partly evidenced.

Weaknesses

Daisy resells and manages connectivity, so core network ownership is a partner arrangement and no PoP count applies.

No latency, jitter, packet loss or availability targets were found.

CCS Network Services 3 listing is only partly evidenced, and no satellite access option was found.

Verdict: Netify suggests Daisy Communications for mid-market buyers wanting one managed provider for connectivity and HSCN access, with three access types named. The core is partner delivered, so ask whose network carries it.

Lumen Technologies

Type: Tier-1 global carrier. Buyer size fit: Large global enterprise.

Best for: Global estates already on Lumen, with a UK service to be confirmed before it is shortlisted.

Lumen Technologies describes a global MPLS network with hybrid flexibility, and names Versa, Cisco Meraki and VMware for SD-WAN. Financial services sector evidence is recorded as Proven.

Strengths

Describes a global MPLS network with hybrid flexibility.

Names Versa, Cisco Meraki and VMware for SD-WAN.

Financial services sector evidence is recorded as Proven.

Weaknesses

Lumen sold its EMEA business to Colt, with completion announced on 1 November 2023, so UK delivery needs confirming.

No UK PoP count, NOC or performance targets were found.

The service page found is for the United States, not the UK.

Verdict: Netify does not recommend shortlisting Lumen Technologies for UK MPLS until delivery is confirmed: its EMEA business moved to Colt, announced 1 November 2023. Speak to Colt first.

Verizon Business

Type: Tier-1 global carrier. Buyer size fit: Large global enterprise.

Best for: Multinational estates wanting a global Private IP MPLS network with 5G or LTE wireless access.

Verizon Business sells Private IP, its MPLS IP VPN service, with 5G and LTE wireless access listed on its UK and Europe page.

Strengths

Describes a global MPLS IP VPN network, with 5G and LTE wireless access to Private IP listed for the UK.

Names VeloCloud, Versa, Fortinet, Cisco Meraki and HPE Aruba for SD-WAN, from trade press.

Operates Private IP with third party MPLS arrangements where it lacks its own reach.

Weaknesses

Core network ownership is partial, because third party providers carry some Private IP service.

No UK PoP count or NOC location was found.

No latency, jitter, packet loss or availability targets were found for the UK.

Verdict: Netify recommends Verizon Business for multinational estates needing global Private IP with 5G and LTE wireless access and five named SD-WAN platforms. No UK PoP count or targets were found, so ask for UK evidence.

Orange Business

Type: Tier-1 global carrier. Buyer size fit: Large global enterprise.

Best for: Multinational estates wanting a global Business VPN with Ethernet and broadband access options.

Orange Business sells Business VPN worldwide and describes reach across 220 countries and territories.

Strengths

Describes global reach covering 220 countries and territories.

Business VPN service description dated March 2026 names Ethernet access.

Business VPN Satellite is a separate service description for remote sites.

Weaknesses

The documents found are global, not UK specific, so UK coverage and UK support need confirming.

Business VPN Small cannot use 4G, 5G or satellite as access, which limits backup options.

No latency, jitter, packet loss or availability targets were found.

Verdict: Netify would shortlist Orange Business for multinational estates needing reach across 220 countries and territories with Ethernet access. Its documents are global, so ask for UK delivery and support terms.

GTT

Type: Tier-1 global carrier. Buyer size fit: Large global enterprise.

Best for: Multi-country estates wanting a global network with LEO satellite access options.

GTT describes a global network with 450+ PoPs across 170+ countries, a figure it states itself, and sells managed networking including SD-WAN. Its UK site lists LEO satellite internet access, stated as available in over 65 countries.

Strengths

States a global network of 450+ PoPs across 170+ countries, as its own claim.

Offers LEO satellite internet access, stated as available in over 65 countries.

Describes a 24x7 network operations centre and managed SD-WAN.

Weaknesses

No UK PoP count or UK NOC location was found.

No latency, jitter, packet loss or availability targets were found for MPLS.

No named UK government or public sector customer using its MPLS service was found.

Verdict: Netify suggests GTT for multi-country estates wanting satellite as well as fixed access, with LEO internet stated in over 65 countries. Its 450+ PoPs are its own claim, so ask for UK evidence.

AT&T Business

Type: Tier-1 global carrier. Buyer size fit: Large global enterprise.

Best for: Multinational estates wanting MPLS VPN in 200+ countries from a US carrier.

AT&T Business describes MPLS VPN service in more than 200 countries and names VMware and Cisco for SD-WAN. The only availability figure found, 99.95% on the AT&T United States site, and the 99.99% port availability in US service guides, are for the United States, so none is recorded for the UK. A UK-based network operations presence is partly evidenced.

Strengths

Describes MPLS VPN service in 200+ countries with secure dedicated connectivity.

Names VMware and Cisco for SD-WAN.

Describes a UK-based network operations presence, partly evidenced.

Weaknesses

The only availability figures found are for the United States, so none is recorded for the UK.

No UK PoP count, UK case study or UK framework listing was found.

Service credit terms are only partly evidenced.

Verdict: Netify would shortlist AT&T Business only for UK estates with sites in 200+ countries, where its MPLS VPN reach matters. No UK availability or customer evidence was found, so ask for both.

NTT DATA

Type: Tier-1 global carrier. Buyer size fit: Large global enterprise.

Best for: Large estates wanting a global IP backbone and managed network services from a global systems provider.

NTT DATA describes a global Tier 1 IP backbone with 125,000 km of undersea cable, and offers managed network services, SD-WAN and SASE with Palo Alto Prisma Access and Cisco Secure Access named.

Strengths

Describes a global Tier 1 IP backbone with 125,000 km of undersea cable.

Names Palo Alto Prisma Access and Cisco Secure Access for SASE.

Listed on CCS Network Services 3 and G-Cloud.

Weaknesses

No MPLS or IP VPN page was found on the NTT DATA UK site, so MPLS evidence sits on the NTT Communications Japan site.

No UK PoP count, NOC location or performance targets were found.

Layer 3 IP VPN evidence is for a different entity and country, so it is not recorded as Proven.

Verdict: Netify recommends NTT DATA for large estates buying managed network and SASE together, with two named SASE platforms and a Network Services 3 listing. Confirm which entity contracts MPLS in the UK.

Tata Communications

Type: Tier-1 global carrier. Buyer size fit: Large global enterprise.

Best for: Global estates wanting MPLS with Cisco or Versa SD-WAN and managed security from a Tier 1 carrier.

Tata Communications describes an MPLS and Tier 1 internet backbone with 160 global PoPs, with UK PoPs in London, Manchester and Highbridge.

Strengths

Describes an MPLS and Tier 1 internet backbone with 160 global PoPs and PoPs in London and Manchester.

Lists six QoS classes and names Cisco and Versa for SD-WAN.

Offers ZTNA, secure web gateway, CASB and managed firewall, from its global site.

Weaknesses

No core availability, latency, jitter or packet loss figures were found. Its datasheet lists the categories without numbers.

The security evidence is global, with no UK scope stated.

G-Cloud listing is only partly evidenced and no UK framework listing was found.

Verdict: Netify recommends Tata Communications for global estates wanting MPLS and a full security stack from one carrier, with 160 global PoPs and six QoS classes. UK scoped targets are missing, so ask for them.

Telstra International

Type: Tier-1 global carrier. Buyer size fit: Large global enterprise.

Best for: Multinational estates with Asia Pacific sites wanting IP VPN delivered over MPLS.

Telstra International states that its IPVPN is delivered using MPLS across its global IP backbone, with domestic networks in China and Australia, and the datasheet dated October 2024 supports this.

Strengths

IPVPN datasheet states MPLS delivery across a global IP backbone with domestic networks in China and Australia.

Lists six QoS classes and offers a Layer 3 IP VPN, evidenced as Proven.

Names an SD-WAN overlay and a partner delivered managed option.

Weaknesses

Telstra said in June 2024 it is ceasing new managed services, so managed SD-WAN needs checking.

Its UK datasheet pages redirect, so UK specific figures were not read.

No PoP count, NOC location or performance targets were found.

Verdict: Netify suggests Telstra International for estates with sites in China or Australia, where IP VPN runs over its own MPLS networks with six QoS classes. Confirm managed service availability first.

Neos Networks

Type: Regional or alt-net carrier. Buyer size fit: Mid-market, Large global enterprise.

Best for: UK estates wanting a UK owned fibre and MPLS core with the largest published UK PoP count.

Neos Networks owns a UK-wide fibre network and an MPLS core with built-in resilience, and runs a 24x7 network operations centre.

Strengths

Publishes 640 UK points of presence, the highest count recorded in this review.

Owns an MPLS core with built-in resilience across a UK-wide fibre network, and runs a 24x7 NOC.

Listed on CCS Network Services 3 and G-Cloud.

Weaknesses

No latency, jitter, packet loss or availability targets were found for the MPLS service.

Managed SD-WAN is partly evidenced, with 4G and 5G backup listed only for SD-WAN underlay.

No satellite access option was found.

Verdict: Netify recommends Neos Networks for UK estates wanting the widest published UK footprint, 640 PoPs, on an owned MPLS core with a 24x7 NOC and two framework routes. Request performance targets.

M247

Type: Managed service provider or aggregator. Buyer size fit: Mid-market.

Best for: UK and European estates wanting a managed MPLS IP VPN from a data centre and network operator.

M247 describes itself as an MPLS IPVPN service provider with high performance managed WAN services, and lists London and Manchester PoPs.

Strengths

Describes MPLS IP VPN with high performance managed WAN services.

Lists London and Manchester PoPs, and coverage in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific from a 2020 article.

Offers SD-WAN and SASE, evidenced partly.

Weaknesses

Regional coverage rests on a January 2020 trade press article, which is over three years old.

The M247 site blocked automated reading, so network and SLA pages were not read.

No latency, jitter, packet loss or availability figures were found.

Verdict: Netify would treat M247 as a candidate for mid-market estates in London, Manchester and Europe, but its site blocked review and coverage evidence dates from January 2020. Ask for current network details.

Redcentric

Type: Managed service provider or aggregator. Buyer size fit: Mid-market.

Best for: UK public sector and mid-market estates wanting managed SD-WAN with HSCN and G-Cloud routes.

Redcentric is a managed provider that describes managed SD-WAN solutions and aggregates connectivity options rather than describing an owned MPLS core.

Strengths

Recorded as HSCN compliant and G-Cloud listed.

Runs a 24x7 network operations centre, evidenced as Proven.

Names Fortinet and Cisco Meraki for SD-WAN and offers Starlink satellite access.

Weaknesses

It aggregates connectivity options rather than describing an owned MPLS core.

No latency, jitter, packet loss or availability targets were found.

Satellite access is stated for SD-WAN, not for MPLS or IP VPN.

Verdict: Netify recommends Redcentric for NHS and public sector estates wanting managed SD-WAN with two public sector routes and a proven 24x7 NOC. It aggregates connectivity, so ask which network carries MPLS.

Node4

Type: Managed service provider or aggregator. Buyer size fit: Mid-market.

Best for: UK mid-market estates wanting MPLS linked to its own data centres, with HSCN and framework routes.

Node4 describes its own DWDM ring and MPLS network linking UK data centres and major PoPs, and sells ConnectFAST MPLS on G-Cloud 14 with Ethernet, EFM and fibre leased line access.

Strengths

Describes its own DWDM ring and MPLS network linking UK data centres and major PoPs.

Offers ConnectFAST MPLS with Ethernet, EFM and fibre leased line access, evidenced on G-Cloud 14.

Recorded as HSCN compliant, on CCS Network Services 3 and on G-Cloud.

Weaknesses

The only PoP cities found, London and Manchester, come from an older announcement.

No latency, jitter, packet loss or availability targets were found.

Satellite access appears on its channel site and is not tied to MPLS.

Verdict: Netify recommends Node4 for mid-market estates whose workloads sit in UK data centres, with its own DWDM and MPLS ring and three framework routes. Ask for current PoP locations and targets.

Claranet

Type: Managed service provider or aggregator. Buyer size fit: Mid-market.

Best for: UK mid-market estates wanting managed WAN and SD-WAN from a Fortinet focused managed provider.

Claranet is a managed provider offering SD-WAN, LAN, WAN, Wi-Fi and Ethernet services, with Fortinet MSSP expert status.

Strengths

Describes managed network and connectivity services covering SD-WAN, LAN, WAN, Wi-Fi and Ethernet.

Holds Fortinet MSSP expert status and offers Fortinet SD-WAN and SASE.

Listed on G-Cloud, with financial services evidence recorded.

Weaknesses

Core network ownership is partial, because it aggregates carrier connectivity.

Fortinet is the only named platform, so vendor choice is narrow.

No latency, jitter, packet loss or availability targets were found.

Verdict: Netify suggests Claranet for mid-market estates already committed to Fortinet, the one platform it names, with G-Cloud listing and financial services evidence. Others should compare wider SD-WAN choice.

Six Degrees

Type: Managed service provider or aggregator. Buyer size fit: Mid-market.

Best for: UK mid-market estates wanting MPLS over a managed network with a native SD-WAN and SASE offer.

Six Degrees describes a Next Generation Network that gives MPLS connectivity across the UK, Europe and the US, and the review records core network ownership as Proven.

Strengths

Describes a Next Generation Network giving MPLS connectivity across the UK, Europe and the US.

SD-WAN and SASE are both evidenced as Proven.

Listed on CCS Network Services 3 and G-Cloud, with FTTP and ADSL access named.

Weaknesses

The PoP locations found, Birmingham and Studley, come from PeeringDB, not a Six Degrees map.

No latency, jitter, packet loss or availability targets were found.

Satellite access was not found.

Verdict: Netify recommends Six Degrees for mid-market estates wanting an owned MPLS network across the UK, Europe and the US, with SD-WAN and SASE from one provider and two framework routes. Ask for PoP and SLA detail.

Maintel

Type: Managed service provider or aggregator. Buyer size fit: Mid-market.

Best for: UK mid-market estates wanting managed SD-WAN with Cisco and Fortinet and G-Cloud routes.

Maintel is a managed provider offering SD-WAN with Cisco, Cisco Meraki and Fortinet, and Cisco and Fortinet for SASE. It is on CCS Network Services 3 and G-Cloud, and healthcare sector evidence is recorded.

Strengths

Names Cisco, Cisco Meraki and Fortinet for SD-WAN, with Cisco and Fortinet for SASE.

Listed on CCS Network Services 3 and G-Cloud.

Healthcare sector evidence is recorded.

Weaknesses

Maintel states MPLS is contracted separately, and service credits do not apply to its Cisco SD-WAN.

The G-Cloud listing shows 99.999% but the service definition shows up to 99.99%, so the figure conflicts.

No NOC location was confirmed.

Verdict: Netify suggests Maintel for mid-market buyers wanting managed Cisco or Fortinet SD-WAN with two framework routes. MPLS is contracted separately and its availability figure conflicts, 99.999% against 99.99%, so verify first.

Onecom

Type: Reseller or channel partner. Buyer size fit: Small business, Mid-market.

Best for: UK small and mid-sized businesses buying MPLS through a reseller on the Virtual1 network.

Onecom is a reseller that sells MPLS on the Virtual1 network, and its MPLS page sits under the Virtual1 name.

Strengths

Uses the Virtual1 dedicated business network, with access from 10 Mbit/s up to 10 Gbit/s.

Names HPE Aruba EdgeConnect SD-WAN with SSE and SASE.

Listed on CCS Network Services 3.

Weaknesses

As a reseller it does not own the core, so network facts depend on Virtual1.

Its documents state no service level guarantee on resolution times and no MPLS service credits or term length were found.

Its MPLS page sits under the Virtual1 name, so the contracting entity needs confirming.

Verdict: Netify recommends Onecom for small and mid-sized businesses wanting MPLS from a reseller, with access from 10 Mbit/s to 10 Gbit/s on the Virtual1 network. Confirm repair terms and the contracting entity.

Spitfire Network Services

Type: Regional or alt-net carrier. Buyer size fit: Mid-market, Small business.

Best for: UK mid-market estates wanting a UK MPLS WAN from an independent network owner with published terms.

Spitfire Network Services owns a resilient multi-core network managed centrally, with several London data centre PoPs, and sells MPLS WAN to UK businesses.

Strengths

Owns a resilient multi-core network, managed centrally, with several London data centre PoPs.

Publishes 12 and 36 month contract terms with a 12 month minimum, and access up to 10 Gbit/s.

Listed on CCS Network Services 3.

Weaknesses

The published SLA covers access products, not MPLS, so no MPLS availability, latency or jitter targets are recorded.

It is over three years old, being version 2.3 from December 2021.

Pricing is partly published, so confirm the scope of the master price list.

Verdict: Netify recommends Spitfire for UK mid-market buyers wanting an independent owner of its core with published 12 and 36 month terms. Its SLA covers access, not MPLS, so request MPLS targets.

Expereo

Type: Managed service provider or aggregator. Buyer size fit: Large global enterprise.

Best for: Global estates wanting managed internet based SD-WAN underlays across many countries.

Expereo aggregates fibre, wireless and satellite access under a managed network and SD-WAN, with an Enhanced IP Core and global internet.

Strengths

Lists NOC locations in Buenos Aires, Dubai and Manila, with London and further sites.

Aggregates fibre, wireless and satellite access under managed SD-WAN.

Works with multiple SD-WAN technology partners.

Weaknesses

No MPLS or IP VPN page was found. Expereo sells SD-WAN and positions it as an alternative to MPLS.

No Ethernet access evidence was found on its own pages.

No UK PoP count or performance targets were found.

Verdict: Netify recommends Expereo for global estates moving to SD-WAN over internet underlay, with NOCs in at least three regions, but not as an MPLS supplier, as no MPLS page was found.

Comcast Business (Masergy)

Type: Managed service provider or aggregator. Buyer size fit: Large global enterprise.

Best for: Global estates already using Comcast Business or Masergy, with UK scope to be confirmed.

Comcast Business describes native MPLS technology and a software-defined core network that connects locations through Comcast PoPs, and Masergy is its enterprise network brand.

Strengths

Describes native MPLS technology and a software-defined core connecting sites through Comcast PoPs.

Names Cisco Meraki for SD-WAN.

Owns its core, evidenced from terms documents.

Weaknesses

The documents found are US enterprise terms with no UK entity or UK scope.

The London and Slough hubs come from a 2017 SLA, not a current map.

No satellite access, UK-based support or performance targets were found.

Verdict: Netify would not shortlist Comcast Business (Masergy) for UK MPLS without UK evidence: the MPLS terms found are US documents and its London and Slough hubs date from 2017. Ask for UK scope.

Jisc

Type: Regional or alt-net carrier. Buyer size fit: Mid-market, Large global enterprise.

Best for: UK universities, colleges and research bodies wanting the Janet network.

Jisc operates Janet, described as the largest capacity national research and education network in Europe, with over 2000 connectivity services used by millions of people.

Strengths

Operates Janet, described as the largest capacity research and education network in Europe, serving more than 2000 connectivity services.

Listed on CCS Network Services 3 and G-Cloud.

Describes a London NOC, from a 2019 job advert.

Weaknesses

Janet is an IP connection to a research backbone, not an MPLS or IP VPN service.

Availability figures conflict, 99.95% per link on one page and 99.7% on the G-Cloud listing.

Its G-Cloud listing says it does not connect to public sector networks.

Verdict: Netify recommends Jisc for UK universities and research bodies needing the Janet network, which serves more than 2000 connectivity services. It is an IP service, not MPLS, so other buyers should look elsewhere.

hSo

Type: Managed service provider or aggregator. Buyer size fit: Mid-market.

Best for: UK public sector and mid-market estates wanting a UK MPLS network from an independent provider.

hSo describes its own core low-latency, resilient MPLS network with PoPs in London, Manchester, Slough, Farnborough and Corsham and on-net PoPs in the UK and the Netherlands.

Strengths

Describes its own low latency resilient MPLS network, with PoPs in London, Manchester, Slough, Farnborough and Corsham.

Has on-net PoPs in two countries, the UK and the Netherlands.

Listed on CCS Network Services 3, with a case study for a managed MPLS WAN.

Weaknesses

No NOC location was found. Its IP transit page mentions a 24x7 UK NOC without a site.

No availability, QoS class count, latency, jitter or packet loss figures were found.

No SD-WAN platform names were found.

Verdict: Netify recommends hSo for UK public sector and mid-market buyers wanting an independent MPLS network with PoPs in five cities and a Network Services 3 listing. Ask for a NOC location and targets.

Commsworld

Type: Regional or alt-net carrier. Buyer size fit: Mid-market.

Best for: UK mid-market and public sector estates wanting an owned UK fibre network with MPLS and VPLS.

Commsworld describes its Fluency network as UK-wide, fully owned and managed, covering optical, dark fibre, Ethernet, WAN and Cloud Connect, and Layer 2 VPLS is described.

Strengths

Describes the Fluency network as UK wide, fully owned and managed, with Ethernet, WAN and Cloud Connect.

States 125 PoPs in 30 towns and cities on its own site.

Listed on CCS Network Services 3, with Layer 2 VPLS described.

Weaknesses

The PoP count varies by source, 21 in 2016, 90, 91 and 125, and no city list is published.

No NOC location was found, and no SD-WAN offer was recorded.

No latency, jitter, packet loss or availability targets were found.

Verdict: Netify suggests Commsworld for UK mid-market and public sector estates wanting an owned national fibre network with VPLS and a stated 125 PoPs. Its PoP count varies by source, so confirm it.

ITS Technology Group

Type: Wholesale only. Buyer size fit: Mid-market.

Best for: Resellers and carriers wanting wholesale full fibre rather than a direct MPLS service.

ITS Technology Group sells wholesale full fibre, the Faster Britain network, and states 455 km of dark fibre across Greater London.

Strengths

Wholesale full fibre network, with 455 km of dark fibre across Greater London, as its own claim.

Access up to 5 Gbit/s, with PoPs in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and Glasgow.

Listed on CCS Network Services 3.

Weaknesses

It is wholesale only, so a direct UK business buyer contracts through a partner.

Its pages describe a 24/7 NOC but give no location, and the head office is not a NOC.

Layer 2 wholesale is offered, but VPLS and E-LAN are not named.

Verdict: Netify recommends ITS Technology Group to resellers and carriers wanting wholesale full fibre, with 455 km of dark fibre across Greater London. A business buyer should contract through a partner.

Virtual1

Type: Wholesale only. Buyer size fit: Mid-market.

Best for: Resellers and managed providers wanting a wholesale software defined network, now trading as PXC.

Virtual1, now trading as PXC at pxc.co.uk, is a wholesale network that describes a software defined network aggregating its London based network with other carriers, delivered through the 1Portal and 1Cloud platforms.

Strengths

Describes a software defined network aggregating its London based network with other carriers, with SD-WAN evidenced as Proven.

On-net PoPs in three countries, the UK, the Netherlands and Germany.

Offers the 1Portal and 1Cloud platforms.

Weaknesses

It is wholesale only, and the brand is now PXC at pxc.co.uk, so the contracting entity needs confirming.

A Juniper case study mentions growth from 55 to 280 PoPs, but the date and figures were not confirmed.

No NOC location, availability or performance targets were found.

Verdict: Netify recommends Virtual1, now PXC, to resellers and managed providers building MPLS on a software defined wholesale network with on-net PoPs in three countries. Buyers should confirm the entity first.

CityFibre

Type: Wholesale only. Buyer size fit: Mid-market.

Best for: Resellers and public sector networks wanting wholesale full fibre underlay, not a direct MPLS service.

CityFibre operates a full fibre XGS-PON network with an MPLS core for its wholesale PWAN and IP VPN products, and sells only through partners.

Strengths

Operates a full fibre XGS-PON network with an MPLS core for its wholesale PWAN and IP VPN products.

Lists access from 100 Mbit/s to 10 Gbit/s, and PoPs in London, Slough, Manchester and Edinburgh.

Publishes a 9 week install lead time.

Weaknesses

It sells through partners only, so a UK business cannot contract directly.

No SD-WAN, VPLS or direct MPLS offer was found, and its NHS and council cases use dark fibre or access fibre.

The PoP cities come from PeeringDB, not a CityFibre map.

Verdict: Netify recommends CityFibre as an underlay for partners needing full fibre access from 100 Mbit/s to 10 Gbit/s, not as a direct MPLS supplier. Ask your reseller about its 9 week install lead time.

Globalgig

Type: Managed service provider or aggregator. Buyer size fit: Large global enterprise.

Best for: Global estates wanting one provider for MPLS, broadband, Ethernet and SD-WAN across many countries.

Globalgig offers broadband, MPLS, Ethernet, SD-WAN and cloud connectivity across many countries, with Palo Alto Prisma as its principal SASE platform partner, and Palo Alto, Cisco Meraki, Cisco Viptela and Fortinet named for SD-WAN. A case study on its site describes improved China connectivity for a manufacturer, delivered through carrier partners.

Strengths

Offers broadband, MPLS, Ethernet, SD-WAN and cloud connectivity, with Palo Alto Prisma as principal SASE partner.

Names Palo Alto, Cisco Meraki, Cisco Viptela and Fortinet for SD-WAN.

Delivers China connectivity through carrier partners, per a case study.

Weaknesses

The MPLS SLA figures found are for its US entity, so none is recorded for the UK.

It relies on partners for its core network, so PoP and NOC facts are not published.

No UK latency, jitter or availability targets were found.

Verdict: Netify suggests Globalgig for global estates wanting MPLS, broadband and SD-WAN through one provider, with four named platforms and Prisma SASE. Its published MPLS SLA belongs to a US entity, so ask for UK terms.

Cogent

Type: Tier-1 global carrier. Buyer size fit: Large global enterprise.

Best for: Estates wanting a global IP network, with an MPLS style private network as a secondary offer.

Cogent describes global high-speed private network solutions on one of the largest IP networks in the world, and lists UK PoPs including London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast.

Strengths

Operates one of the largest IP networks, with NOCs in Washington D.C., Herndon, Overland Park and Madrid.

Lists UK PoPs including London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast.

Names an SD-WAN overlay.

Weaknesses

The only SLA text found is a 2006 copy, so no current availability, latency or loss figure is recorded.

No UK based NOC or 24x7 NOC statement was found.

No SD-WAN platform or SASE platform was found.

Verdict: Netify would consider Cogent where a global IP network matters more than MPLS detail, with UK PoPs in five cities and four NOC sites. Its only SLA found dates from 2006, so ask for current terms.

Zayo

Type: Tier-1 global carrier. Buyer size fit: Large global enterprise.

Best for: Large estates wanting a layer 3 any-to-any network and fibre across the UK and Europe.

Zayo describes a layer 3 any-to-any network built on an MPLS core, with NOCs in London, Paris and Sofia and on-net PoPs in 16 countries.

Strengths

Describes a layer 3 any-to-any network on an MPLS core.

Lists NOCs in London, Paris and Sofia, and on-net PoPs in 16 countries.

Names VMware VeloCloud, Fortinet, Palo Alto Networks and Versa for SD-WAN and SASE.

Weaknesses

Its UK legal entity is Zayo Group UK Limited, separate from Zayo Europe, so confirm which one contracts.

No UK access tail evidence or UK retail, manufacturing or transport customer was found.

No latency, jitter, packet loss or availability targets were found.

Verdict: Netify recommends Zayo for large estates wanting a layer 3 any-to-any network across Europe, with on-net PoPs in 16 countries and NOCs in three cities. Confirm Zayo Group UK Limited is the contracting entity.

Conclusion

At Netify, we always try to recommend the best possible provider for your business’ needs – when evaluating the different providers on the market, we’d suggest starting with the pain points of your current network estate.

BT Business is the only provider with both a latency and a jitter target recorded, at 20 ms and 3.5 ms. Vodafone Business comes closest, with 99.99% core availability, 5 ms jitter and 0.04% packet loss. Alternatively, if your main concern is UK footprint, it’s worth noting that Neos Networks has 640 PoPs, Virgin Media O2 Business 336 and Exponential-e over 190.

Frequently asked questions

Which MPLS providers have the most UK PoPs?

If reach matters most to your business, as of October 2026, Neos Networks comes out on top with 640 UK PoPs, followed by Virgin Media O2 Business with 336 and Exponential-e with over 190 - though it's worth keeping in mind that many providers don’t offer exact figures, as BT Business, Tata Communications and GTT only give global counts and plenty of other providers don't give a UK count at all, so we’d always recommend asking for a current UK PoP list before you compare.

Which MPLS providers give you latency, jitter and packet loss targets?

BT Business is the only provider that gives you both latency and jitter, at 20 ms round trip and 3.5 ms, so if you're after targets across all of those, it's a good place to start. Vodafone Business gets close with 5 ms jitter and 0.04% packet loss, but doesn't give a latency figure. Colt (99.9%), TalkTalk Business (99.995%) and Exponential-e (99.99% access with resilience) give you availability only, so you'd want to ask them about the rest.

Which MPLS providers also deliver SD-WAN and SASE?

Most providers will offer you SD-WAN alongside MPLS, but SASE is a different story, as it isn't native to every provider. If you want SD-WAN and SASE from the same place, you can look at BT Business, Virgin Media O2 Business, Vodafone Business, Colt, Gamma, Zen Internet, Exponential-e (Cato Networks, partner delivered), Lumen, NTT DATA, Tata Communications, Claranet, Maintel, Onecom, Globalgig and Zayo.

Which MPLS providers are on Network Services 3 (RM6116) or HSCN?

If you're a public sector business, these are the routes we found for each provider:

RM6116: BT Business, Virgin Media O2 Business, Vodafone Business, TalkTalk Business, Gamma, KCOM, Exponential-e, NTT DATA, Neos Networks, Node4, Six Degrees, Maintel, Onecom, Spitfire, Jisc, hSo, Commsworld and ITS.

HSCN: Virgin Media O2 Business, Gamma, Exponential-e, Daisy, Redcentric and Node4.

Is MPLS being replaced by SD-WAN?

Not really - SD-WAN, and SASE with it, sit on top of your network and control it, rather than being the network itself. In some cases, such as when you want to use cheaper broadband connections, they can take the place of MPLS, but they're just as often used on top of it, which is why SD-WAN is mostly sold alongside MPLS or another underlay rather than instead of it. What works best for your business really comes down to your sites and applications.

How does a UK business get comparable MPLS proposals?

The easiest way is the Netify MPLS Shortlist tool. You pick the providers you'd like to hear from and Netify handles the requests for you, so each provider is asked the same questions and you get proposals that are easy to compare.

What are the alternatives to MPLS?

The most common are SD-WAN or SASE over broadband or dedicated internet access, and Layer 2 VPLS or E-LAN if you need your sites to behave like one local network. They don't have to be an either/or choice though, as they can often be used alongside MPLS, which is why we'd typically recommend a hybrid setup that keeps MPLS for your most critical sites.