Revolutionise Your Infrastructure with Next-Gen Colocation Services in Leeds
Tier 3+ colocation services to support all of your connectivity and scalability demands
Our Heritage
Billions of SMS messages. Billions of voice minutes. Robust infrastructure. Secure and reliable communication services that empower a connected society.
With more than two decades of experience as a leader in telecommunications, aql delivers innovative solutions in mobile messaging, IP telephony, and IoT connectivity. In addition to being a mobile network operator, our APIs enable businesses across all industries to go to market quicker, providing best in class integrations.
Full Carrier Neutrality
Our national network is carrier-neutral. Customers have freedom to choose their preferred network provider.
"We spent a lot of time finding a location and aql’s datacentre ticked all the boxes. The things that really stood out to us were, the location, having security present 24/7 in the building, and the thought that goes into everything the aql team does for its customers."
Chris Piggott
CEO of Synextra
Why Use Our Next-Gen Colocation?
Colocation is a cost-effective, safe, scalable way to maintain your IT infrastructure.
By leveraging aql’s Tier 3+ colocation services, you increase your uptime, entrusting us with the management of power, security, and maintenance for your servers and equipment. Let us worry about security and uptime while you gain access to our expansive, safe national network.
As a leading telecoms operator, our telephony API services are seamlessly accessible from any of our data centres, including messaging, voice, IoT, and mobile networking access.
This national network is supported by carrier neutrality, high performance computing, and our affiliation with the not-for-profit organisation, IX Leeds.
- Cost Savings
- Managed Service
- Reliability and Uptime
- Scalability
- Security
- Expert Support
Standard Data Centre Pathway vs aql Pathway to National Network
Our state-of-the-art, high-security data centres are strategically situated throughout Leeds, each exclusively owned and operated by aql. Each rack in our carrier neutral data centres allows access to our unique national network and scalable technologies.
National Network
Colocating at an aql data centre allows you access to our unique national network, including international PoPs (point of presence).
aql Points of Presence: Leeds
• Salem Chapel, Leeds(DC2 & DC3)
• Canon House, Leeds (DC5)
• The Calls, Leeds
• Capital Way, Leeds
• Elland, Leeds
aql Points of Presence: North
• Equinix Williams & Kilburn, Manchester
• Barton Dock, Manchester
• York
• Bracewell
• Bispham
aql Points of Presence: London
• Telehouse North
• Telehouse East
• Equinix, Meridian Gate
• Equinix, 6/7 Harbour Exchange
• Equinix, 8/9 Harbour Exchange
• Equinix, Sovereign House
• Equinix, Bonnington House
• Interxion Hanbury Street/Brick Lane
• Global Switch, Nutmeg Lane
• City Lifeline, Clifton Street
• Century Link, Goswell Road
• Century Link, Braham Street
• London Hosting Centre (Telstra)
aql Points of Presence: South
• Woodwalton, Cambridge
• Fawley
• Hounslow
aql Points of Presence: non-UK Sites
• NIK Amsterdam
• INX Frankfurt
• TH2 Paris
• Telecity 2 Amsterdam
• ManxIX Isle of Man
• Norway
• Denmark
• Salem Chapel, Leeds(DC2 & DC3)
• Canon House, Leeds (DC5)
• The Calls, Leeds
• Capital Way, Leeds
• Elland, Leeds
aql Points of Presence: North
• Equinix Williams & Kilburn, Manchester
• Barton Dock, Manchester
• York
• Bracewell
• Bispham
aql Points of Presence: London
• Telehouse North
• Telehouse East
• Equinix, Meridian Gate
• Equinix, 6/7 Harbour Exchange
• Equinix, 8/9 Harbour Exchange
• Equinix, Sovereign House
• Equinix, Bonnington House
• Interxion Hanbury Street/Brick Lane
• Global Switch, Nutmeg Lane
• City Lifeline, Clifton Street
• Century Link, Goswell Road
• Century Link, Braham Street
• London Hosting Centre (Telstra)
aql Points of Presence: South
• Woodwalton, Cambridge
• Fawley
• Hounslow
aql Points of Presence: non-UK Sites
• NIK Amsterdam
• INX Frankfurt
• TH2 Paris
• Telecity 2 Amsterdam
• ManxIX Isle of Man
• Norway
• Denmark
Carrier Neutrality
Our national network and infrastructure provide carrier-neutral access for all our customers.
"We spent a lot of time finding a location and aql’s datacentre ticked all the boxes. The things that really stood out to us were, the location, having security present 24/7 in the building, and the thought that goes into everything the aql team does for its customers."
Chris Piggott
CEO of Synextra
"Working with aql, we knew that security, power, fire suppression services and redundant links would all be taken care of, so we could focus on our work without having to worry."
Steve Rogers
Coventry University
Launched in September 2010, IX Leeds, is a unique, not-for-profit internet exchange. This dynamic data hub provides access to an extensive network of regional and national peers, whose objectives are to bolster network resilience, minimise latency, and curtail overall traffic backhaul costs towards London. Colocation customers gain access to free interconnects to IX Leeds, giving them the opportunity to peer with many of the UK’s IP connectivity providers.
Explore Our Data Centres
Situated in the heart of South Bank, Leeds, aql data centres boast a prime location for diverse physical fibre interconnects to all major national operators. Our data centres offer a Tier 3 solution, also meeting many Tier 4 criteria, which suitably means they are positioned as "Tier 3+ ." This enhanced rating ensures a more resilient and secure solution.
Salem Chapel
DC2
130m2
DC2 is located at Salem Chapel in Leeds, the same site as aql’s DC3. It operates independently to the Tier 3+ standard. This facility is primarily utilised for carriers.
DC3
230m2
DC3 is also a Tier 3+ high-capacity site, offering secure, high-quality, carrier-neutral colocation services and access to aql’s specialist network, resources and support.
Carnane DC
Located in Douglas, Isle of Man, the Carnane data centre is a high-capacity site that provides Tier 3+ data centre services on the Isle of Man.
Canon House
DC5
650m2
Based just outside of Leeds city centre, DC5 is a multi-storey facility designed for everything from standard hosting to high performance computing (HPC).
Shared Northern DC
650m2
In partnership with Jisc, aql offers members (including research and educational institutions) placement within the shared data centre north, located in DC5. This includes complimentary peering options to other members, as well as privileged access to our HPC facilities.
Rack Availability
Shared Rack
Used for smaller
businesses
1/4 Rack
Standard business dependent on requirements
1/2 Rack
Standard business dependent on requirements
Full Rack
Standard business dependent on requirements
Pods
Used by larger organisations such
as universities
Real Time Power Data
At aql, we offer next-gen services providing automation to help customers make informed decisions. Our intelligent IoT hardware is integrated into every rack, enabling us to accurately measure power usage. Our customer account centre allows users to also access this real-time data to see correlations between task completion, power usage, and resulting charges.
High-Performance Computing (HPC)
aql have industry leading capabilities with our purpose-built high-speed network, meticulously crafted for AI, voice, and data-intensive tasks. Our HPC facilities play an indispensable role for academic institutions and industries focusing on innovation.
Discover the power of our HPC offering across various domains:
- Conduct advanced scientific simulations
- Fulfil AI requirements
- Facilitate intricate financial modelling
- Harness machine learning (ML) applications
- Enable real-time processing of vast data volumes
Choosing to colocate with us not only grants access to our HPC capabilities but also ensures rapid, low-latency connectivity into aql’s national network.
Ensuring Data Security: Colocation Centre Safeguards
ISO 27001
aql’s information-security management system is ISO 27001 certified. As part of our commitment to safeguarding your data, we regularly conduct test scenarios to enhance our resilience against diverse natural and man-made disasters.
- Fire Protection
- Power Backup
- Cooling Protection
- Physical & Cyber Security
Since 2008, aql has fostered a robust partnership with Jisc, diligently shaping the technological landscape behind the northern shared data centre. DC5 stands as a beacon of connectivity, directly integrated into the core of the Janet network.
- Complimentary peering options
- Multiple 100Gb connections
- Privileged access to our state-of-the-art HPC
- Tailored solutions for data-intensive projects
"The partnership with aql means that our members can procure off-site data centre services that frees-up IT teams to better support staff and students. We look forward to working with aql ... via the framework and developing our relationship to deliver more cost-effective, energy-efficient and scalable services."
Alec Wright
Cloud and Data Centre Services Manager
Launched in September 2010, IX Leeds, is a unique, not-for-profit internet exchange. This dynamic data hub provides access to an extensive network of regional and national peers, whose objectives are to bolster network resilience, minimise latency, and curtail overall traffic backhaul costs towards London.
- Increase network resilience
- Reduce latency
- Decrease overall traffic backhaul costs toward London.
- Promotes cooperation between network operators
Want To Find Out More?
Speak to our data centre experts today.
