What Cara Network Solutions does

Cara Network Solutions is a Belfast-based information technology company operating as a specialist division of Crown Infrastructure Group, delivering integrated network infrastructure, unified communications, and cybersecurity services to organisations across the UK and Ireland. The portfolio spans passive network design (structured copper and fibre cabling, FTTD, FTTO, campus fibre, blown fibre installations), active networking (managed switching and routing, business-grade WiFi, VLAN segmentation, SD-WAN), full-fibre connectivity (FTTP, leased lines, SoGEA), and unified communications built on FortiVoice and NFON cloud telephony with Microsoft Teams integration via Operator Connect and Direct Routing. Security services combine Fortinet-powered next-generation firewalls with BullWall's agentless ransomware containment across SAN, NAS, application and database servers.

The technology stack is multi-vendor rather than proprietary: Cara deploys and integrates best-of-breed components from Fortinet, NFON, BullWall, Dell, HP, Microsens, and major UK/Ireland carriers (BT, O2, Sky, Virgin Media, Vodafone). The proprietary asset is the CaraCare three-tier support programme (CaraCare, CaraCare Plus, CaraCare Pro), which wraps connectivity, voice, networking, and cybersecurity platforms into tiered recurring managed-service contracts with system monitoring, firmware updates, security policy updates, performance reporting, and proactive escalation.

The business model blends project-based infrastructure installation (fibre and active networking rollouts, FTTO/GPON design) with recurring managed services (hosted telephony per-user subscriptions, CaraCare monthly contracts, BullWall monitoring, business mobile tariffs). GTM is sales-led: dedicated Sales Directors for Networking and Voice, a Business Development Manager for UK and Ireland, a Client Director for international accounts, all supported by direct enquiry channels (website, phone, email) with a stated 1-business-day response commitment. Customer segments are enterprise, public sector, education and SMB, with named but undisclosed end-customer logos in healthcare, education, and commercial/industrial verticals. The company holds the Northern Ireland Specialist Contractor of the Year title from 2019 and competes on a technology-agnostic, integration-led positioning rather than vendor lock-in.

Name

Cara Network Solutions

Legal name

Cara Network Solutions

Website

https://cara-ns.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cara Network Solutions is a Belfast-based IT services firm and specialist division of Crown Infrastructure Group delivering integrated network infrastructure, unified communications, cybersecurity and managed support to enterprises, public sector, education and SMB customers across the UK and Ireland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Network Infrastructure Services

NAICS

Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths) (561621)

SIC

Communications Services, Nec (4899)

akta.pro primary industry

Network & Infrastructure for Security Systems (Cabling, PoE, Wireless, Edge Compute) (BPAKAGAI)

Keywords

• Business telecoms services
• Network infrastructure
• Managed IT support
• Cybersecurity services
• Unified communications

Headquarters

HQ city

Belfast

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Business Telecoms and VoIP: PBX, VoIP and unified communications including FortiVoice, NFON cloud telephony, Microsoft Teams integration, SIP trunking, hosted voice, and business mobile services. Recurring monthly costs for hosted/cloud services with per-user or tiered pricing.
2. Managed IT Support (CaraCare): Tiered support programme (CaraCare, CaraCare Plus, CaraCare Pro) providing remote technical support, system monitoring, firmware updates, configuration assistance, priority support response, security policy updates, performance reporting, proactive system management, and strategic technical guidance. Recurring revenue from monthly or annual support contracts.
3. Network Security Services: Ransomware containment powered by BullWall, Fortinet-powered firewall solutions, secure network architecture, continuous monitoring, policy optimisation, and integration with connectivity and VoIP infrastructure. May include one-time deployment and ongoing monitoring/subscription fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Cara Network Solutions designs, installs and supports business connectivity, voice, networking and cybersecurity infrastructure for UK and Ireland organisations. The company delivers fibre installations, structured cabling, business broadband, cloud telephony (NFON, FortiVoice), managed networking (Fortinet-powered) and ransomware containment (BullWall), combined with its tiered CaraCare managed support programme.

Product overview

Cara Network Solutions is a specialist division of Crown Infrastructure Group delivering intelligent and sustainable network and voice architecture platforms across the UK and Ireland. The portfolio is structured as an integrated services approach combining: connectivity services (Full Fibre to the Premises/FTTP, Full Fibre Installation, and Blown Fibre Installations for secure, full-fibre business connectivity); networking infrastructure (Passive Network Design and Active Networking with Fortinet-powered next-generation firewall protection); unified communications (FortiVoice unified communications platform, NFON Cloud Telephony with AI analytics, Microsoft Teams integration via NFON, SIP Trunking, and Business Mobile Solutions); security services (BullWall Ransomware Containment); and managed support (CaraCare support tiers in three levels from basic to Pro). The offerings integrate across these domains to provide unified connectivity, voice, and security solutions for UK and Ireland businesses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Full Fibre to the Premises (FTTP)
• Full Fibre Installation
• Blown Fibre Installations
• Business Telecoms
• NFON Cloud Telephony
• FortiVoice Unified Communications
• Business Mobile Solutions
• Passive Network Design
• Active Networking
• Next-Generation Firewall Protection (Fortinet)
• Ransomware Containment (BullWall)
• CaraCare Managed Support

Quantifiable outcome

• Automated ransomware containment isolates compromised devices within seconds to prevent lateral spread
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability7 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• FortinetcoreTechnology or IntegrationFortinet provides trusted security technology supporting secure, scalable and high-performance network deployments. Cara deploys Fortinet-powered firewall solutions for next-generation firewall protection, secure VPN access, web filtering, deep inspection, and policy management. Partnership includes FortiVoice unified communications platform integration, with FortiVoice Gateway providing local survivability for business continuity.
• NFONcoreTechnology or IntegrationNFON is a cloud telephony provider offering AI-powered cloud phone systems. Cara operates as an NFON partner, helping businesses move to flexible cloud services with AI tools. Provides NFON Cloud Telephony, AI-powered analytics, call recording and monitoring with compliance features (FCA, MiFID II, PCI-DSS), and Microsoft Teams integration via Operator Connect and Direct Routing.
• BullWallcoreTechnology or IntegrationBullWall provides ransomware containment technology powered by AI/ML-based detection. Cara operates as a BullWall partner, designing, deploying and integrating ransomware containment solutions with existing controls. BullWall adds a last line of defence at the file layer, detecting illicit encryption and triggering automated isolation within seconds. Cara can also coordinate with Fortinet on complementary content and architecture.
• Crown Infrastructure GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCrown Infrastructure Group (also referred to as Crown group of companies) is the parent company of Cara Network Solutions. Cara is described as a specialist division of the Crown Infrastructure Group, which provides over 30 years of experience in secure networking, fibre infrastructure, and enterprise WiFi. The parent company's resources and track record support Cara's operations across UK and Ireland.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• ANS Group: UK managed cloud, security, and infrastructure services provider for enterprise and public sector. Directly comparable in public-sector focus and managed security practice.
• Exponential-e: UK managed network, cloud, and unified communications specialist serving enterprise and public sector. Comparable converged connectivity, UC, and security managed services portfolio.
• BCN Group: UK IT managed services, connectivity, and unified communications provider for SMB and mid-market. Overlapping UC, connectivity, and managed IT support offerings.
• Node4: UK managed cloud, connectivity, and security services provider with own network footprint. Comparable combination of network, voice, and managed security offerings for UK mid-market and enterprise.
• Daisy Group: UK business telecoms, connectivity, cloud, and managed IT services provider for SMB and enterprise. Directly comparable unified communications, connectivity, and managed support offerings.
• Softcat plc: UK IT reseller and managed services provider selling networking, security, cloud, and unified communications to mid-market and enterprise customers across the UK and Ireland. Closely comparable GTM motion, multi-vendor technology partner model, and customer mix.
• Onecom: UK unified communications, mobile, and connectivity provider for mid-market and enterprise customers. Comparable UC, mobile, and managed services portfolio targeting the same UK regional customer base.

Emerging players

• Trust Stamp: While not a direct competitor, the broader UK cyber/identity market overlap makes Trust Stamp relevant as an emerging UK/NI technology partner ecosystem participant with Crown group ties.

Broad incumbents

• Computacenter plc: Large UK-headquartered IT infrastructure, networking, and managed services provider with global reach. Overlaps on enterprise networking, security, and UC integration as part of a much broader portfolio.

Others

• Crown Commercial Service (framework): UK public-sector procurement framework that channels much of the public-sector networking and UC spend Cara targets. Important ecosystem participant for Cara's go-to-market even though not a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/caransltd
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cara-network-solutions

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cara Network Solutions