emPSN

What emPSN does

emPSN is a UK not-for-profit, member-owned broadband consortium founded circa 2000 and headquartered in Blisworth, Northamptonshire, that delivers managed connectivity, cybersecurity and safeguarding services to schools, Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) and public sector organisations across the East Midlands and adjacent regions. Its core product is managed broadband over FTTC, FTTP and fibre leased lines, delivered with Cisco routers and connected through the Janet Network to provide fortified internet access; on top of this it resells the Netsweeper web filtering platform and the AI-assisted OnGuard safeguarding monitoring tool, plus VoIP telephony, VPN remote access, DNS hosting, Malwarebytes endpoint protection and general IT support. The business operates a recurring subscription model, with services such as VPN publicly priced at £15 per user per annum (minimum 10 users, annual contract) and other services quoted on application; revenue is supplemented by capital grants such as the approximately £4.4m awarded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport for the Rural Gigabit Connectivity programme that connected 126 rural schools.

The go-to-market is direct-to-customer via phone and email (01604 879869, [email protected]) targeting schools, MATs and local authorities, supplemented by content marketing, e-safety webinars, a newsletter and an active Twitter/LinkedIn presence. Strategic partners include Netsweeper (filtering and OnGuard), Nasstar (managed services and VoIP delivery), Jisc (Janet Network access and CSIRT support), UKCLOUD8 (cloud platform), Cisco (routing hardware), NCSC and DfE (guidance and standards) and DCMS (grant funding). On 31 October 2026 emPSN will cease trading after nearly 25 years of operation, with existing services continuing until that date and no new customer quotes being issued; the company attributes the closure to the diminished role of regional consortia as connectivity across the region has advanced and many member schools have transitioned to alternative providers.

Name

emPSN

Legal name

emPSN

Website

https://empsn.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

emPSN is a UK not-for-profit broadband consortium that delivers managed connectivity, web filtering, AI-assisted safeguarding monitoring, VoIP, VPN and IT support to schools, Multi-Academy Trusts and public sector organisations, and is ceasing trading on 31 October 2026.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Managed Education Broadband Services

NAICS

All Other Telecommunications (5178)

SIC

Communications Services, Nec (4899), Telephone Communications (No Radiotelephone) (4813)

akta.pro primary industry

Fiber ISPs (FTTH/FTTP Retail Providers) (HDAIADAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Managed MPLS VPN Services (HDAIAFAA)

Keywords

• Managed broadband services
• School web filtering
• Education cybersecurity
• VoIP phone services
• Multi-academy trust networks

Headquarters

HQ city

Blisworth

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Broadband Connectivity Services: Managed broadband connectivity services for schools, including FTTC, FTTP, and fibre leased lines. Revenue generated from ongoing service charges (line rental) paid by schools, often at same or lower cost than previous services.
2. Managed Security Services: Cybersecurity services including web filtering, monitoring, DNS hosting, and Malwarebytes distribution for schools.
3. VoIP Phone Services: Voice over IP telephone services for schools transitioning from PSTN.
4. IT Support Services: Technical support services for schools and public sector organizations.
5. VPN Services: Remote access VPN service with per-user annual pricing and setup fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

emPSN is a not-for-profit, member-owned broadband connectivity and managed security provider serving UK schools, Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs), and public sector organizations. Its core offering combines managed broadband (FTTC, FTTP and fibre leased lines) with Netsweeper-based web filtering, AI-powered safeguarding monitoring, VoIP phone services, VPN remote access, DNS hosting, Malwarebytes antivirus, and IT support — all delivered through integration with the Janet Network.

Product overview

emPSN is a not-for-profit broadband connectivity provider for schools, Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs), and the public sector. The company offers a portfolio of managed connectivity and security services built around its core broadband infrastructure. Core offerings include managed broadband connectivity (FTTC, FTTP, and fibre leased lines) integrated with Netsweeper web filtering and OnGuard AI-powered monitoring. Additional services include VoIP phone services, VPN remote access, DNS hosting, Malwarebytes antivirus, and IT support. emPSN connects schools to the Janet Network providing enhanced security and threat detection. The company operates as a not-for-profit public good company owned by its member organizations and is ceasing operations on October 31, 2026.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Managed Broadband Connectivity Managed broadband connectivity services for schools, Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs), and public sector organizations. Includes FTTC (Fibre to the Cabinet), FTTP (Fibre to the Premises/full fibre), and dedicated fibre leased lines with symmetric speeds. Includes Cisco routers delivered directly to customer sites for installation. Connects schools to the Janet Network for fortified internet and real-time threat detection.
• Netsweeper Web Filtering KCSiE (Keeping Children Safe in Education) compliant web filtering service that blocks inappropriate content and provides configurable filtering policies. Runs on UKCLOUD8 platform (ukcloud8e.netsweeper.com) following migration from legacy infrastructure. Customers access the Netsweeper webadmin portal to amend settings and capture logs.
• Netsweeper OnGuard Monitoring & Alerting AI-powered student protection monitoring and alerting software that proactively supervises online activity and provides targeted alerts to Safeguarding Leads for potential risks such as abuse, bullying, grooming, mental health concerns, and self-harm. Combines AI detection with human verification for accuracy.
• Cyber Security for Schools Security services protecting school networks and devices, including Critical Services Protection leveraging the Janet Network for fortified internet with real-time threat detection. Forms part of emPSN's broader security portfolio aligned with NCSC and DfE standards.
• VoIP UC Phone Services Voice over IP telecommunications service specifically designed for schools and trusts. emPSN UC solution is PSTN-switch-off ready, helping schools transition from legacy PSTN services ahead of the January 31, 2027 industry-wide switch-off. Jointly provided with Nasstar.
• VPN Remote Access Secure VPN service providing remote access to school networks from home or other locations, using native OS VPN software (Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android). Minimum 10 users for annual contract at £15 per user per annum, or up to 3 users for 3-year contract at £50 annually. £250 one-off setup charge.
• DNS Hosting Services DNS hosting services provided as part of emPSN's web services offering for schools and public sector organizations.
• Malwarebytes Endpoint Protection Antivirus and malware protection service using Malwarebytes, offered as part of emPSN's security portfolio for schools and public sector organizations.
• IT Support Services Technical support services for schools, MATs, and public sector customers, providing day-to-day helpdesk and operational IT assistance.

Quantifiable outcome

• Full fibre gigabit connectivity to 126 rural schools in Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability2 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• NetsweepercoreTechnology or IntegrationNetsweeper is a leading provider of online filter and digital safety solutions worldwide that protect over 1.2 billion users in their network. emPSN partners with Netsweeper to provide web filtering and the OnGuard monitoring and alerting software for schools.
• NasstarcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerManaged Service Provider handling data centre operations, network infrastructure, and service delivery including planned maintenance and incident management. Nasstar conducts London Data Centre relocations and manages VPN services for emPSN customers.
• JisccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork partner providing security monitoring, vulnerability advisories (Log4Shell, etc.), training opportunities for education staff, certificate framework services, and access to Janet Network. Jisc CSIRT provides incident response support.
• UKCloud8coreTechnology or IntegrationCloud infrastructure platform hosting Netsweeper filtering services following migration. emPSN Cloud (ukcloud8e.netsweeper.com) provides policy server and NSProxy services.
• CiscosupportingTechnology or IntegrationCisco provides routers for FTTC connections, delivered directly to customer sites for installation.
• Department for Education (DfE)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDfE collaborated on the Rural Gigabit Connectivity programme and provides cybersecurity standards guidance. Jointly undertaking research with DSIT on cyber-attack impacts on educational institutions.
• National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCSC provides cybersecurity guidance, training resources, and alerts for the education sector. emPSN references NCSC guidance in their cybersecurity content for schools.
• Secureworks Counter Threat UnitsupportingTechnology or IntegrationSecurity research partner providing vulnerability analysis, threat intelligence on active exploitation campaigns (LockBit, Citrix Bleed, etc.), and recommended mitigation actions.
• Telehouse SouthsupportingTechnology or IntegrationData centre provider (GPDC) hosting Netsweeper filtering services following migration from Node 4 infrastructure.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• Netsweeper: Provider of the web filtering and OnGuard monitoring platform that emPSN resells/integrates to schools — adjacent rather than competing, but a key enabling technology peer for the safeguarding proposition.

Direct peers

• SWGfL (South West Grid for Learning): Not-for-profit organisation delivering broadband, filtering, monitoring and online safety services to UK schools and MATs — operates on the same regional-consortium, member-owned basis as emPSN.
• RM Education (RM plc): UK provider of managed IT, connectivity and safeguarding services to schools and MATs — comparable product breadth (broadband, filtering, cybersecurity, IT support) targeting the same education customer base as emPSN.
• NYnet: Regional broadband provider serving North Yorkshire's public sector, including schools and councils — closely comparable to emPSN's regional-consortium model for school and public-sector connectivity.
• LGfL (London Grid for Learning): UK not-for-profit regional broadband and safeguarding consortium providing connectivity, web filtering and cybersecurity services to schools and MATs — directly comparable operating model to emPSN at a London-focused scale.
• Gamma Communications: UK provider of voice, data and managed connectivity services with a significant education vertical — comparable VoIP/UC and broadband offering aimed at UK schools transitioning off PSTN.

Broad incumbents

• Nasstar: UK managed service provider handling data centre, network and service operations for emPSN, and also delivering its own school VoIP and managed connectivity solutions — comparable managed-services footprint to emPSN.
• Virgin Media O2 Business: Major UK connectivity and telephony provider serving schools and public-sector customers, including competing for MAT and council contracts that have historically been served by emPSN.
• Jisc: UK not-for-profit providing the Janet Network and a portfolio of connectivity, security and digital services to education and research — overlaps with emPSN's core broadband and Janet-fed offering at a national scale.
• BT (Openreach / BT Education): Incumbent UK carrier whose broadband, Ethernet and Janet-fed services are a primary alternative provider for schools and councils in emPSN's regions, driving the member migration cited in the wind-down rationale.

Market position

Strengths2 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/empsn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/empsn

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 emPSN