Original article Total Telecom:Read More
MLL’s network services contract is in support of a digital unification ‘Network Alignment’ programme following Pobl Group’s recent merger with Linc Cymru, creating the largest housing association in Wales and to be rebranded Codi Group from January 2026. The newly expanded group will manage more than 24,000 homes in Wales with plans for growth to deliver more than 4,500 new homes over the next five years. The group employs more than 3,000 people and is a major contributor to the Welsh economy.
Ahead of the rebrand, MLL will transition around 200 Pobl and Linc Cymru MPLS legacy sites onto a unified, secure state-of-the-art SD-WAN network. This will feature a Zero-trust architecture with managed real-time threat detection and response, and integration with Azure Public Cloud for enabling seamless cross-organisation collaboration. The project is expected to make savings of more than £500,000 over the three-year period through streamlined procurement and infrastructure consolidation.
“This is about more than just technology – it’s about building a secure, scalable, and future-ready digital foundation for over 200 sites across Wales,” said Peter Murphy, Head of Technology Operations, Pobl Group. “By merging two legacy MPLS networks into a single SD-WAN managed service, we’re enabling seamless collaboration, enhanced cyber resilience and smarter service delivery for our teams and tenants alike.”
He added: “This has been a true cross-functional effort with procurement, technology, operations and our partners working together to ensure continuity, compliance and innovation at scale – all to be delivered securely within a tight six-month timeframe to ensure a year one ROI.”
Gail Harvey, MLL’s Business Development Director, said: “MLL are delighted to have won this significant UK housing association contract, especially in a competitive tender situation where quality rather than price alone were the deciding factors for Pobl in terms of our demonstrating leading-edge technology, engineering expertise and support, and customer service.
“In the immediate and longer term, we look forward to transitioning and managing Pobl’s and thereafter, Codi Group’s SD-WAN network, while also identifying further opportunities for adding value and innovation and to assisting Pobl with future initiatives. We also welcome the opportunity to support the Welsh community through the Pobl Trust, a registered charity that aims to improve the quality of life and create opportunities for people and communities in the areas where Pobl Group works.”
If this subject interests you, make sure you attend the Connectivity in social housing panel discussion at Connected Britain. Find out more here