Aql (company) explained

aql is a telecommunications company based in Leeds, UK. It is principally known for operating carrier neutral data centres, and for providing services relating to colocation, mobile messaging, IP telephony, and secure mobile connectivity for the internet of things (IoT).[1]

The company's head office is located at the historic Salem Chapel in Hunslet, Leeds.[2]

Type:Private
Industry:Telecommunications
Founded:1998
Founder:Professor Adam Beaumont
Hq Location City:Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire
Hq Location Country:England
Key People: CEO
Professor Adam Beaumont

Company history

aql was founded in 1998 by former University of Leeds lecturer and Ministry of Defence communications specialist Professor Adam Beaumont[3] [4] [5] as a domain name registrar and email and web hosting company.[6] [7]

By 2003, aql had expanded into wholesale telecommunications, supplying UK phone numbers to the broadband industry to support IP telephony/VoIP services, providing mobile messaging services and supplying wholesale messaging platforms to international and UK networks. The company is responsible for more than 94 million numbers on 42 different telecoms networks. It also hosts 40 million UK numbers for voice services.

Beaumont purchased Salem Chapel in 2009.[8] [9] The Grade II listed building was renovated and restored to house aql's head office, including two data centres, an exhibition space and a conference facility.[5] [10]

The firm had a turnover of £7 million and employed around 40 people in 2013.[5]

Also in 2013, aql announced plans to invest £43 million to build a data centre on the former site of Yorkshire Chemicals in Hunslet, Leeds.[5] [11]

The company acquired a 57,000 sq ft former council building located at South Point, Leeds for around half a million pounds in 2015. The company announced plans to convert the site into another data centre.[4]

In September 2015, aql purchased Isle of Man-based BlueWave Communications following the death of its founder, former The Apprentice contestant Stuart Baggs.[12] [13]

In March 2017, aql won the contract to serve the UK's universities, colleges and teaching hospitals with secure data storage via a framework contract operated by Jisc.[14] [15]

aql unveiled its first autonomous vehicle in April 2018, and announced a consortium of partners, including Gulf Oil, the University of Leeds, Leeds and Bradford city councils, Citu and CitiPark, to trial the vehicles in Leeds.[16]

IXLeeds

Since 2011, one of aql's Salem Chapel data centres has housed the Leeds internet exchange, IXLeeds. IXLeeds is the UK's only fully independent internet exchange outside London.[5] [17] [18] Beaumont co-founded the exchange, and serves as company secretary.[19]

Leeds' WiFi telephone boxes

In 2013, aql reconditioned 24 Giles Gilbert Scott-designed red telephone boxes.[20] The boxes were painted blue, converted into solar-powered free WiFi access points, and placed around Leeds city centre.[21]

The boxes are known as Leeds Electronic Ordnance and Digital Information System, or LEODIS, after the old English name for the city of Leeds.

In July 2017, aql announced that the initiative had seen 100,000 unique users since its introduction.[22]

Sponsorship and local support

In May 2017, aql was announced as the Communications Sponsor for Lendy Cowes Week 2017.[23] In addition to sponsoring the event, aql competed in the 50-nautical mile race around the Isle of Wight. CEO Adam Beaumont was joined at the helm by blind sailor Lucy Hodges .[24] [25] In June 2018 it was announced that aql had struck a 5-year deal[26] to continue sponsoring the event.

Also in May 2017, aql was among the local companies to offer support and financial backing to Leeds' bid to become European Capital of Culture 2023.[27] [28]

Since 2000, aql has sponsored a live webcam overlooking Millennium Square, Leeds.[29]

The company is a patron of Leeds Community Foundation.[30]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: A cyber city dream for Leeds. yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk. 4 December 2017.
  2. Web site: Tech giant aql hosts first Digital Leaders event out of the capital. yorkshirepost.co.uk. 23 August 2017.
  3. News: Superfast broadband trial. Baron. John. 26 February 2010. The Guardian. 23 August 2017. 0261-3077.
  4. Web site: AQL expands data centre campus with ex-council building. yorkshirepost.co.uk. 23 August 2017.
  5. Web site: Profile: Adam Beaumont. yorkshirepost.co.uk. 23 August 2017.
  6. News: Northern Growth Accelerators project with Sarah Tulip of aql. 24 August 2017. Yorkshire. 24 August 2017.
  7. Web site: Professor Adam Beaumont, Eden Trustee. edenproject.com. 15 September 2017. 25 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170825192322/http://www.edenproject.com/node/253629. dead.
  8. News: Where did it all start for Leeds United?. Time Out Leeds. 24 August 2017.
  9. Web site: aql: The History of Salem Chapel, aql Head Office and data centre – Data Centre Alliance. data-central.org. 23 August 2017.
  10. Web site: Salem Chapel events space.
  11. News: Leeds to host £43m data hub TheBusinessDesk.com. 23 November 2012. Yorkshire. 23 August 2017.
  12. Web site: Firm owned by Apprentice star Baggs bought by Leeds company. yorkshirepost.co.uk. 23 August 2017.
  13. News: AQL buys company after death of Apprentice star TheBusinessDesk.com. 23 September 2015. Yorkshire. 23 August 2017.
  14. Web site: Digitalisation World. digitalisationworld.com. 6 March 2017 . 24 August 2017.
  15. News: aql's new datacentre to make Leeds 'a hub for digital development in the North'. Bdaily Business News. 24 August 2017.
  16. News: Plans unveiled to trial 'super-connected' self-driving PODs in Leeds city centre. Bdaily Business News. 8 June 2018.
  17. Web site: Digital Economy Recovery Report.
  18. Web site: An IXP in Leeds?.
  19. Web site: IXLeeds, Leeds Internet Exchange. ixleeds.net. 24 August 2017.
  20. News: Leeds to get Doctor Who-style phone boxes with free Wi-Fi. CNET. 23 August 2017.
  21. News: Leeds Is Invaded By Curious Blue Phone Boxes BBC America. BBC America. 23 August 2017.
  22. Web site: Did you know.. our #scifiwifi free #Leeds #wifi network has had over 100,000 unique users since we installed it. And many regular users !. aql. 18 July 2017. @aqldotcom. 14 September 2017.
  23. Web site: aql Announced as Communications Sponsor for Cowes Week. Limited. Cowes Week. lendycowesweek.co.uk. 23 August 2017.
  24. News: Sailing star steers aql into their first year at Cowes Week TheBusinessDesk.com. 11 August 2017. Yorkshire. 23 August 2017.
  25. Web site: Yorkshire man and crew raising funds for Blind Sailing in Round the Island. Yachts and Yachting Online. 23 August 2017.
  26. News: AQL STRIKES 5-YEAR SPONSORSHIP DEAL WITH LENDY COWES WEEK – Island Echo – 24hr news, 7 days a week across the Isle of Wight. 8 June 2018. Island Echo – 24hr news, 7 days a week across the Isle of Wight. 29 November 2018.
  27. Web site: Big corporate names support city's bid to become European Capital of Culture. yorkshirepost.co.uk. 24 August 2017.
  28. News: £100,000 boost for Leeds Capital of Culture bid as more sponsors line up. 17 May 2017. Yorkshire. 24 August 2017.
  29. Web site: Pages – Millennium Cam. Government of the United Kingdom. 14 September 2017.
  30. Web site: Membership List. leedscf.org.uk. 4 December 2017.