EMPSN Closure

[Wave9_Lee]

EMPSN is closing it's doors.  https://www.empsn.org.uk/service-closure-faq/

 

Unusually for this type of thing, they've given plenty of warning, so the change for schools shouldn't be too challenging.  Needless to say, Wave 9 can offer a replacement set of services - if any schools need some advice or pricing, please reach out.

[enbiggen]

It's weird getting this information here first, as no-one's been in contact with our school as far as we're aware.

 

We should be covered by this line from their FAQ:

Quote

 

What if my contract is due to end after October 2026?

Due to contractual obligations with suppliers, we are seeking to novate your contract to a new provider. Over the coming months, we will provide an update on this process.

 

 

Admittedly this removes a degree of autonomy (and forced me to look up what "novate" meant 🙂)

 

We only moved to them at the start of the year after our council shuttered their school internet connection service, recommending empsn. 😞

Edited November 3, 2025 by enbiggen

[Wave9_Lee]

8 minutes ago, enbiggen said:

It's weird getting this information here first, as no-one's been in contact with our school as far as we're aware.

 

We should be covered by this line from their FAQ:

 

Admittedly this removes a degree of autonomy (and forced me to look up what "novate" meant 🙂)

 

We only moved to them at the start of the year after our council shuttered their school internet connection service, recommending empsn. 😞

 

Yeah I was surprised it wasn't mentioned on here earier either.. perhaps lots of people had left already.

 

I would assume your novation might be direct to Nasstar, the underlying provider today (previously KCOM) - But I understand there are other services outside of connectivity to consider too.

[bitznpcz]

I'm guessing that things will just move to Nasstar, Netsweeper/ekte etc...

 

Not sure what happens with the DNS and website hosting though? Hopefully we will get more information ASAP to allow us to make an informed choice...

 

Hopefully the staff will get redeployed as well.

[GrumbleDook]

When I saw the bit about routers ... I had horrid flashbacks of having to collect a few hundred of them from schools, and then flash them all before they could be disposed of. 

[Jay241]

Well wasn't aware of this till now... 

 

Lets hope the new provider they pass us over to will be decent enough, as we fall under the finishing contract after October 2026.

[enbiggen]

Well, they've updated us (we had a contract after October 2026) - it looks like they won't be continuing service or novating the contract, so we're looking for something else now.

[Wave9_Lee]

If any schools in Derbyshire are looking for new provision, we're working closely with DCC to ensure a smooth transition.  Drop me a PM or reach out if you'd like information,