The Networking People (TNP) was formed in 2012 by staff from the highly successful LUNS Ltd (Lancaster University Network Services) following the University’s decision to consolidate its core business of teaching and education. TNP started life in the Infolab21 building at Lancaster University and since its formation TNP has continued to grow rapidly, in 2019 moving to completely refurbished premises on Caton Road in Lancaster.

Over the last decade, the TNP team has been involved in the build-out and management of some of the largest carrier networks in the North West, including CANLMAN (the North West Janet Metropolitan Area Network) and CLEO (Cumbria & Lancashire Education Online). The team was amongst the first to unbundle exchanges in the UK, starting in 2004 when Local Loop Unbundling (LLU) was in its infancy.