In a strategic move to bolster its network reach, alternative fibre builder CityFibre has successfully acquired Lit Fibre, marking the first step in its plan to consolidate within the UK’s burgeoning altnet sector. Lit Fibre, known for its vertically integrated model encompassing both network construction and ISP services, currently serves over 220,000 premises across more than 20 towns in several regions.
In a bold move that underscores its commitment to leading the UK’s fibre optic expansion, CityFibre has acquired Lit Fibre, a smaller but significant player in the market. This strategic acquisition is set to boost CityFibre’s reach by an additional 300,000 premises, signaling a significant step in its quest to become the nation’s third major infrastructure platform, alongside giants like Virgin Media O2 and Openreach.
CityFibre’s new, True Gig provides a 1.2 Gbps wholesale service, aiming to clear the haze in UK telecommunications advertising and help ISPs deliver gigabit broadband services to their customers. This offering not only circumvents stringent advertising regulations but also supports CityFibre’s vision of an honest high-speed fibre network. The question posed is, will this clear the muddy waters of broadband advertising while promoting a fibre revolution in the UK?
CityFibre teams up with four civil engineering firms to aid challenging fibre infrastructure projects in the UK, courtesy of recent government funding. This alliance hastens fibre infrastructure development across several counties, marking Cambridgeshire as the initial rollout area. Noteworthy, however, is the lack of equivalent high-speed, Gigabit-capable infrastructure in these areas before. Although progress has been steady with Project Gigabit, this new venture signals a grand advancement towards achieving nationwide high-speed connectivity.
CityFibre’s full fibre network in the UK now reaches 3 million premises, a rapid expansion when considering it connected 2 million just a year earlier. Recent key milestones include securing wayleave permissions and financial support totalling nearly half a billion pounds. Technological strides include the market launch of its XGS-PON service offering potential speeds up to 10Gbps. As these advancements continue to transform broadband, stay tuned for updates.
UK-based CityFibre has acquired a significant £318 million in public funding, aiming to increase high-speed broadband access nationwide. Supported by the government’s Project Gigabit, funds were awarded for bring fibre connectivity to selected regions needing better broadband access. A challenging and expensive task, especially in rural areas, but this initiative could shine a beacon of connected hope. Is the government’s £5 billion goal achievable? Read on to explore the potential impact of this massive contribution to rural telecommunications.
CityFibre secures wayleave permissions to connect over a million locally-owned and housing association homes, reducing the digital divide and providing essential digital infrastructure. Collaborations with organizations like Places for People aim to support those struggling with the cost of living and staying online.
Netomnia has merged with Brsk, forming the UK’s second-largest alternative network provider after CityFibre. This merger creates a network footprint of 1.5 million premises ready for service (RFS), aiming to reach 3 million by next year. Supported by £1.2 billion in debt funding, the merger combines complementary networks to enhance market position and service delivery, emphasizing expansion and innovation.
The landscape of fibre broadband in the UK is rapidly evolving, with over a fifth of premises now enjoying the choice of two or more fibre broadband providers. This development can be attributed to the efforts of alternative network operators across the country.Recent data from Point Topic reveals that nearly two thirds of UK premises, totaling 20.4 million, now have access to fibre broadband as of March-end.
A recent market study by INCA (Independent Networks Cooperative Association) and Point Topic reveals that alternative network builders in the UK have collectively expanded fibre infrastructure to more premises than BT’s Openreach unit. By the end of 2023, UK altnets had reached 12.9 million premises with fibre, exceeding Openreach’s coverage of 12.8 million.
