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.
The UK government’s Barrier Busting Task Force aims to address increasing demand for high-speed internet by removing obstacles in deploying Gigabit upgrades in multi-dwelling units. This initiative, in collaboration with organizations like CityFibre and the Internet Service Providers’ Association, focuses on enhancing VoIP connectivity across the UK while simplifying access rights legislation.
At the Connected Britain 2025 event, the focus shifted to how efficiently UK’s fibre market is accessed, with integration platforms and aggregation networks offering solutions. Integration platforms bridge networks and providers via APIs, while aggregation networks consolidate multiple networks under one system. Both address challenges facing service providers, including navigating varying systems. However, their approaches differ: integration models enhance flexibility and choice, whereas aggregation models simplify management but may limit independence. As UK’s fibre rollout progresses, these strategies will shape future connectivity by balancing scale and flexibility, impacting service providers and consumers alike.
APFN has completed a major consolidation, merging five firms into two core entities: APFN for wholesale and Cuckoo for retail, both now owned by Fern Fibre. The company also launched aquila, a national fibre platform, and introduced new leadership, marking a pivotal shift toward streamlined operations and future growth in the UK.
