All UK Fibre Challengers articles
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Network & InfrastructureINCA hails altnet heroes as spectre of overbuild looms
In a punchy, positive report altnet industry group INCA hails “dynamic” altnets on a mission to bring “fairer, faster, and more resilient” connectivity to the UK, but competitive benefits may not be sustainable, and the spectre of ‘supervillain’ Openreach still looms large.
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M&ACityFibre returns to M&A with Connexin deal
Acquisition of network assets in Hull and surrounding region could see additional 184,000 premises passed by CityFibre network.
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M&A2025: the year UK FibreCo cash becomes king?
This year may see further billions injected into altnets to pump-prime M&A consolidation, while 2026 could start to see what the end-state looks like (third scale player or continued swarm).
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InterviewNeos Networks on renewal of its UK backbone for altnets, AI and hyperscalers
Neos Networks is reshaping its trajectory with a sharpened focus on optical connectivity and strategic partnerships like Project Reach with Network Rail. Learn how this SSE-Infracapital-backed UK backbone operator considers itself uniquely placed to leverage opportunities in AI-fuelled data centre expansion and altnet consolidation.
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Weekly BriefingsUK Infrawatch Weekly: CityFibre turns positive, HS2 gets connected, GoFibre Gigabit win
Project Gigabit, a Sky alliance, and the XGS-PON upgrade were all flagged as positive signs of CityFibre progress as it presented its latest annual results.
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M&ACityFibre confirms M&A outreach, predicts 2025 acceleration and ‘inflection point’
UK’s largest altnet actively engaging rival FibreCos to discuss rollup deals. Sees M&A as “major opportunity” to up competitive pressure on incumbent Openreach. Read more about financial execution, XGS-PON and Sky amongst defining 2025 aspects after first year of profitability
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InterviewCityFibre sees commercial promise, ‘moral obligation’ in Project Gigabit
CityFibre’s public sector lead Andy Nash talks to TelcoTitans on the altnet’s emergence as a strategic government supplier for Project Gigabit, answering “the big exam question” on going beyond initial goals, and the moral duty of delivering rural connectivity…
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M&AFullFibre, Zzoomm to form integrated altnet, fuel further M&A
UK fibre altnets to combine for a shared 600,000 ready for service network with 65,000 customers, adding FullFibre’s wholesale platform to Zzoomm’s retail.
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Weekly BriefingsInfrawatch Weekly: fibre retail goldrush, Ericsson and Nokia wins, space gets crowded
Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK and beyond, including Lit Fibre and AllPoints consider retail prospects; private equity keeps up data centre funding momentum; Boldyn brings positive vision to neutral hosting, and plenty more…
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Financial & PerformanceOpenreach raises full-fibre target despite capex and headcount cuts
Openreach is doing more with less as it sets a higher bar for full-fibre coverage for the year while shrinking capex and cutting jobs. Learn more…
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InterviewCuckoo MD sees national retail reach as vital in loosening Big 4’s fibre grip
Startup consumer‑focused fibre ISP Cuckoo is positioning itself as a national-scale player at a time when many UK peers are thinking local, underpinned by customer-centric Sarah Howells and the Kraken next-gen ops platform (also backed by Octopus Capital). Login to learn more…
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M&AUK altnet group AllPoints nabs new retail service provider Brillband
Fern Trading‑backed fibre altnet acquires Glasgow‑focused retail fibre startup, and backs plans for continued expansion.
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Financial & PerformanceClock ticking for UK altnet Spring Fibre as administration looms
A notice of intention to enter administration has been submitted, with the altnet having until the end of the week to find a solution for its financial situation or appoint an administrator.
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Financial & PerformanceCommunity Fibre keeps focus on customer connections with £125m funding windfall
London-based fibre altnet Community Fibre has secured £125m in debt financing but does not plan to ramp up network build, will instead use funds to support customer acquisition drive.
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Financial & PerformanceGrain claims to beat Openreach connection costs as EBITDA breakeven nears
UK fibre altnet frontloads capex to build to property boundaries, making for cheap connections when customers sign up, but Grain may be playing a high-risk game…
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Financial & PerformanceCityFibre on the hunt for more cash to fund capital-intensive fibre rollout
UK altnet’s debt and equity funding due to dry up next year, but talks ongoing with prospective investors for new cash.
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PeopleFreedom Fibre names new CEO as investors chip in £45m
Industry veteran Neil McArthur steps back from frontline as private equity fixer arrives to oversee next phase of commercialisation and integration at newly-merged altnet. Register to read more, incl. investor, financial backdrop…
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Public AffairsDeep dive: What UK FibreCos want from Labour gov’t
Fibre builders share what they want from the new Labour government, with policy consistency and demand-side support topping wishlists, divergence on the detail. Read more…
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Public AffairsUK Minister hints at fixes for FibreCos’ apartment access woes
Operators vent about barriers to accessing MDU access as new Telecoms Minister offers support for reforms, but little in the way of detail or firm commitments…
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Products & ServicesIn depth: One Touch Switching launch day
UK’s ‘imperfect’ fixed broadband migration hub debuts to mixed altnet reviews, and incumbent ISP win-back loophole only spotted on launch day. OTS broadly seen by many challengers as open season on majors with poor customer satisfaction, mixed with fears of race to bottom and weakness on multi-play (Sky and VM O2 are both bullish, too). Register to read…