More than 5.5 million homes and businesses can now connect to an independent fibre broadband network according to the figures, released yesterday.
Compiled for the Independent Networks Co-operative Association (INCA) by Point Topic using data provided by independent network operators across the country, this year’s ‘Metrics for the UK independent network sector’ report shows the sector has again doubled in size over the previous year.
The independent sector continues to pull in significant sums of private funding with investment and expenditure commitments predicted to reach £17.7bn by the end of 2025. When combined with the £12bn announced by BT group, the £5bn announced by government and £2bn planned by VMO2, investment levels will exceed the previous estimates of £30bn for bringing next generation networks to every property in the UK.
“This continued high level of investment, coupled with commitments from others in the private sector like BT and Virgin Media, and the money being put in by government, shows that the UK is on track, for the first time in its history, to have proper broadband infrastructure competition,” said INCA’s chief executive, Malcolm Corbett.
The report also details operators’ concerns, which include planning and streetworks delays; the threat of overbuild from taxpayer-funded Project Gigabit procurements; delivery times for services from Openreach or other operators; getting wayleaves; the impact of BDUK’s pause on community-led ISPs Gigabit Vouchers; and access to skills and labour.
INCA chairman Alex Blowers said the report shows the ‘increasing maturity’ of the independent broadband sector, describing the sector as a ‘key partner in the delivery of a 21st century digital UK.’
“It is now crucial that the government and Ofcom ensure momentum is maintained, by evolving the underlying policy and regulatory framework in support of the infrastructure competition that has now arrived in the UK,” Blowers added.
Commenting on the news, Giganet’s CEO Jarlath Finnegan said that it is ‘reassuring to see such high-level investment from independent broadband providers propelling the UK forward in the delivery of nationwide full fibre infrastructure’.
“This future-proofing endeavour requires a diverse and competitive independent offering. As the sector doubles in size and benefits from continued growth, this can only help to drive competition, improve standards and ultimately benefit customers,” Finnegan commented.
Finnegan added that Giganet is on track to connect 500,000 customers over the next three years, priding itself on its flexible contracts and promise to abolish exit fees and mid-contract price rises.