Lightning Fibre CEO Stefan Stanislawski has shared details of the altnet’s new connections-focused strategy, following news of its change in ownership earlier this week.
Thu, 16/06/2022 - 12:12
The UK’s altnets have reached 5.5 million premises, a 111% growth year-on-year, and are expected to reach 11.5m premises by the end of 2022.
For the first time, the total number of live connections provided by the altnets is above one million. These are the findings of this year’s Metrics for the UK independent network sector, compiled for the Independent Networks Co-operative Association (INCA) by Point Topic.
The report reveals that investment and expenditure commitments are predicted to reach £17.7bn by the end of 2025. Alongside BT Group, government and VM02, investment levels will hit £36.7bn.
INCA’s CEO, Malcolm Corbett (pictured) said: “This shows that the UK is on track, for the first time in its history, to have proper broadband infrastructure competition.
“Independent network operators are a key piece of this connectivity jigsaw which will offer consumers real choice and drive innovation in the broadband services they consume.”
As the rollout continues, independent network operators share their biggest concerns, with wayleave concerns waning for other operational obstacles.
The top two concerns are planning and street works delays; and the threat of overbuild from other operators through Project Gigabit procurements.
Other issues include delivery times for services from Openreach or other operators, BDUK’s pause on community-led ISPs Gigabit Vouchers, access to skills and labour post-Brexit and Openreach’s long-term FTTP pricing offer, Equinox.
Alex Blowers, Chair INCA, said: “Big plans are being turned into live networks benefitting our communities and businesses across the country.
“Obviously there are challenges, many of which are noted in the report, but overall, this is an exciting time as we move decisively from fund-raising and planning, to execution and delivery.”
