Voneus Connect First Wireless Gigabit Broadband Users on Walney

Rural alternative network builder and ISP Voneus, which aims to cover 370,000 premises via both their gigabit-capable fixed wireless access (FWA) and full fibre (FTTP) broadband networks, has connected the first customer to their new wireless network on Walney Island in Cumbria (England) – just 8 weeks after they started building (here).

Assuming all goes to plan, then the build could eventually end up connecting around 4,700 homes, many of which currently lack access to gigabit-capable broadband. The network itself, which is working with the Westmorland and Furness Council to install kit on top of local lighting columns (i.e. avoiding lots of disruptive street works), is capable of 1Gbps (symmetric) speeds and is set to be Cambium’s largest 60GHz cnWave wireless network in Europe.

Customers of the new wireless network can expect to pay from £29.99 per month (normally £38.99) for symmetric speeds of 250Mbps (inc. free router and installation), which rises to £59.99 for 900Mbps (normally £74.99). The first three months of service are being offered for free and the provider is pledging no mid-contract price rises on their 24-month term.

Voneus is working closely with the community on Walney Island, and to date has also supported connections for the North Scale Community Centre, Walney FC, Walney School and the Roundhouse Café.

Christopher Traggio, Voneus CEO, said:

“This has been an exciting week for Voneus customers on Walney Island, as the first customers get connected to the new gigabit speed network after just a few weeks of works. Just thrilling to see so many residents join the switch to better broadband.”

Until recently the network operator was being backed by up to £250m from investors including Macquarie Capital, IIF, Tiger Infrastructure Partners and bank lenders. But they’ve since secured a further £25m investment boost from Global Connectivity PLC (G-CON) in January 2024 and then an injection of £18m (capital) from Rural Broadband Solutions Holdings Limited (RBSHL) in June 2024 (here).

The G-CON and RBSHL investments are closely connected because G-CON holds a sizeable stake in RBSHL (RBSHL now has a 41% stake in Voneus). G-CON has also previously signalled that they would “appeal to strategic buyers within the next 12-18 month” and are planning to take the RBSHL ownership to “at least 44%” in the not too distant future.