ASK4 Acquire ClearFibre to Improve Broadband in UK Build-to-Rent Sector

Managed ISP ASK4, which delivers gigabit-capable broadband to students and residents (renters) in multi-tenant buildings across the UK (inc. parts of Europe), has today announced that they’ve acquired ClearFibre – previously part of Elevate (formerly Telcom) – to help their goal of improving internet connectivity in the UK’s Build-to-Rent (BTR) market.

In case anybody has forgotten, ClearFibre was previously the part of Elevate that focused on helping to connect UK homes in the private rental sector to “full fibre” broadband, using a 10Gbps capable Nokia XGS-PON based Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband network.

Customers of ClearFibre’s service typically paid from £30 per month for a 250Mbps symmetric speed service on a 12-month term (30-day rolling contracts also available), which rises to £48 for their top 1000Mbps tier. All packages include a free router and installation. But we haven’t had many updates from ClearFibre itself since 2021, and it’s unclear how many premises they ended up serving (we suspect this may be on the smaller side of altnet deals).

Jon Thornhill, Group Strategy Director of ASK4, said:

“We’re proud to welcome ClearFibre into the ASK4 Group. This acquisition, our first under GI Partner’s ownership, strengthens our ability to support the Build-to-Rent sector with deeper expertise, enhanced networks for critical building systems and an unwavering focus on resident experience. Our priority is to ensure a seamless transition for ClearFibre’s customers, who will continue to receive the high standard of service they have come to expect.”

Chris Coulton, Deputy Head of Portfolio at Gresham House, said:

“This transaction marks a positive step forward for both businesses. ClearFibre’s focus on high-quality consumer broadband makes it a strong strategic fit for ASK4, who are well equipped to support its next phase of growth. At the same time, the deal allows Elevate to further focus on delivering reliable, high-performance connectivity and managed services to business customers throughout the UK.

Gresham House’s investment in Elevate sits within our digital inclusion investment subsector, focusing on infrastructure that aims to provide better access, connectivity and increase productivity for all parts of society”

The announcement states that ASK4’s “immediate focus” will be to ensure service continuity and expand upon ClearFibre’s existing relationships, which means that their brand will remain in place, at least “for the time being“. But over time, the new owner said that they would look to align more closely with the ASK4 brand.