MS3 Claims its New Fibre Optic Network is “genuine threat” to Hull ISP KC

The Managing Director of independent telecoms developer MS3 Communications, which is currently rolling out a new fibre optic based ultra-fast broadband network for businesses in Hull (Yorkshire, UK), has claimed that the local incumbent Telco, KC, now “see what we are doing as a genuine threat to them“.

Last month MS3 confirmed that Phase 1 of their project to lay a new 116km long stretch of fibre optic cable around Hull was “halfway to completion” and the first businesses have already been connected (here).

By comparison KC started deploying its own Fibre-To-The-Premises (FTTP) based broadband service (aka – Lightstream), which claims to offer internet download speeds of up to 350Mbps(Megabits per second), in September 2011. MS3’s MD, Tony Hales, added, “we see it as a big compliment that KC is following our network route“.

However KC, which aims to pass 15,000 premises before the end of 2012, doesn’t just focus upon business customers and is also busy connecting local homes. By June 2012 the local incumbent had already managed to pass 7,500 properties and 20% of those covered have subscribed.

MS3’s Managing Director, Tony Hales, said:

“We see what KC and ourselves are doing as a very positive move for businesses of Hull. Some areas will now have the choice of using two fibre networks in the city, we are finally moving to a position where Hull is up to date with other cities in Britain..”

Competition also means that MS3 needs to offer an attractive service for their customers. As a result the operator has today promised to freeze prices for the next 3 years for all customers signing up to 12 month contracts as part of their “Gold Guarantee“. Likewise any businesses that are not happy using the service have been told that they can cancel their contract after 6 months at no extra cost.

MS3’s new network, which has already begun taking orders from local businesses, is currently on target to come online in October 2012. The company has also secured a new 5-year deal with contracting firm Welch Civils to continue their network expansion (Phase 2), which aims to cover areas around the city including East Hull and North Hull. Phase 2 is expected to commence before the end of this year.