North Yorkshire Rural Broadband ISP Moorsweb Acquired by Signa

Fixed wireless broadband ISP Moorsweb, which has been running since 2006 and serves homes across several dales in the remote rural North Yorkshire (UK) moors, has been taken over by Signa Technologies after former owner Barry Sunley chose to retire.

The provider, which is operated by Barry Sunley’s company Farndale Free Range Ltd, was originally set-up with the benefit of a Yorkshire Forward grant for rural broadband and a later grant from NYCC, NYnet and Ryedale District Council also funded a fibre backhaul facility. More recent upgrades have been funded by income from subscription fees.

Currently the network is able to deliver download speeds of up to 30Mbps to around 300 subscribers in Bransdale, Farndale, Rosedale, Gillamoor, Rudland, Beadlam/Skiplam Rigg, East Moors and Appleton le Moors.

By comparison Signa, which is run by Martyn and Julie Boswell, has tended to focus more on providing communication services to events and holiday parks, although they’ve worked with Moorsweb before and have the right kind of experience.

Martyn Boswell, Signa’s MD, said:

“I have worked with Barry on Moorsweb in one capacity or another, over the last 10 years, as the network grew into what it is today. I am absolutely delighted that we have been given this opportunity to continue running the network from Barry, to continue to provide a reliable and fast service to its members across the Moor.”

Barry Sunley said:

“I feel like it is the right time to slow down from the day-to-day running of the network and spend some time with family and pursuing more leisurely activities. But the customers can rest assured that I won’t be disappearing immediately, as we have agreed a handover period and I will stay on as a contractor for a couple of days a week to complete installs and any upgrades needed, so it means there will still be a familiar face around.

The customers and committee are in good hands as Martyn and Julie has helped Moorsweb on numerous occasions and been very helpful in advising us on how to get the best out of the network over the years.”

Apparently the finalised agreement has also been blessed by Moors Web Link, the committee that are the guardians of the network. The name Moorsweb will also be retained and Martyn Boswell has pledged to “take the network to the next level as demand and technology progresses,” which suggests that more upgrades may be planned.