London centric fibre optic ISP Community Fibre has dropped the prices of their Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH/P) packages for new customers by 25% and now claim to be offering the “lowest priced symmetric broadband package in the UK,” although this is perhaps only valid for their slower tiers.
At present the provider expects to extend their Gigabit capable FTTH/P broadband network to around 60,000 homes in London by the end of 2018 (mostly council / social housing), which will be followed by 100,000 in 2019. After that they aspire to reach 500,000 premises passed by the end of 2022 (some 150,000 of which have already been contracted).
Today the provider has decided to boost their volume by adopting the time honoured practice of slashing prices for new customers, specifically those taking out a 12 month contract term.
Community Fibre Symmetric Home Plans
1000 / 1000Mbps (peak 920 up/down) =£50£37 a month
200 / 200Mbps (peak 200 up/down) =£35£26 a month
40 / 40Mbps (peak 40 up/down) =£20£15 a month
The 40Mbps tier is definitely a candidate for “lowest priced symmetric broadband package,” although the same can’t strictly be said about their top Gigabit plan since B4RN do a 1Gbps service from £30 per month (although they do charge £150 for connection). Meanwhile TalkTalk’s similar network in York tends to be priced from £25 per month (24 month term) or £33.50 on a shorter 18 month contract (without setup fee).
Sadly there’s little point in any FTTP/H providers claiming to be the “lowest priced … in the UK” right now because the vast majority of consumers still cannot access their networks.
“lowest priced symmetric broadband package in the London” that’s more like it – the ASA should be informed otherwise.
What would they do? They dont know the difference between glass and copper/aluminium.
Agreed London England
This is BS- NOT “lowest priced symmetric broadband package in the London”
Or maybe we could all be more positive in that this is giving people access to what is for domestic purposes an excellent service?
Trouble is they have to market on price as tha ASA still allow hybrid to be called fibre.
It Is only when you can compare this to VM or GFast that you realise it is really better.
Maybe this is just reducing barriers to entry and allowing people to vote with their feet.
CF have fibres most of the big social tower blocks in Wandsworth and so it makes sense for them to try and get as close to 100% take up as possible as I doubt Mr tennant is generally thrashing the connection to death 24/7.
Most of the blocks have a choice between cable/pure fibre/BT. Once you have experienced pure fibre why go back to the others?
Is CF pure fibre? that is each individual residence has their own OTU or it it simply FTTB then other technologies being used between basement and each flat.
Our network is full fibre to the home, our ONT takes fibre, there is no compromise with copper at any point in our connection
Then why not launch outside of London? London is already saturated and you lot just want to add MORE!
@Simon
Some fibre somewhere is better than no fibre anywhere.
All the Alt Nets have different models. CF are doing big social blocks as their mainstay. Others are specialising in new development.
It really it is the proper function of the market to put different business models out there and see who sinks or swims.
Those who have bothered to get off their backsides and actually do something positive for the community at large deserve to be congratulated. I’m sure it is not perfect: nothing ever is. But at least some, and a rapidly growing number of, residential customers can get a service they only dreamed of not long ago.