F&W Networks First FTTP Broadband Network Set for Horsham
Last year a new full fibre developer called F&W Networks, which is being supported by retail ISP partner Hey!Broadband (H!B), cropped up with an aspiration of deploying a 10Gbps capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network to over 1 million UK premises by 2024 (here). Now their first roll-out seems destined for Horsham.
Until recently very little was known about F&W’s roll-out plan, except that they intended to target areas that are currently not served and not planned to be served by competitors with FTTP networks. The market town of Horsham in West Sussex now appears to be first on their list, which makes sense since at present the best you can get in the town (part of it) is Openreach’s G.fast network (they also have a little FTTP).
Last week F&W’s partner ISP revealed that they’re “getting ready to connect our very first customers in Horsham,” although we’ve struggled to spot related street works activity in the local area. Customers can expect packages that cost from £35 per month for speeds of 250Mbps (50Mbps upload) or £40 for 1000Mbps (symmetrical upload), which comes with unlimited usage, a wireless router, an 18 month contract term and parental controls.
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Initially the operator’s usual £150 installation fee will also be free and we note that their customer support will only be available between 9am and 8pm (Monday to Friday) via phone. Otherwise the roll-out is expected to cover 5,000 premises around the town’s centre.
Mark is a professional technology writer, IT consultant and computer engineer from Dorset (England), he also founded ISPreview in 1999 and enjoys analysing the latest telecoms and broadband developments. Find me on X (Twitter), Mastodon, Facebook and Linkedin.
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I’m a Horsham resident, i’ve seen no activity in the town from F&W, but will keep you posted if I do see any.
Thanks Dave 🙂
Hi Dave,
On behalf of Hey!Broadband, I’d like to thank you for keeping an eye out for us!
We are indeed deploying in Horsham and we would be happy to answer any of your questions at info@heyb.co.uk.
Nana Yazaki
Customer Service and Operations Coordinator
Im in Horsham. Have tried to register with them a number of times since this article and before, but each time same response – not yet.
Hi Mark,
Any ideas if there is an express of interest list potential customers could register with ?
Hi Sam,
Thank you for your interest in Hey!Broadband. Please call us on 0808 168 1616 and I would be happy to assist you.
All good and very welcome. Unlike Crawley nearby there is no VM and although there is a lot of new builds with OR FTTP being installed the existing estates of Horsham were destined to be on FTTC (and ADSL) for a considerable time. OR will of course eventually build FTTP inwards but this is an excellent opportunity for an Altnet to establish themselves and up the available speeds.
Looks like FW , Hey Broadband and Maestro Capital are all the same shebang.
Like most of the speculative players, if they get the funding they will be using BT’s duct and pole assets so you won’t see much on roadworks listing sites.
Is this going to just be the main town of Horsham or will it include Broadbridge Heath, Southwater etc
Will they be providing a static IP (or better, a number of IPs) with this service?
why would you need? Plenty of software and hardware solutions that negate the need to have a static IP these days
I got connected today. 1Gbps symmetrical. Happy days!
Hi Michael. I’ve just ordered it today? How’s it been? Are you still pleased?
Hi, are you guys all in the Horsham area? How have you found the service and reliability of connectivity?
My current FTTC service is not as advertised, also drops out from time to time.
Just wondering what others experience with Hey Broadband is like. Thanks.
I’ve had the 1000mbps connection for around a week now no issues apart from the wireless having dead spots in the home but I had issues with the WiFi before going with hey Broadband so I’m guessing I’ve got something interfering around my home. I’m looking at putting in a mesh system so hopefully that will solve my WiFi issue.