The ITS Technology Group (its.), which operates a number of wholesale fibre optic and hybrid wireless broadband ISP networks across parts of the UK, has launched a new programme called ‘Faster Britain’ that aims to help the deployment of gigabit-capable broadband networks through closer collaboration with their partners.
At present the details are all a bit vague, although the operator said that the Faster Britain brand will “underpin” everything they own and deliver, including their “infrastructure, products and delivery“. Apparently this will build a “new standard” by which “partners are guaranteed access to gigabit connectivity, removing customer confusion surrounding speeds and network capabilities.”
Quite why they weren’t simply doing all of that before, under the original brand, is not explained. The announcement adds that the programme will change how they collaborate with their partners in order to “identify geographical areas that are underserved or where there is significant demand for full fibre” (this will be called ‘Vantage’ and allows partners to influence the prioritisation of network builds in a demand-led way).
Faster Britain will initially comprise a footprint of 23 gigabit-capable networks across the UK and growing (mostly full fibre).
Daren Baythorpe, CEO of ITS said:
“Full fibre and gigabit broadband have risen to the top of the infrastructure agenda. The government’s pledge for 100 per cent coverage in the next five years is going to take more collaboration across sectors and barrier removal to achieve. I am really excited to launch the Faster Britain programme as it is designed to overcome these challenges. It is an enabler for us and our partners to work together to deliver connectivity where it is needed and at pace, particularly those businesses and communities that are underserved. Where a connection is powered by Faster Britain, customers are guaranteed gigabit.”
Justin Leese, LFFN Programme Director for DCMS, said:
“The government is fully committed to bringing a high-speed, gigabit capable internet connection to every home and business in the UK by 2025. It is also going a long way to help facilitate this with a number of initiatives that stimulate demand across full fibre and 5G, taking an ‘outside in’ approach to ensure both rural and urban premises are covered. It is absolutely fantastic that alternative network operators such as ITS are playing an important role in delivering this pledge. It is this sector’s agile and innovative approach that will help to get fibre done.”
The news comes not long after the business secured an investment of £45m from Aviva Investors (here), which is expected to help “fast track” their plans to build new “full fibre” data and broadband ISP networks that will aim to pass “at least” 200,000 premises (both homes and businesses). At present the operator’s existing networks can already cover 70,000 premises, but that includes their wireless and other connectivity services.
Another example of fibre to the press release?
Made me laugh!
This is a nothing news item. This is ITS perhaps trying to find a way to be relevant. Why don’t they just get on a build a network rather than always talking about one.
It does feel like these Altnets love talking about delivering fibre rather than just doing it. Faster Britain! What next, goes to 11 Britain.
It sounds like they’d appreciate the government unbundling virgin media’s cables, like they did with LLU’ing ADSL years ago. (Which I’d just love them to see!)
Minor issue that you can’t physically unbundle Virgin Media’s cabling unless it’s at the closest cabinet to the customer making it useless as that’s at most 64-ish customers but other than that all good.
Hmmme but you could unbundle the fully FTTP parts of the network. Not in the way we know it with OR but still very different from the HFC portions of the network where I agree it would mean fibre to the final 64.
Hence why I’ve mused a few times that VM might have different wholesale approaches to the FTTP and HFC segments of the network.
VULA only. The comment was about LLU ADSL which is physical path unbundling.
Neither PON FTTP or HFC can be physically unbundled unless you put active kit in or next to the final cabinet: bitstream or wavelength only.
Looks like Aviva said they had to do corporate publicity stuff.