toob Boost UK 1Gb FTTP Broadband Rollout with Neos Networks

Portsmouth-based UK ISP toob, which is deploying a new 1Gbps Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband network to homes and businesses in the South of England (e.g. Hampshire and Surrey), has signed a new deal to harness the existing optical fibre infrastructure from Neos Networks to boost their rollout.

At present the operator, which was setup by a group of Vodafone’s former directors and is being supported by an initial investment of £75m (here), has already commenced building in the Hampshire city of Southampton, as well as the Surrey towns of Camberley and Frimley. Aldershot, Ash, Farnborough, Green, Guildford, Mytchett, West Byfleet and Woking are due to follow soon (here).

Assuming all goes to plan then toob may be able to achieve their ambition of reaching 1 million premises passed in the future, with cities like Southampton (100,000 premises) accounting for a big chunk of their plans. The new deal with Neos Networks is one way to help this as it should enable toob to utilise existing subducts to deploy its own fibre.

Neos currently operates a 20,000km long fibre network across the UK (rising to over 30,000km by the end of 2021), including over 350 Points of Presense (PoPs). Through utilising Neos Networks’ pre-existing infrastructure, toob will avoid some of the need to commence costly, time-consuming digs that are disruptive to local residents. This will enhance deployment speeds, keep costs down and is more environmentally conscious.

Nick Parbutt, CEO of toob, said:

“toob is rapidly expanding its network to allow consumers and small businesses to fully benefit from the advantages of full fibre supported by Neos Networks infrastructure. The partnership with Neos Networks will be a significant help in our drive to deliver a network to more than one million premises over the next six years. This is an exciting time for the telecoms industry, and we are delighted to be working with partners such as Neos Networks to deliver the infrastructure the country needs.”

Pete Asman, MD for Enterprise at Neos Networks, said:

“We are delighted to be a trusted partner for toob, an emerging UK telco with ambitious growth plans. This is a great collaborative relationship and a clear example of how Neos Networks is committed to supporting rapid network expansion that aids the futureproofing of the UK’s digital economy. These Hampshire and Surrey regions in the South of England, often overlooked compared to popular urban districts, will benefit hugely from the partnership.”

Customers on toob’s new network currently pay just £25 per month (plus a £49 one-off installation fee) to access their top unlimited 900Mbps+ (average) symmetric speed service on an 18-month minimum contract term (£29 thereafter), which is accompanied by a wireless router and unlimited usage. The pricing remains incredibly cheap for a commercial FTTP ISP, which is probably designed to pull people away from gigabit-rivals like Virgin Media.