Quickline Gobble Wireless Broadband UK ISP Boundless Networks

UK ISP Quickline, which specialises in deploying full fibre FTTP and Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) broadband networks around Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, has today announced the acquisition of a majority stake in rival wireless provider Boundless Networks to help fuel their rollout of gigabit-capable connectivity to rural areas.

Boundless Networks is quite well known for delivering 100Mbps capable FWA broadband services to homes and businesses in the rural North of England area, albeit primarily around parts of Lancashire and Yorkshire. Suffice to say that some of their operations exist close to those of Quickline’s.

However, Quickline has recently secured significant support from Northleaf Capital Partners and has since set out a plan to invest £500m, which will extend their mix of Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) and FWA infrastructure to cover 500,000 premises across the North of England and beyond (here).

Part of that investment was expected to boost growth through acquisitions, which is where the move to buy Boundless could help. “Having Boundless on board significantly increases the scale of Quickline’s infrastructure and internet operations, as well as adding an even greater level of expertise in both wireless and full fibre network builds,” said the announcement.

Sean Royce, Quickline’s CEO, said:

“We are delighted to be announcing such a significant acquisition with a business which shares our company vision. Boundless has been making great inroads in delivering excellent quality lightning-fast broadband to many businesses and homes in less urbanised towns and villages, changing many people’s lives for the better. An objective at the heart of what Quickline is about.

Through this acquisition we can advance the scale of Quickline’s operations and network reach, which will be of benefit to the many communities that have been left to make do with substandard internet services.”

David Hood, Chairman of Boundless Networks, said:

“Quickline’s reputation as a leader cornering this part of the market was very attractive to us as a business. By merging our assets, we have considerably strengthened our ability to grow our reach and enhance our services. We are now looking ahead to a very exciting period of growth together and with our pool of incredibly talented people, we are looking forward to the challenge ahead.”

As part of the deal David Hood, Chairman of Boundless, will retain a minority stake and remain on the Boundless board. Meanwhile, customers of Boundless Networks will be waiting to see whether this deal has any impact upon their existing service and prices.

The combined group will have over 10,000 customers (4,000 from Boundless) and close to 100 employees. On top of that, their future plans are expected to help create “hundreds of additional jobs across the region.”