FullFibre Ltd Extend FTTP Broadband Build to 22 New UK Towns

Exeter-based network builder FullFibre Limited has today announced that their UK rollout of a gigabit-capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) based broadband ISP network has been expanded to a fourth region, which will see them spreading across the North Midlands and Yorkshire – starting with 22 new locations.

The operator, which deploys its network as a wholesale platform via Fibre Heroes for other ISPs to harness (i.e. consumers should visit that site to check coverage) and aims to reach “at least” 500,000 premises by 2025, initially started their rollout in Leominster (Fastershire project), Ivybridge and South Hams during 2019.

Since then the operator has confirmed builds for 11 additional towns during March 2021 (here), then 13 more in Sept 2021 (here), followed by another 19 during Oct 2021 (here) and another 2 towns were added to this in March 2022 (here). The latest list appears to add around 22 new locations to their rollout plan across South Yorkshire, Derbyshire, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire.

The new towns being announced today include over 90,000 premises and “every single one will be provided with the capability to connect to a gigabit capable internet service as the programme rolls out.”

FullFibre’s 22 New Towns and Communities

Askern, Bawtry, Penistone and Tickhill (South Yorkshire)

Bolsover, Chapel en le Frith, Clowne, Creswell, Hayfield, New Mills, Whaley Bridge, Whitwell and Wirksworth (Derbyshire)

Boroughbridge (North Yorkshire)

Clayton West, Crofton Denby Dale, Hebden Bridge, Mytholmroyd & Ripponden Skelmanthorpe, & Todmorden and Walton (West Yorkshire)

Edwinstowe (Nottinghamshire)

The new additions are anticipated to create 100s of new jobs across the region, although we should point out that FullFibre Ltd probably won’t be the only gigabit-capable broadband network in some of these towns. This is despite the fact that the operator usually claims to focus on reaching areas that “have been left wanting from previous internet infrastructure builds“.

Oliver Helm, CEO of FullFibre, said:

“FullFibre continues to expand its services outside of dense urban areas and major cities. There are certain areas across the country that are not given the same resources and funding needed for this type of digital upgrade. We remain steadfast in our mission to connect whole communities to ultrafast, reliable broadband and the opportunities that go hand-in-hand with that.

Our work requires longevity and commitment to be successful. We fully acknowledge the importance of upgrading both residents and businesses to not only to compete at the same level as the rest of the country, but also receive access to modern digital services and educational tools.

The additional areas just announced include towns that have been restricted digitally with unreliable copper connections, hindering modern households and businesses. We are now in a position to change that.”

In terms of pricing, we can use the example ISP of Air Broadband, which charges from £25 per month for their unlimited entry-level 110Mbps (15Mbps upload) package and that rises to £35 for their top 550Mbps (50Mbps upload) tier. The service claims to include a free router, “free installation” and an 18-month minimum contract term, but we note that in the small print there’s mention of a £40 activation fee and £6.50 router delivery charge (so.. not quite “free“).