AltNet UK ISP Upp Launch New BusinessEssentials Broadband Package

Network operator Upp, which is investing £1bn (via LetterOne) to deploy a new gigabit speed Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network for homes and businesses across the East of England, has launched a new ‘BusinessEssentials’ package that is designed to provide its “Next Level Broadband” service to smaller firms.

Just to recap. Upp’s initial aim was to cover 50 towns (c.300,000 homes) in counties like Norfolk and Lincolnshire by the end of 2022. But so far we’ve only seen them go live in 24 areas, such as parts of Diss, Downham Market, Horncastle, King’s Lynn, Market Deeping, Oakham, Spalding, Stamford, Thetford, Wisbech and Woodhall Spa etc. The provider also hasn’t provided an update on their latest premises passed count.

The new packages, which cost from £55 per month (ex. VAT), begin by offering speeds of 200Mbps on a 24-month term and rise up to £120 per month for their top 1000Mbps tier. As part of a related launch offer, businesses that sign-up before 2nd October won’t pay a penny for the first 3 months of service (make sure to enter the promo code UPPB3 at checkout).

Upp’s Sales Director, Dane Hipkin, said:

“As fast and reliable broadband is essential for so many businesses, Upp is delighted to be offering this new package, which caters for businesses of a smaller size. The BusinessEssentials package will provide symmetrical speeds of up to 200Mbps – ideal for everyday emailing, web browsing, video calling, filesharing, card machines, and more. Even better, if you sign up your business today, there’s nothing to pay for the first three months.”

Regular readers will of course want to know what is happening with the LetterOne situation and, at the time of writing, we don’t currently have an answer. Just to recap. Last year saw the Government order LetterOne – an investment firm that previously received significant backing from several prominent and now sanctioned Russians – to sell its entire stake in Upp in order to “prevent, remedy, or mitigate the risk to national security” (here and here).

L1 responded by complaining that this was no longer necessary as they’d since distance themselves from the sanctioned shareholders and were reportedly seeking a Judicial Review of the Government’s decision.