Broadband ISP Ogi Sees Wales Full Fibre Customers Reach 20,000

Broadband ISP Ogi, which is currently deploying a multi-Gigabit capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network to premises across parts of South Wales, have this morning revealed that their network has now signed-up “one in every five premises” covered (c.20,000 customers) and has so far completed two thirds of its planned Phase 1 rollout.

The network operator has so far covered a total of 100,000 premises (Ready for Service) with their new full fibre network – most of them residential – in Wales up to the end of 2023 (up from 60k on 30th June 2023). The latest customer figure (c.20,000) would appear to mark a significant improvement from the 15,000 reported on 4th March 2024.

The rate of customer growth is said to be even faster in some places, like Pembrokeshire, where in quite a few places they have a first mover advantage vs rivals. The build is also said to be continuing, albeit admittedly at a slower pace after recent issues (here), such as job cuts, and the Q1 2024 move to re-focus on growing the retail ISP side of their business (take-up etc.).

In case anybody has forgotten, Ogi also holds an aspiration to cover “at least” 350,000 premises in a future Phase 2 build across other parts of Wales, but they’d need to raise a lot more funding for that and the current climate (i.e. high build costs and interest rates) makes this rather challenging. Otherwise, some 60 towns and villages are expected to be covered under their current Phase 1 plan.

Chief Executive Officer, Ben Allwright, said:

“With one in five of the premises we can serve already signed up to Ogi, it’s clear to see we’re investing in the right places. Passing the 100,000 premises milestone – two thirds of our initial plan, completed – and seeing the massive benefits from this technology as adoption increases is encouraging.

Putting our ISP operations first since the start of the year, and harnessing the build machine as a tool for growth has allowed us to take a breath, and make sure we’re doing the right things for our customers and long-term sustainability. While we might not be as visible installing new network as we had been – we’ve been busy in the background, supporting our existing customer base and welcoming thousands more every month.

We’re building something really exciting here at Ogi; and the people of Wales are invested in our journey to create a real challenger brand – one that Wales can be proud of, and others are already envious of.”

Residential customers can typically expect to pay from just £15 per month for a 200Mbps (20Mbps upload) package (free setup and included router) on a 12-month term (£41.25 thereafter), which rises to only £30 for their top 900Mbps (90Mbps upload) tier (£72.50 thereafter).

Customers can optionally get faster upload speeds, but they cost extra and the performance uplift varies by package. For example, paying an extra £2 on their 200Mbps plan gets you 40Mbps uploads, while an extra £10 on 900Mbps gets you symmetric speeds.

Ogi’s Active Rollout Locations

➤ Bridgend: Caerau, Cwmfelin, Garth, Llangynwyd, Maesteg^, Nantyffyllon, Pencoed^, Porthcawl^

➤ Caerphilly: Blackwood^, Cefn Fforest, Cefn Hengoed, Fleur-de-lis, Hengoed^, Pengam, Ystrad Mynach, Maesycymmer, Pontllanfraith, Tir-y-Berth, Woodfieldside.

➤ Cardiff^

➤ Monmouthshire: Abergavenny^, Caerwent, Caldicot^, Chepstow, Crick, Monmouth^, Portskewett, Rogiet, Sudbrook, Undy.

➤ Newport: Langstone, Llanvaches^, Underwood^.

➤ Pembrokeshire: Haverfordwest^, Johnston, Milford Haven^, Neyland^, Pembroke^, Pembroke Dock^. Tenby^.

➤ Rhondda Cynon Taf: Cymmer, Dinas, Llwyncelyn, Mount Pleasant, Porth^, Tonyrefail^*, Tonypandy^*, Trebanog, Trehafod, Ynyshir.

➤ Torfaen: Griffithstown, New Inn, Pantymoile, Penygarn, Pontypool^, Sebastopol, Trosnant, Wainfelin.

➤ Vale of Glamorgan: Dinas Powys^, Llantwit Major^, Rhoose^, St Athan.

^Local Network Exchange