Full Fibre Builder UK Fibre Networks Rebrands to Fastr Broadband UPDATE

The rather generically named alternative network ISP UK Fibre Networks, which operates an 8Gbps capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband network in central York (England), has today announced that they’ve re-branded to Fastr Broadband as they continue to roll-out their network to 8,000 homes and businesses in the city centre.

The company said they chose the Norse word, Fastr, to reflect the ultrafast speeds it will be delivering whilst drawing upon the city’s Viking roots and reflecting its status as a York independent business.

Based on our earlier article (here), Fastr’s network expansion began in the Gillygate area of York during January 2024 (Phase 1) and should now be starting to expand into the Micklegate area (Phase 2), as well as Walmgate (Phase 3), with Goodramgate / Stonebow (Phase 4) following in September or late 2024.

The original plan was to reach 8,000 premises by the end of 2024, although we don’t currently know how many premises they’ve managed to cover. But the service is said to be available in streets including: Blake Street, Bootham, Church Street, Claremont Terrace, Colliergate, Coney Street, Coppergate, Gillygate, Goodramgate, High Petergate, , Low Petergate, Lord Mayor’s Walk, Marygate, Stonegate, Swinegate and Parliament Street.

Pete Evans, Director of Fastr Broadband, said:

“These are exciting times for digital connectivity in York and we are thrilled to be at the heart of it. We are committed to delivering businesses and residents the fastest broadband they’ve never had, with download speeds more than 452 times faster than those currently available within the city walls.

Having spoken to many business owners and residents who are working and living in the city centre, we have heard their frustrations of the slow speeds and unreliable connection that is having a real impact on their daily lives, and they have simply been left behind for too long. We work closely with Digital York, Streetwork’s and Highways teams and so it’s with their approval that we are able to build considerately at their approval that we are able to build considerately at night, tidying up old cables up as we go and reusing existing boxes to connect the network, our aim is to work with residents, landlords and businesses to find the best solution for their property.

We are really excited about the possibilities this will bring for residents and businesses in York and we encourage those living and working within the city walls to register their interest, so they are among the first to know about when connections are available.”

Interestingly, Fastr says they’re building the network “considerately at night” and “following the routes of existing cables along the outsides of each property to ensure minimal impact” (i.e. Openreach’s ducts and poles / PIA) on the heritage and historic buildings in the city, which also avoids impacting local residents, businesses and visitors.

However, the new website for Fastr wasn’t loading at the time of writing, while the original site still lacks a useful availability checker on their website, as at present you have to send them your personal data just to find out if the service is available. But we hope that will be improved.

UPDATE:

The email we received contained the wrong URL (www.fastrbroadband.com) for Fastr Broadband, which should actually be: https://fastrbroadband.co.uk/ .