New Network Operator Solas Fibre Plan UK FTTP Broadband Rollout UPDATE

A new alternative network operator called Solas Fibre has revealed that they’re planning to deploy a 1Gbps capable full fibre broadband ISP network across mostly rural parts of Wales, the North-West and North-East of England, and Scotland. But the details are currently quite limited.

The plan was revealed as part of the company’s application for Code Powers from Ofcom. Such powers are typically sought to help speed-up deployments of new fibre and cut costs, not least by reducing the number of licenses needed for street works. The powers can also help with supporting access to run new fibre via Openreach’s (BT) existing cable ducts and poles (PIA), which is something Solas Fibre have indicated they may harness.

Launching a new altnet into such an overcrowded market, which is also under some considerable strain due to high build costs and high interest rates, is quite a risky endeavour. But that doesn’t seem to be discouraging Solas Fibre, which was only incorporated in London on 19th March 2024 (here).

The company currently has two Northern Ireland based Directors – Gareth Hughes and David Williams, both of which appear to have some background in telecoms, consultancy and civil engineering via previous companies.

Extract from Ofcom’s Code Powers Request

The Applicant is a new venture which seeks Code powers to facilitate the deployment of superfast and ultrafast broadband internet services. particularly to the most rural of areas.

The Applicant intends to roll out gigabit capable primarily in Wales, the North-West and North-East of England, and Scotland.

The Applicant has stated that the locations will be rural and semi-rural within which it will reach customers in highway, private roads, multi dwelling units, multi-business units, private roads, amongst others.

The Applicant will sell its services to business and consumers and speeds offered to customers will be varied as 100mb; 500mb and 1Gb.

We were able to find a GoDaddy hosted holding website for the service, but otherwise there’s no further detail about their exact plans or the level of funding involved.

UPDATE 28th Aug 2024

The company registration document notes that Shaun Devlin is the person with significant control of Solas Fibre and he is also the MD of civil engineering firm Glenevin, which has worked to build FTTP with various network operators.