AllPoints Fibre Networks Acquires UK Broadband ISP Brillband
Alternative network operator AllPoints Fibre Networks, which is the UK wholesale division of Fern Trading’s recently consolidate alternative FTTP broadband ISP networks (Giganet, Jurassic Fibre, and Swish Fibre), has today announced that they’ve acquired Glasgow-based full fibre ISP Brillband for an undisclosed sum.
In case anybody has forgotten, Brillband was only founded in 2022 and tended to focus their CityFibre based broadband services toward customers in Scotland. The ISP also once quirkily described itself as the “world’s first … app-based broadband provider“ (here) and has, to date, attracted over £800,000 of investment. But what isn’t known is how many customers they were able to connect.
By comparison, APFN has tended to adopt a more vertically integrated approach and have been selling broadband packages to consumers via retail ISP Cuckoo, which harnesses both their own full fibre networks and those of several rivals (e.g. CityFibre and Openreach).
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Under the new deal, Brillband will continue to operate as a standalone entity and brand within the APFN Group, and its team will remain in place. Work will begin immediately so Brillband can serve customers across the country via APFN’s open access wholesale platform.
Jarlath Finnegan, CEO of APFN, said:
“Today is an exciting step in APFN’s journey. As the full fibre market evolves, we’re always looking out for compelling opportunities to invest in or acquire other firms. In a short time, Brillband has built a loyal customer base and a strong brand via savvy technical investment and a commitment to automation. I’m looking forward to working with Duncan and the team to take the business to the next level.”
Duncan Di Biase, Brillband Founder and CEO, said:
“This is a landmark moment for Brillband. We have the energy and the passion to transform how people feel about their broadband, and now we have the backing of a major player in the full fibre industry. We can’t wait to start working with Jarlath as we continue on our journey.”
ISPreview understands that Duncan Di Biase, Brillband’s Founder and CEO, will remain in place; while Jarlath Finnegan, Group CEO of APFN and Cuckoo Fibre, will become Brillband Chairman in addition to his current role.
Mark is a professional technology writer, IT consultant and computer engineer from Dorset (England), he also founded ISPreview in 1999 and enjoys analysing the latest telecoms and broadband developments. Find me on X (Twitter), Mastodon, Facebook, BlueSky, Threads.net and Linkedin.
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Fern appear to be pivoting towards the retail ISP side of things and with the recent announcement of Cuckoo going back on Openreach you wonder what their plans are for the network. I wouldn’t be surprised to see it acquired by CityFibre or Netomnia maybe.
Netomnia feels like a more natural fit, given that CityFibre don’t operate their own ISP (and don’t appear to have any appetite to). In my mind it would make for a more interesting / competitive market too, vs a triopoly of BT / Virgin / CityFibre 🙂
Not sure on how Netomnias network is built, but I know the Jurassic network uses a lot of leased in fibre for the core. Can’t see that being of any interest to CF.
Also in regards to Fern/Octopus thinking Brillband is a stronger brand, they have literally just thrown all their eggs into the Cuckoo basket so can’t see that. Brillband is know by a few people in Scotland and that’s about it, although I don’t think Cuckoo is a particularly strong brand either!
Octopus do have some deep pockets, don’t they….
Their investors do… Fern is wholly funded via the Octopus Inheritance Tax Service.
“Most investors in the Service hold shares in Fern Trading. Fern Trading is entirely owned by investors in the Octopus Inheritance Tax Service and is managed by Octopus.”
https://octopusinvestments.com/our-products/business-relief/octopus-inheritance-tax-seyrvice/
Basically, it gets round cash gifts within 7 years of death being part of the estate for inheritance tax purposes, and even better the investments remain yours.
They have a fairly conservative target of 4% pa growth for the fund.
A stray character got into that url. It should be:
https://octopusinvestments.com/our-products/business-relief/octopus-inheritance-tax-service/
Perhaps a pleasant change from Home Telecom gobbling up all the independent ISPs.
Gosh, another acquisition they can badly manage, oh the joy.
This Brillband purchase looks like a pivot away from the Cuckoo brand. It is possible that Octopus feels that Brillband could be a stronger retail brand than Cuckoo.
Not surprised APF are concentrating on expanding their ISP business, in my opinion they don’t have the capability to manage a network at wholesale level.
It’s a shame, could have been good.