Toob Extends UK FTTP Broadband Network Across Portchester

Hampshire-based alternative network builder and UK ISP toob, which has deployed a gigabit speed full fibre (FTTP) network across parts of South England and also harnesses CityFibre’s network in other areas, has announced that their own fibre network build has now covered over 8,000 homes in the large Hampshire village of Portchester.

The deployment in Portchester is said to have cost toob around £3 million to complete and appears to mark a return to fresh network build for the operator, which over the past year or two has often seemed to be more focused upon expanding their coverage via CityFibre’s existing FTTP network.

Apparently, this “initial roll out” in Portchester is just the beginning, with more homes due to be added across the area over the “coming months“, although toob doesn’t say how many more. But we should point out that the village is also well covered by Virgin Media’s (inc. nexfibre) gigabit-capable broadband network, with Openreach, Glide and CityFibre also having a smaller level of cover.

The network operator is currently being financed through equity from funds managed and advised by the Amber Infrastructure Group, as well as a large amount of debt financing provided by Ares Management’s Infrastructure Debt (here). At the end of 2023 this mix of equity and debt reflected a total commitment of £395m.

Nick Parbutt, toob CEO and Founder, said:

“Releasing this first phase of toob’s network build in Portchester is a great milestone for us and we’re really pleased to continue our investment within the local community. toob is committed to delivering fast, reliable broadband at an affordable price, and we look forward to connecting more homes across the area over the coming months.”

Customers of the service currently pay just £25 per month on an 18-month minimum contract term (or £37 if you want a monthly term) to receive symmetric speeds of 900Mbps+ (average advertised speed) from toob, which includes free installation, a wireless router, unlimited usage, a pledge of no mid-contract price hikes and UK-based support.

In addition, it’s worth mentioning that toob also offers a cheaper 150Mbps entry-level tier for just £22 per month on an 18-month term, as well as a separate 50Mbps Social Tariff (‘toob essentials’) for those on state benefits. The latter has no fixed contract term and costs just £20 per month.