Alternative Broadband Network Pulse Fibre Falls into Administration
London-based broadband provider Pulse Fibre, which focuses on deploying Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) internet connections into new build UK home developments and MDUs (here), has become the latest altnet to hit troubled times after they issued a “Notice of Intention to appoint an administrator“.
Regular readers might recall that, in 2024, Pulse Fibre set out their “vision to complete over 250,000 unique full-fibre connections into new build dwellings” (here), although it’s not currently known how far along they got toward achieving this target. In any case, it may now be a moot point, given today’s move to appoint an administrator (case number: CR-2026-MAN-000713).
Administration often occurs when a company, such as one that is in financial difficulty, is put into the hands of an administrator. The administrator then decides whether they can help the company to continue running or sell it off for a good price.
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Once in administration, the company is often protected from legal action by people or organisations who are owed money (creditors). Administration can also mean that the company may not have to pay all its debts in full, but if deemed necessary, they can still be wound up.
Sadly, many alternative broadband network builders have recently been struggling due to a mix of issues, such as the increasingly competitive environment and rising build costs (e.g. high build costs, high interest rates, rising electricity bills etc.), which in other cases has resulted in job cuts and a greater focus on commercialisation instead of new fibre build.
However, in terms of the wider altnet market impact, Pulse Fibre appears to have been a relative minnow, with their latest accounts to 31st January 2025 showing net liabilities of just £2.1m. Suffice to say, this is not a major provider. ISPreview has reached out to Pulse Fibre’s PR firm for a comment, although companies often don’t respond when things reach this stage.
The development comes shortly after Pulse Fibre’s Head of Development, Nathan Davis, said: “2025 has been a standout year for Pulse Fibre. Our growing footprint and strong partnerships show our commitment to high standards and reliable delivery. As we head into 2026, we’re focused on smarter growth, better support for developers, and continued innovation across our network” (here).
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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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A quick check of their website shows prices from £30/month for 100Mbps (plus a £29.99 set up fee) to £60/month for 1Gbps.
A 12 month contract and symmetrical speeds might appeal to some, but obviously not to enough people to show a profit, even at those prices.
I think all these AltNets will meet the same fate. It’s like the old cable companies of the 90s all over again. they will all go bust and have to merge then there will be only one of them or they will be swallowed up by Virgin.
I think a lot of these alt nets are set up in hope of being bought out by one of the big boys and ensuring a big pay day for the select few.
I sure hope many do. All these competing networks often building over each other with their own separate fibre networks, and each one wanting their own ONT and fibres running into your house if you sign up. Imagine if the energy companies, or the water companies all ran their own networks and you needed a rewire, or a new main water inlet and sewage outlet if you decided to change? It’s crazy.
What happened is exactly what I said would happen to Pulse Fibre. They entered a market that was already dominated by OFNL and MS3. It is a sad news.
That is a shame, but it is going to happen to some of them and others will be taken over or merged.