UK ISP Fibrus Deploys RAGE ROOM for Broadband Consumers to Vent Frustration
Alternative network ISP Fibrus, which is building a full fibre (FTTP) broadband network across parts of Northern Ireland and Cumbria (England), has launched an unusual new campaign that takes a swipe at its competitors by inviting their angry customers to let out their frustrations in a rage room (i.e. a place where you go to smash up poor defenceless electrical devices etc.).
The Fibrus pop-up experience invited participants in Cumbria to smash computers, bottles, and broadband routers using baseball bats and hammers – the aim being to offer a “cathartic release for those fed up with rising costs and mid-contract price hikes by other providers“. Some of the kit people could smash included WiFi routers from broadband companies like Sky Broadband and BT who’ve recently hiked their customers prices.
The provider, which covers over 465,000 UK homes with their network (more than 330,000 of those are in N.Ireland) and has connected 142,000 customers, ultimately hopes the publicity stunt will help to highlight their own commitment to fixed pricing, with the company continuing to promote its pledge of no mid-contract price increases.
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The sessions were organised in partnership with specialists Smash Space, who run a similar rage room in Newcastle.
Colin Hutchinson, Managing Director of Fibrus, said:
“The response to the rage room event has been fantastic. It’s clear plenty of people enjoyed the chance to let off steam in a fun and safe way – they literally had a smashing time.
We know how frustrating unexpected price increases can be, and while we can’t solve that for everyone overnight, we’re proud to offer a fairer alternative with no mid-contract hikes.”
Such events are of course a bit risky as there will inevitably be some of Fibrus’ own customers who might similarly wish to make use of the same room, for one reason or another. But thankfully the provider continues to attract many times more positive than negative opinions from their subscribers.
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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Don’t smash up your own ISP supplied router, many including BT now want it back at the end of your contract preferably in 1 piece…..LOL
A totally pointless PR stunt which doesnt bring full fibre to the rural areas Fibrus moans about. They should focus on developing FTTP to rural areas instead!
Had Fibrus FTTP it was so fantastic I went back to FTTC as it was more stable and stayed connected until Openreach FTTP came along.
The childrenification of society continues in full swing
I wish I could get a axe to the green cabinet that’s been stood doing nothing since 2022 when swish fibre let our whole town down…
Absolutely 100%! In fact anything to do with that clown show of a company.
Reminds me of the Eddie Stobart but the ISP version, lets undercut until theres no profit left. Crying for custom, gets the custom then cries when theres no profit. Great move.
Vodafone, sky and virgin routers all in 1 room. Great fun that would be
was it their own customers giving frustration at their piss poor service?
“But thankfully the provider continues to attract many times more positive than negative opinions from their subscribers.”
Does it? On Google Reviews, it rates as 1.9 stars out of 5.
From my own experience, they are a nightmare.
Compare that to B4RN, which is also available in Cumbria, who are rated at 4.8
When you let zoomers run your company