G.Network Reapply for Code Powers to Build UK Full Fibre Broadband
Alternative UK ISP and network builder G.Network, which has deployed a full fibre (FTTP) broadband network across parts of London and recently came out of administration “debt-free” (here), is once again seeking Code Powers from the telecoms regulator, albeit under their new company of G.Network Holdco Limited.
The application reveals that G.Network’s full fibre infrastructure now claims to be providing symmetrical gigabit connectivity of up to 10Gbps, capable of serving residential and business markets, supporting “approximately 420,000 premises passed and around 375,000 connectable premises” (last year’s data from Thinkbroadband put their ready for service figure at closer to 260,000).
The application for Code Powers from Ofcom is typically sought in order to help speed-up deployments of new fibre networks and cut costs, not least by reducing the number of licences 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). The operator had such powers before, albeit under a different company (G. Network Communications Limited).
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The new application makes clear that this is more about ensuring they can continue to connect new customers and upgrade their infrastructure, although it does also leave the door open for wider network expansion. But for now, they remain more focused upon commercialisation of the infrastructure that already exists.
Extract from the Code Powers Application
The Applicant, having now acquired the network, intends to continue providing retail connectivity services to residential and business customers and wholesale services to Internet Service Providers (ISPs, to both existing and any new customers.
The Applicant seeks Code powers to facilitate the effective operation of the network and to enable any future network deployment, including the network’s extension for the connection of new customers within Greater London and inspect, maintain, repair and/or upgrade the network.
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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It’s Interesting that they state “420,000 premises passed and around 375,000 connectable premises”. I don’t think I’ve seen “connectable” before. That seems very honest and suggests that whenever we’ve seen “premises passed” we have not been told the full truth, though we may have suspected it.