Nexfibre makes £1bn broadband infrastructure investment

Nexfibre, which aims to accelerate the rollout of wholesale full-fibre-based gigabit broadband networks across the UK and the expansion of its supplier roster, is set to expand its broadband infrastructure this year as part of plans to foster long-term competition in the fiber sector. The company has announced that it will invest £1 billion in 2020, giving it access to the market on a national scale.

Nexfibre is the result of a £4.5bn investment from Virgin Media O2 (VMO2) shareholders, Liberty Global and Telefonica, and investment firm InfraVia Capital Partners. It has been launched to create the UK’s first national challenger to BT Openreach and boost choice and competition in the market.

Nexfibre aims to initially deploy fiber to 5 million households not currently served by the VMO2 network and expand to an additional 2 million households by 2026. VMO2 has an exclusive partnership with Nexfibre and, combined with its own fiber upgrade plan to be completed in 2028, aims to take its fiber footprint to 80% of the UK, with Nexfibre It is built to provide a material baseline for dissemination.

The wholesale provider said the investment would provide a major boost to the UK’s digital infrastructure and help the government not only achieve its gigabit broadband ambitions, but also its own objectives. Nexfibre believes that this investment will provide the UK with the competitive market it needs to drive progress and innovation, and that this investment will provide the UK with the competitive market it needs to drive progress and innovation, and that this investment will provide the UK with the competitive market it needs to drive progress and innovation. It sees it as addressing a “historic” lack of investment in the region. Next Generation Connectivity”.

As network expansion activity ramps up, Nexfibre CEO Rajiv Dutta says the company will build more fiber network providers this year than any other UK fiber network provider apart from incumbent broadband provider Openreach. and said that the result would be a highly competitive number two company. This is a network that has only been in operation for two years. He added that the company intends to play an active role in market consolidation and provide a natural base for a high-quality network to expand its footprint.

“The £1 billion we are investing this year will provide a huge boost to the UK’s digital infrastructure. With the support of world-class investors, we will deliver much-needed sustainable competition and the next generation connectivity to the UK,” he said.

“Our focus is to address the historic underinvestment that has left the UK behind European countries, and create lasting value for the communities we serve and the wider economy. to provide a platform for progress and innovation to deliver.”

Nexfibre chairman Andrea Salvato said: “Our annual investment of £1 billion is an important step in continuing to build a world-class network that will reach more than five million homes across the UK by 2026.” he added.

“At Nexfibre, we are committed to bringing full fiber connectivity to traditionally underserved suburban and semi-rural areas, helping to close the digital divide and revitalize local economies. .”