The UK’s digital infrastructure is undergoing a significant transformation, with alternative network providers, or “Alt Nets”, playing a pivotal role. These companies are not the old-school providers like Openreach, KCOM, or Virgin Media O2. Instead, they are a collective group of over 100 different commercial full-fibre networks that are rapidly expanding their footprint across the UK.
The Growth of Alt Nets
As of now, approximately 33.4% of the UK is covered by an Alt Net FTTP operator. This is a significant increase from just a year ago when these networks covered only 20.7% of UK properties. The rate of growth is difficult to predict, but it’s expected that the Alt Net coverage figure could approach 50% in a couple of years.
Top Regions for Alt Net Coverage
The ten council areas of the UK with the largest Alt Net full-fibre presence are:
- City of Peterborough - 83.97% alt-net full fibre
- Hammersmith and Fulham - 80.89%
- Coventry District - 80.57%
- Milton Keynes - 77.37%
- City of Westminster - 76.82%
- Southend-on-Sea - 75.15%
- Tower Hamlets - 72.64%
- Newham - 72.19%
- Camden - 71.77%
- Aberdeen City - 70.71%
Key Players in the Alt Net Market
The Alt Net market in the UK is diverse, with over 100 different networks. Some of the networks that have seen their footprint grow recently include Connexin, FreedomFibre, GoFibre, Grain Connect, Hyperoptic, Lila Connect, Netomnia, toob, and Wessex Internet.
The Future of Alt Nets
The future looks bright for Alt Nets in the UK. With their rapid expansion and the increasing demand for high-speed internet, these networks are set to play a crucial role in the UK’s digital infrastructure. As they continue to grow and innovate, we can expect to see even more properties across the UK gaining access to full-fibre networks.
In conclusion, the rise of Alt Nets is a testament to the power of competition and innovation in the telecommunications industry. Their growth is not only providing consumers with more choice but also driving the expansion of full-fibre networks across the UK. It will be exciting to see how this landscape continues to evolve in the coming years.
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