All Fibre Challengers articles
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M&A
‘We need to get on with it’: nexfibre boss wants to see altnet acquisition action
Fibreco chief suggests some investors will have to swallow losses on altnets as the industry goes into consolidation mode.
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Public Affairs
‘Enormously aggressive’: nexfibre leads altnet complaints against Openreach copper-to-fibre discounting
Connected Britain 2025: As Openreach pulls levers to combat massive broadband losses, and drive fibre adoption alongside, altnet leaders have called out the discount pricing strategy as unsustainable. nexfibre execs have called it an exploitation of the incumbent’s significant market powers, CityFibre warns of structure advantage, plus views from other altnets, rivals…
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Network & Infra
Extra millions flow to UK fibrecos as Project Gigabit contracts updated
CityFibre once again sees a boost to a Project Gigabit contract value as Leicestershire & Warwickshire deal is updated and geographically expanded, becoming the latest fibreco to benefit from Project Gigabit perimeter adjustments…
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Strategy & Change
Grain skewers wholesale model as altnets ponder consolidation
At Connected Britain the UK’s largest fibre platforms called on investors and smaller players to accept the inevitability of consolidation. Niche challenger Grain rebutted the assumption that scale is now critical, and instead called into question the foundations of current wholesale‑led models.
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People
Ex-Vantage chief to lead MásOrange-Vodafone Spain fibre JV: report
Operators said to be putting pieces in place for formal debut of new fibre joint venture Surf, with appointment of CEO.
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People
Digital Infra Peoplewatch: fibre C-level switches; towerco leadership tweaks
September 2025 edition: Simon Holden steps in as CityFibre CEO as Greg Mesch moves upstairs; TDF names new towerco boss; AST SpaceMobile fills in director roles; more…
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Partnerships & Alliances
Gamma’s Mike Mills: why UK altnet-MVNO convergence is happening now
For UK fibre players, adding mobile services is becoming a compelling route to maximising ARPU and customer value. Enabler Gamma debunks misconceptions, arguing that the MVNO model can unlock significant returns with fast market entry, while eSIM also rewrites the rules. Learn more…
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Public Affairs
German government looks to speed up fibre build to flats
Fibre industry organisations and players back key measures proposed by the German government to accelerate fibre rollout to multi-dwelling units, but indicate further procedural changes are needed to remove “bureaucratic hurdles”…
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Financial & Performance
Fibrus focuses on journey towards breakeven as revenue and EBITDA grow
In conversation: Fibrus CFO talks virtues of the altnet’s integrated business model as it reports steadily rising earnings and nears positive cash flow. Fibre ARPU ‘walk-up’ ongoing, but potential bolt-ons are under consideration…
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Partnerships & Alliances
Telefónica Deutschland strikes fibre wholesale deal with Eurofiber
Operator signs fixed access agreement with Berlin-focused fibre operator to bring Gigabit broadband offerings to a wider customer base. Pair working towards go-live next year, as Eurofiber promotes open access benefits…
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B2B
Zen enters ‘next phase’ of B2B with new leadership, evolving strategy
Ex-TalkTalk Business exec Jon Nowell steps in to lead Zen Business with a mission to disrupt, urges UK enterprises to reconsider status quo.
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Network & Infra
Greece’s United Fiber highlights build progress
Fibre business of regional telco player United Group reports acceleration of rollout in first few months of this year, as end-2026 target nears.
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Network & Infra
Vodafone’s German fibre JV signs 1&1 as latest wholesale customer
1&1 to offer broadband services over OXG Glasfaser’s infrastructure starting next year, further expanding its addressable fixed broadband footprint in bid to stem customer base decline.
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Consumer (B2C)
WightFibre focuses on demographics and experience as local market matures
CEO John Irvine identifies key demographics where converged legacy players may still hold sway, although bonds are loosening…
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Network & Infra
Vodafone’s German fibre JV plots 2025 commercial launch
OXG Glasfaser wheels in motion ahead of commercial services go-live. Delays and slow rollout pace have raised questions, but Vodafone CEO Margherita Della Valle says JV is now in “catchup mode”…
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Financial & Performance
Q1 FY25–26: Openreach fibre machine keeps rolling
Access services business keeping up its relentless build pace, while connections are soaring. UK fibre’s pre-eminent multi-tasker shows build can be accelerated alongside strong take-up, but broadband losses continue to mount in the meantime…
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Financial & Performance
Grain snags £225m funding as Equitix recommits
Nearly half a billion pounds in total funding now unlocked to fuel one of the UK’s largest and most intriguing low-cost fibre builds, with Equitix re-upping investment alongside bigger funders…
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Network & Infra
TAR 2026: altnets, Openreach rail against ‘puzzling’ regulatory misstep
In a rare show of alignment, Ofcom’s Telecoms Access Review re-zoning proposals get a sledging from altnets and the incumbent as the UK’s fibre industry unites to vent frustration at potential regulatory framework update…
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Analyst Briefings
BTwatch Analyst Briefing: the scale of the altnet challenge
Latest from BT, including a look at the threat faced by Openreach as fibre altnets mature; PIA in focus as Fibrus co-founder questions the incumbent’s duct and pole access pricing; BT Group’s embrace of third-party IT support tools in a bid to cut costs, drive digital transformation; more…
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Deep Dive
UK Fibre: altnet optimism vindicated over time as take-up erodes incumbent dominance
In depth: Eight Advisory’s latest Tracker shines light on altnet challenge to Openreach, with mature cohorts reaching parity and fibre insurgency continuing amidst land-grab tactics. TelcoTitan’s analysis explores linear trajectory of upstarts, impact of overbuild, continued testing of investor patience, and whether the UK can truly sustain more than two major platforms…