Wholesale provider Full Fibre has been acquired by investment fund Basalt Infrastructure Partners.
Full Fibre said it will be rolling out it’s wholesale fibre-only infrastructure to at least half a million premises by 2025, focusing on “forgotten” markets in the West Midlands, Central and Sound West regions.
Basalt Infrastructure Partners, a specialist investment fund focusing on infrastructure, will provide Full Fibre with capital and management expertise after taking a majority stake in the business.
The wholesaler is set to expand its gigabit fibre optic network to the first 100,000 premises in 2021 and at least 500,000 over the next five years, with the first locations yet to be announced.
Full Fibre CEO Oliver Helm said: “Full Fibre’s mission has always been to deliver pure fibre, wholesale only networks to underserved market towns. The current environment has highlighted more than ever the need for gigabit capable fibre broadband to be available as standard, and we are delighted to work with Basalt to accelerate this rollout, fueled further by the strengthening of our management team.
"The regulator has been clear that a competitive market for consumers is vital, and the simple presence of a new infrastructure may not be sufficient to deliver this. It is vital that new infrastructure provides a competitive wholesale market to consumers, giving them the ability to move their purchasing power in search of quality, price and service.
"Our Wholesale Only, Fibre Only approach provides a future proofed, competitive marketplace to both ISPs and consumers, that is key to unlocking the technology-lead, flexible working economy. As we invest millions of pounds into these market towns, our new fibre infrastructure will help to revitalise businesses, drive economic growth and unlock social mobility where traditional copper services have frustrated progress.”
