Lightspeed announces second phase of FTTP rollout

East of England-focused ISP Lightspeed Broadband has announced the second phase of its potential £300 million full fibre (FTTP) rollout. Following on from the provider’s first phase, which commenced in ten areas of South Lincolnshire and West Norfolk in April 2021, the second stage will see Lightspeed’s network extended to areas in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex.

Lightspeed is financed by an initial £55 million investment from a consortium that includes Kompass Kapital and AtmosClear Investment. The investment also has the possibility to be increased to up to £300 million as the project progresses.

The provider aims to connect 100,000 premises to its network by 2022 and also has a longer-term aim to connect 1 million premises in the UK by 2025. Using existing infrastructure where possible, Lightspeed claims to be on target to connect its first customers later in the summer.

Building on phase two of Lightspeed’s rollout is due to commence at some point in the autumn of this year. The named areas for the second wave are Cromer, Dereham, Hunstanton, Sheringham and Thetford in Norfolk; Clacton-on-Sea, Frinton-on-Sea, Maldon and Witham in Essex; and Stowmarket in Suffolk.

Commenting on the announcement, Lightspeed Broadband CEO Steve Haines said: “We have been moving at ‘light speed’ to deliver our objectives to become a leading regional internet service provider and bring ultra-reliable, futureproof full fibre internet to thousands of homes and businesses across the East of England.”

“Adding ten build locations across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex to our initial ten in South Lincolnshire and West Norfolk further strengthens our position in the region. Working closely with stakeholders in each of our locations is very important to us and we want to be open and transparent about our next wave of locations so we can engage with local partners ahead of the build phase this Autumn.”