Zen Internet joins CityFibre FTTP network
CityFibre has announced that Zen Internet has become the latest provider to join its national Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network. Zen Internet joins the likes of major operators TalkTalk and Vodafone and smaller providers like Giganet on CityFibre’s network, having previously focused on selling Openreach products.
CityFibre’s £4 billion FTTP investment aims to cover close to 1 million UK premises by the end of next year, with the further aim of increasing this to 8 million premises across over a hundred town and cities – or around 30 per cent of the UK – by the end of 2025.
While Zen Internet will continue to sell Openreach products, but joining CityFibre’s FTTP network will see its offering diversify. Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Worthing will be the first locations to get access to Zen Internet’s 1 Gbps service via CityFibre, with the connection expected to be operational in January 2021.
Ipswich and Leicester are expected to follow later next year, with further locations also set to be announced.
Zen Internet CEO Paul Stobart said: “Full fibre is set to be the backbone of the UK’s connectivity for years to come, so we’re excited to be able to offer a market-leading gigabit speed service to tens of thousands of new broadband customers over CityFibre’s network.”
“We will also be offering this service through our network of 700 channel partners many of whom are operating in these cities, so they too can make the most of FTTP and the move to ultrafast.
“More urgently, UK consumers need a service provider they can trust that offers a reliable and customer-first approach, and we’ve been delivering that for two and a half decades now, introducing industry-first initiatives such as our lifetime price guarantee.”
“We’re eager to show what we can do for customers in these initial cities in a world where households are more dependent than ever before on broadband that connects them to the outside world – including school, work, family and friends. We look forward to further expansion as the partnership develops.”
CityFibre’s CEO Greg Mesch added: “We are delighted to welcome Zen onto our networks, and to support their exciting Gigabit-speed home broadband service. Their strong reputation and award-winning services make them a perfect partner and we look forward to helping even more homes and businesses to take advantage of the huge benefits that full fibre has to offer.”
“With build or mobilisation already underway across 67 towns and cities, and plans to reach up to 8 million premises, CityFibre is fast creating a nationwide world-class wholesale full fibre platform for our current and future customers. In doing so, we are also playing our part in providing the UK with the digital infrastructure needed to support its economic recovery and long-term success.”
