News

Oracle has unveiled a substantial $3 billion investment to significantly expand its cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure in Europe. This strategic commitment is designed to meet soaring demand for AI services and sovereign cloud solutions, catering to enterprises, public sector entities, and AI developers amid an evolving technological landscape.

In the Netherlands, Oracle plans to invest $1 billion over the next five years, concentrating its efforts in the Amsterdam region to enhance its Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) capabilities. This development aims to empower a wide range of organisations – from large enterprises to startups and public institutions – by providing more robust AI and sovereign cloud services. Wilfred Scholman, Oracle’s vice president and country leader in the Netherlands, highlighted the nation’s dynamic technology ecosystem and governmental ambitions to foster a technology-driven industrial environment. Key sectors targeted include financial services, logistics, life sciences, and energy, where organisations are actively migrating workloads to the cloud, modernising applications, and leveraging cutting-edge AI innovation. Oracle asserts its unique position as the only hyperscaler able to deliver over 200 AI and cloud services across various environments, including edge, customer data centres, multi-cloud, and public cloud settings, which is critical for addressing stringent EU data privacy requirements and minimising latency.

Meanwhile, Germany will see a $2 billion investment focused on expanding Oracle’s OCI footprint in Frankfurt, reinforcing AI infrastructure capacity in tandem with the country’s commitment to digital transformation and industrial evolution. Thorsten Herrmann, Oracle Germany’s senior vice president and country leader, emphasised that this investment aims to accelerate AI and cloud transformation across numerous sectors, supporting Germany’s ambition to cement itself as a leading hub for AI innovation in Europe. The initiative is particularly designed to benefit manufacturing, automotive, renewable energy, healthcare, and scientific research sectors. Germany’s Federal Minister for Digital Affairs, Karsten Wildberger, welcomed the development, noting that it positions Germany as an attractive centre for digital innovation and investment.

Don’t forget – the best place to learn more about the transformation of Germany’s connectivity landscape is Connected Germany. Find out more about how you can get involved.

These investments not only reflect Oracle’s intent to expand its European cloud infrastructure but also align with broader strategic imperatives related to data sovereignty and compliance with stringent EU regulations. Oracle’s focus on sovereign cloud services, such as OCI Dedicated Region and Oracle Cloud@Customer, addresses growing demands for localised data governance and regulatory adherence—an increasingly critical factor for both public institutions and private enterprises operating under tight data protection regimes. This places Oracle in a competitive race alongside other major hyperscalers like Google, Microsoft, and AWS, all seeking to establish sovereign cloud presences across Europe.

Additionally, Oracle’s expansion efforts are connected to its collaboration with OpenAI, particularly within the Stargate initiative, which involves the development of advanced AI data centre infrastructure globally. While financial returns from this partnership may not surface until 2028, it underscores Oracle’s forward-looking approach to AI infrastructure investment, positioning the company to capitalise on the technology’s accelerating adoption worldwide.

By bolstering infrastructure in two of Europe’s most pivotal markets, Oracle is strategically advancing its capabilities to serve the increasing demand for AI innovation, digital transformation, and sovereign cloud services across the continent. This investment not only supports existing industries but also strengthens the foundation for startups and new AI ventures, enabling European organisations to navigate evolving regulatory landscapes while fostering technological growth.

How appropriate… this article is part of the Total Telecom AI content creation trial and is supplied by Noah Wire Services. Let us know if you spot any errors.

Press Release

30 government-funded mast upgrades have now been activated in Wales as part of the Shared Rural Network (SRN) – a programme brokered by the UK government and joint-funded with mobile network operators to improve mobile coverage in rural areas. Across the whole of the UK, 56 masts are now live as part of the SRN.

Rural towns and villages throughout Wales are benefiting from faster, more reliable mobile coverage as one of the latest government-funded 4G network upgrades were switched on.
It means residents, local businesses and community organisations in areas including Llangernyw, Pandy Tudur, Gwytherin, Cwmystwyth, Llanymawddwy, can now take advantage of better connectivity. These activations also bring enhanced connectivity to Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, Eryri National Park and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, including Wye Valley and Bryniau Clwyd a Dyffryn Dyfrdwy.

These activations also bring coverage from all four mobile network operators to the equivalent of over 2,500 km of roads across Wales.

The boost to coverage has been carried out by upgrading existing mobile masts which previously only connected EE customers and anyone making 999 calls, meaning communities can benefit from improved connectivity without the need for additional infrastructure.

The improvements will enable residents, tourists and businesses to access reliable 4G coverage from all four mobile network operators – EE, Virgin Media O2 and VodafoneThree – helping close the digital divide between urban and rural communities and boosting economic growth across the nations.

Ben Roome, CEO of Mova said: “Thirty new EAS masts are now live in the Welsh hills. For the first time, signals from every mobile network are threading through valleys and reaching a further 2,500 kilometres of road—bringing connectivity to residents, businesses, and anyone passing through. Thanks to the Shared Rural Network, not-spots are shrinking, connections are growing, and more coverage is on its way.”

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said: “Funded by UK Government investment, 30 new sites in Wales now have fast and reliable mobile internet access in areas which were previously poorly served. Reliable connectivity improves every aspect of day-to-day life in rural Wales and makes a huge difference for local businesses, residents, and visitors.

“This is an important step forward in our mission to kickstart the economy and unlock opportunity in rural areas across Wales.”

Since the Shared Rural Network programme began in 2020, an additional 34,000 square kilometres – an area equivalent to roughly double the size of Northern Ireland or 4.6 million football pitches – are receiving coverage from all four operators, EE, Three, VMO2 and Vodafone across the UK.

Through the SRN programme, the UK government and the UK’s four mobile network operators have already provided 4G coverage to an additional 280,000 premises and 16,000km of the UK’s roads. The UK government is investing £184 million to upgrade Extended Area Service (EAS) masts to provide coverage from all four mobile operators. Currently, commercial coverage from EAS masts is only available from EE – the operator responsible for the Emergency Services Network.

Mobile operators have also invested over £500 million to target ‘partial not spots’ across the UK, where customers can only access 4G if they are signed up with a mobile network operator that is active in the area.

Lucie Smith, Director of Programmes, Mova joins a panel “Rural and the very-hard-to-reach; closing the connectivity gap” at Connected Britain this September. Sign up to join here at http://www.totaltele.com/connectedbritain

Press Release

Anritsu Service Assurance announced its joining of Ericsson’s Enterprise Wireless Solutions Technology Alliance Partner (TAP) program across global telecom and enterprise sectors. Anritsu and Ericsson have partnered to ensure network reliability and enhanced customer experience for next-generation 5G and LTE networks.

Anritsu Service Assurance, a division of Anritsu Corporation, has over 25 years of experience delivering telecom-grade monitoring, troubleshooting, and anomaly detection solutions to Tier-1 Communication Service Providers (CSPs) worldwide. Focusing on cloud-native, AI-enhanced service assurance, Anritsu empowers operators and enterprises to manage the complexities of 5G, private networks, and Industry 4.0. Trusted globally, Anritsu supports over 1 billion subscribers and partners with 10 Tier-1 operators.

“Partnering with Ericsson as part of the Technology Alliance Partner Program is a proud milestone for Anritsu,” said Ralf Iding, CEO of Anritsu Service Assurance. “Together with Ericsson, we can help our customers embrace transformation with cloud-first, AI-driven network assurance solutions that guarantee performance, optimise automation, and elevate customer and device experience for the private networks of tomorrow.”

Ericsson’s Enterprise Wireless Solutions enable organisations to innovate, operate, and grow anywhere, without constraints. Anritsu and Ericsson help customers optimise real-time performance, reduce downtime, and achieve superior satisfaction with AI-driven network intelligence.

Sebastian Elmgren, Business Development Executive at Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions said:” As IT and OT networks begin to converge, and networks become complex, Anritsu’s service assurance services provide enterprises the peace-of-mind when building next-generation 5G networks.”

About Anritsu Service Assurance

Anritsu Service Assurance provides AI-driven monitoring and automation solutions that help telecom operators optimise network performance and deliver superior customer experiences. With deep domain expertise in 5G, fixed broadband, and cloud-native operations, Anritsu enables faster fault resolution, operational efficiency, and digital transformation at scale.

Press Release

Up-Connect, a leading provider of wayleave and property services, is celebrating its five-year anniversary with impressive milestones that underscore its rapid expansion and industry influence.

Founded in 2020 by directors Scott Curtis and Charles Thomas, the company has grown from a two-person team to an ever-growing team of wayleave surveyors and property specialists operating across multiple locations throughout the UK. With a growing client base and an expanding footprint, Up-Connect has firmly established itself as a trusted partner in the broadband and utilities sectors.

“Seeing how far we’ve come in just five years is incredibly rewarding. We’ve built a business that not only excels in prioritising strong relationships with clients, industry partners and local landowners, but also in our deep knowledge of the technical aspects of the property services which we provide.  “ said Scott Curtis.

Last year, the company was recognised at the UK Fibre Awards, winning the prestigious Best Business Services category—a testament to its dedication to quality and efficiency, and this year were triple finalists across categories including Best in Services, Best Vendor/Supplier, and Rollout Challenge Buster. Up-Connect’s wayleave support services now span 16 counties, covering areas such as Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and East Sussex, enabling the rollout of full-fibre broadband to hard-to-reach premises.

Within the broadband industry, Up-Connect has secured its reputation as a trusted partner, working with the UK’s leading fibre providers, actively contributing to the UK’s digital infrastructure growth. Over the past 12 months alone, Up-Connect has secured well over 1,000 wayleaves ensuring seamless coordination with landowners.

“Our ability to consistently deliver is what sets us apart. Completing wayleave agreements in an average of just 32 calendar days speaks to the efficiency and expertise of our team, and our willingness to build relationships with landowners and public sector bodies,” noted Charles Thomas.

As Up-Connect marks this milestone, its continued commitment to excellence and industry leadership remains clear. With operations spanning multiple sectors—including fibre broadband, utilities, leisure, and sport—the company is poised for sustained growth in the years

Up-Connect are exhibiting at Connected Britain in September – join them there, register today

Press Release

Sparkle, the first international service provider in Italy and among the top global operators, announces the opening of a second Point of Presence (PoP) in Thessaloniki to meet the growing demand for international connectivity in Greece and in the Balkan region.

Located in a growing neutral data center in northern Greece, the new PoP delivers Tier-1 IP transit and capacity services to national and regional network operators, ISPs, OTTs, enterprises, content delivery networks, content and application providers, enabling secure, low-latency, and scalable international connectivity.

Additionally, customers have access to a comprehensive suite of IP solutions, including DDoS Protection, which safeguards networks against cyberattacks, and Virtual NAP, providing virtual access to leading Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) without the need for proprietary infrastructure development.

The PoP is integrated into Sparkle’s proprietary fiber infrastructure, which forms a robust ring topology interconnecting Thessaloniki northward to Bulgaria, eastward to Istanbul, southward to Chania, and westward to Albania. Through the connection with Chania, customers will also gain access to high-capacity routes via the BlueMed submarine cable system, linking Italy with France, Greece, and several countries bordering the Mediterranean, with further extensions reaching the Middle East and all the way to Mumbai, India.

“We believe that Thessaloniki is set to become a key commercial and digital hub for the Balkans,” said Daniele Mancuso, CEO of Sparkle Greece. “With this new PoP, we are not only strengthening our presence in the city but also enabling resilient, high-performance connectivity across Southeastern Europe. Our continued investments in Greece are a clear sign of our long-term vision for the region.”

With two PoPs in Thessaloniki and a total of eight across the country, four data centers between Athens and Chania, and a comprehensive portfolio of ICT and telco services – including also SD-WAN, colocation, IoT connectivity, messaging, roaming and voice solutions -, Sparkle confirms its role as a leading enabler of digital transformation in the country and beyond.

About Sparkle

Sparkle is TIM Group’s Global Operator, first international service provider in Italy and among the top worldwide, offering a full range of infrastructure and global connectivity services – capacity, IP, SD-WAN, colocation, IoT connectivity, roaming and voice – to national and international Carriers, OTTs, ISPs, Media/Content Providers, and multinational enterprises. A major player in the submarine cable industry, Sparkle owns and manages a network of more than 600,000 km of fiber spanning from Europe to Africa and the Middle East, the Americas and Asia. Its sales force is active worldwide and distributed over 32 countries.

Find out more about Sparkle following its X and LinkedIn profiles or visiting the website tisparkle.com

Media Contacts:

sparkle.communication@tisparkle.com

X: @TISparkle

MLL’s network services contract is in support of a digital unification ‘Network Alignment’ programme following Pobl Group’s recent merger with Linc Cymru, creating the largest housing association in Wales and to be rebranded Codi Group from January 2026. The newly expanded group will manage more than 24,000 homes in Wales with plans for growth to deliver more than 4,500 new homes over the next five years. The group employs more than 3,000 people and is a major contributor to the Welsh economy.

Ahead of the rebrand, MLL will transition around 200 Pobl and Linc Cymru MPLS legacy sites onto a unified, secure state-of-the-art SD-WAN network. This will feature a Zero-trust architecture with managed real-time threat detection and response, and integration with Azure Public Cloud for enabling seamless cross-organisation collaboration. The project is expected to make savings of more than £500,000 over the three-year period through streamlined procurement and infrastructure consolidation.

“This is about more than just technology – it’s about building a secure, scalable, and future-ready digital foundation for over 200 sites across Wales,” said Peter Murphy, Head of Technology Operations, Pobl Group. “By merging two legacy MPLS networks into a single SD-WAN managed service, we’re enabling seamless collaboration, enhanced cyber resilience and smarter service delivery for our teams and tenants alike.”

He added: “This has been a true cross-functional effort with procurement, technology, operations and our partners working together to ensure continuity, compliance and innovation at scale – all to be delivered securely within a tight six-month timeframe to ensure a year one ROI.”

Gail Harvey, MLL’s Business Development Director, said: “MLL are delighted to have won this significant UK housing association contract, especially in a competitive tender situation where quality rather than price alone were the deciding factors for Pobl in terms of our demonstrating leading-edge technology, engineering expertise and support, and customer service.

“In the immediate and longer term, we look forward to transitioning and managing Pobl’s and thereafter, Codi Group’s SD-WAN network, while also identifying further opportunities for adding value and innovation and to assisting Pobl with future initiatives. We also welcome the opportunity to support the Welsh community through the Pobl Trust, a registered charity that aims to improve the quality of life and create opportunities for people and communities in the areas where Pobl Group works.”

If this subject interests you, make sure you attend the Connectivity in social housing panel discussion at Connected Britain. Find out more here 

News

Homeowners are increasingly embracing smart technologies to simplify daily life, reduce energy consumption, and create more comfortable and connected living environments. This trend is highlighted by recent data indicating a steady year-over-year rise in smart device adoption among homeowners who seek homes that do more than just provide shelter—they want homes that actively support and enhance their lifestyles.

Insights from market research by  COGNITION Smart Data show that about two-thirds of home owners have invested in one to three smart devices over the past year. Popular purchases include audio/visual equipment, smart doorbells, smart doors and windows, centralized control hubs, and energy monitoring systems. Notably, more than half of homeowners report connecting smart thermostats to smartphones, enabling greater control over energy usage. Similarly, many use smart control apps to monitor and manage hot water consumption, signalling a shift toward more efficient resource use and convenience.

The opportunity for builders and manufacturers is clear: integrating smart infrastructure into home designs can meet the rising consumer expectations for technology-enabled living and distinguish brands in a competitive market. Future-ready homes that feature fully integrated smart systems appeal especially to younger buyers such as Millennials and Gen Z, who demand seamless interoperability and dislike managing multiple disconnected devices. Offering homes with unified smart ecosystems that are compatible with major platforms like Alexa and Google Home is poised to enhance homeowner satisfaction and loyalty.

This trend is underpinned by the broader context of rapid market growth for smart home technology, which was valued globally in the tens of billions in recent years and is forecast to expand exponentially. Industry projections suggest the number of smart homes worldwide will soar dramatically in the coming years, with billions of dollars of investment flowing into the sector. This growth is driven not only by consumer demand but also by clear financial incentives. Smart homes are associated with better energy efficiency, potential reductions in insurance costs, and improved resale values, with some sellers recovering a substantial portion of their technology investments upon sale.

How can ISPs utilise consumer hardware deliver seamless, high-quality home experiences? Join the panel discussion at Connected Britain featuring brsk, STL Partners, ICOTERA, Ogi and TalkTalk. 

Widespread adoption of smart devices is already a reality in many homes. US research indicates  that a large majority of Americans own at least one smart device, and many now consider these technologies essential parts of their living environments. Many homeowners also express a willingness to pay more for properties equipped with integrated smart home features, reflecting the perceived value and convenience these technologies bring.

Security remains a central motivation for adopting smart home technology. Devices such as smart video doorbells and security cameras are particularly popular, with many owners citing increased feelings of safety as a primary benefit. This seismic shift in how homeowners protect and manage their properties underscores the transformative nature of smart home innovations, shifting them from optional add-ons to essential components of modern living.

With the momentum behind smart home technology showing no signs of abating, builders and manufacturers who anticipate and integrate these trends stand to benefit significantly. By offering connected, interoperable, and user-friendly smart home solutions from the outset, they can meet the demands of tech-savvy consumers and position themselves at the forefront of residential innovation.

Article Source: Noah Wire Services – an AI content generation tool currently being trialled by Total Telecom

Upcoming anniversaries are always a time for reflection. This is certainly the case for Bosnian BSS innovator ZIRA Group, which is looking to celebrate its 30^th anniversary next year not only with a raft of new products, but also an entirely new brand.

Founded in the wake of the Bosnian War by electrical engineer Zijah Rašidagić, ZIRA Group (then simply ZIRA) started life as a small IT company with dreams of international expansion.

“Our founder wanted to produce software products that could be exported globally. He wanted to create a company that could support innovation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, despite the challenging environment, and share that innovation worldwide,” explained ZIRA Group’s CEO Emir Bukvić. “I’m happy to say that his vision has definitely been fulfilled.”

Today, nearly 30 years on, ZIRA is a major player in the global BSS market, boasting offices in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Netherlands, Croatia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. As such, at the start of the year, the company undertook a major rebrand to better reflect the scope of its global ambitions and its expanded international footprint, becoming ZIRA Group.

“We’ve grown well beyond our roots,” said Bukvić. “We cover FibreCos, NetCos, TowerCos, SatCos — all over the world. With the rebrand, we are aligning our identity with a broader, more dynamic portfolio.”

In support of its strategic rebrand, ZIRA Group launched its new AI Telco Platform, leveraging AI to help telcos better understand their BSS data and become more efficient. By combining predictive AI for accurate forecasting with a generative AI agent that provides actionable insights, the platform can quickly synthesise solutions for telco problems in real-time.

“You need to evolve to meet the needs of your customers,” said Bukvić. “As AI and machine learning tools become bigger parts of telco networks, we need to provide a suitable solution for the BSS layer. Most analytics tools struggle with complex network and billing data – our goal is to make that data useful and help customers do more with less.”

Flexibility is a must when it comes to BSS

Key to ZIRA’s BSS offering is the concept of modularity, allowing them to tailor their solutions to meet their customers’ specific needs. The company’s All-in-One BSS platform is built on open APIs, providing seamless integration with existing telco systems, and allowing operators to pick-and-choose the parts they need.

“Every customer is different and has unique set of requirements.  They shouldn’t have to pay for features they’ll never use,” said Bukvić. “Our modular BSS approach means flexibility, whether we’re supporting Tier 1 operators or smaller players. Each can choose exactly what they need to streamline their operations and boost revenues.”

“That’s also why we’re increasingly transitioning towards a SaaS approach,” he added.

The platform’s scalable ‘Pay-as-You-Grow’ model reflects this philosophy. Smaller customers can roll out what they need today and defer costs until they’re ready to scale, giving them room to grow without financial strain.

Effective partnerships the key to monetisation

Scaling up, however, can be a major challenge for modern telcos. Building and operating networks is an expensive business, particularly at a time when the global economy is shaky and traditional revenues are stagnating. Against this backdrop, telcos are increasingly looking to embrace new monetisation models and revenue opportunities, developing new use cases with emerging technologies and building tailored offerings for verticals outside their traditional markets.

But as telcos expand their scope, they’re relying on a growing and increasingly complex partner ecosystem, from data centers and interconnect players to MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) and OTT (Over-the-Top) service players.

“Effective partnerships are at the heart of sustainable growth for telcos but managing them efficiently can be expensive and time consuming,” explained Bukvić. “Implementation of products takes time, billing and revenue sharing can be complex, and transparency is not always guaranteed.”

To support this shift, ZIRA Group has developed a Partner Management approach for operators breaking away from legacy stacks, making it easier to build strong, scalable relationships with ecosystem partners from day one.

“This platform decouples partner activities from the core BSS stack, making operations more modular and flexible,” Bukvić explained. “It’s a unified space, designed with faster onboarding, greater visibility, and deeper insight in mind. It’s a major advantage to telcos looking to innovate and capture new revenue streams.”

Regional differences in agility

But are telcos actually moving as fast as they should be to embrace new partners and new business models? According to Bukvić, some markets are leaning into disruption, while others remain cautious.

“We’ve learned a lot from our expansion internationally. The Middle East, for example, is very eager to innovate,” he said. “They want to be on top of new technologies and really take advantage – they want to be first. In Europe, on the other hand, things are more cautious. That’s partly because of the scale of their legacy operations, but also a mindset challenge.”

ZIRA Group recently onboarded a client in Africa and is looking to expand into Southeast Asia over the next 12 months – two markets where telcos highly value operational agility.

“These markets move faster. They tend to have younger populations that are mobile-first, so telcos can have a huge impact to society very quickly. It’s a great environment to innovate and take risks in.”

The Future: SaaS, modularity, and global expansion

With these new markets firmly in its sights, ZIRA Group is looking to continue to expand globally over the coming years. The  company is transforming its All-in-one BSS platform to a SaaS model, making it easier for telecom providers to get started, and giving them the freedom to tailor the system to their needs, without the heavy upfront burden. Modular by design, it fits both end-to-end telcos and infrastructure units ready to go solo.

As it celebrates three decades of growth, innovation, and resilience, ZIRA Group’s transformation from a regional IT company into a global BSS powerhouse signals the vital role agile software platforms play in the evolving telecom landscape.

ZIRA Group website link: www.ziragroup.com

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Press Release

CityFibre, the UK’s largest independent full fibre platform, has reached agreement with its shareholders and existing lenders on a major £2.3bn financing round, accelerating its next phase of growth.

The financing includes £500m in new equity secured from CityFibre shareholders, Infrastructure at Goldman Sachs Alternatives, Antin Infrastructure Partners, Mubadala Investment Company and Interogo Holding, underscoring their continued commitment to CityFibre’s long term strategy and the company’s role in providing critical digital infrastructure across the UK.

CityFibre has also agreed a committed £960m expansion of its existing debt facilities, supported by lenders including ABN AMRO, BBVA, Crédit Agricole CIB, ING, Intesa Sanpaolo IMI CIB, Lloyds, the National Wealth Fund, NatWest, SEB and Société Générale. The facility will support CityFibre’s continued network investment and enable it to rapidly connect hundreds of thousands of new customers across its nationwide network.

An accordion facility of £800m is also being made available to help drive CityFibre’s continued expansion through the acquisition of full fibre network assets. This facility will be used to finance the company’s M&A pipeline and cement its position as the sector consolidator.

Greg Mesch, CEO of CityFibre, said: “This round of financing will supercharge CityFibre’s next phase of growth, as we consolidate the altnet sector, accelerate the pace of customer connections and unleash the full power of our market-leading 10Gb XGS-PON network, for the benefit of all our partners, their customers and for the UK economy.

“There is huge opportunity ahead for CityFibre and it is testament to the success of the company that we have such strong backing from our lenders and shareholders. This multi-billion-pound investment into critical digital infrastructure will deliver significant benefits across the UK, helping to realise potential and unlocking economic growth.”

This investment marks a significant moment in upgrading the UK’s digital infrastructure. It will deliver world-class infrastructure and services to millions of consumers and businesses and provide the digital foundations for the UK’s economic growth for decades to come.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said: “Today’s announcement shows Britain is attracting billions of pounds of investment, including through the National Wealth Fund, driving growth across British businesses.

“Investing in our digital infrastructure is key to ensuring our economy is fit for the future. Through our Plan for Change we’re growing the economy by boosting investment in Britain and working hand in hand with businesses to create jobs, to put more money in working people’s pockets.”

Secretary of State for Technology, Peter Kyle said: “This investment in CityFibre is welcome news. It’s proof our telecoms industry is driving investment into the UK, as well as building the digital foundations that will serve generations to come.

“The success of the UK’s network providers will help accelerate the rollout of gigabit-capable broadband to millions of homes and businesses across the country. I hope to see even more success stories like this one, because this sector is critical not just to improving internet speeds, but to transforming quality of life for communities and creating opportunities in every part of the country as part of our Plan for Change.”

Over the past 12 months, CityFibre has announced its first full year of profitability¹, launched Sky’s full fibre and Gigafast+ services across CityFibre’s nationwide network, completed the integration of Lit Fibre, announced the acquisition of Connexin’s full fibre infrastructure² and reached more than 4.5 million premises with its full fibre network, over half way to CityFibre’s milestone of 8 million premises.

CityFibre is advised by Evercore on the agreement, which is subject to final legal approval.

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