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[Bowdon]

https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2018/08/250m-raise-funds-hyperoptics-1gbps-fttp-for-2-million-uk-premises.html

City focused full fibre ISP Hyperoptic has today completed a major debt raise of £250 million via eight international banks, which finally gives them enough investment to fund their proposed roll-out to cover 2 million UK premises with their 1Gbps capable FTTP / FTTB broadband network by the end of 2022.

Today’s news is on top of the £100m in private investment that they successfully raised last year from a consortium of four major European banks (BNP Paribas, ING, RBS and Dutch investment bank NIBC), which was itself also an addition to around £75m that had been raised in previous years.

The provider, which has already built a network that they say covers 500,000 premises (mostly homes) in multiple UK cities (expected to reach over 50 cities and towns by Q1 2019), last year set a new target of 2 million premises by 2022 and a future aspiration to reach 5 million by 2025.

Hyperoptic is an urban focused provider and thus their normal approach involves connecting their Fibre-to-the-Premises / Building (FTTP/B) based network to large residential or office buildings in dense urban areas (e.g. Multi-Dwelling Units with at least 50 units), although they have recently expanded to do a few new build housing estates and lots of council (social) homes.

Crucially connecting up MDUs in the way that Hyperoptic does is significantly cheaper and quicker (per premises passed) than a traditional FTTP roll-out, which might require a lot more street works. As such a smaller investment, when used wisely, can go a long way.

    Dana Tobak, CEO of Hyperoptic, said:

    “Such large financial backing from prestigious investors is testament to the strength of Hyperoptic’s business model and proven track record for delivery. All our teams are forging ahead with one rally cry: Let’s Gigabit Britain.”

    Margot James MP, UK Digital Minister, said:

    “We recently announced plans for a nationwide full fibre broadband network to build a Britain that’s fit for the future. Commercial investment will play a crucial part of this, and Hyperoptic’s commitment to deliver gigabit connectivity to more than 50 UK towns and cities shows that they match our ambitions.”

    Joint-Statement by BNP Paribas and ING:

    “We have continually been impressed with the quality, scope and pace of Hyperoptic’s network, and are proud to partner with the UK’s leader in delivering gigabit speed to every urban centre.”

[Weaver]

Is there any chance they might wholesale this widely? I think in York were there only a couple of (approx) retail ISPs? Talktalk was certainly involved. So for all I know perhaps if I were still in York then I could have got Andrews and Arnold FTTP via TT over Cityfibre physical infrastructure, if AA ever start to do FTTP that is.