UK ISP Zen Internet is set to become the third consumer ISP to launch full-fibre services to its customers over CityFibre’s national open access network, following in the steps of Vodafone and TalkTalk.
First in line to receive Zen’s 1Gbps services are Newcastle upon Tyne and Worthing, which are due to go live in January. Ipswich and Leicester will be following suit later in 2021 and more locations are expected to be announced in due course.
As well as partnering on home broadband services, Zen and CityFibre will also be collaborating on an extensive wholesale business service across the CityFibre network.
Commenting on the announcement, Paul Stobart, Chief Executive Officer at Zen, 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.”
Bringing more broadband providers onto the CityFibre network will inevitably enhance competition.
Greg Mesch, Chief Executive Officer at CityFibre also shared his excitement about the partnership, saying:
“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.”
