Gigabit deployers 2023

This paper by Robert Kenny and Anthony Fox looks at the 100 companies building gigabit networks in the UK as of Q3 2023. (It builds on an earlier survey from April 2022). We consider their finances, ambitions, pricing and uptake.

It is a picture of significant progress, with Virgin, Openreach and the aggregated alt-nets each having passed 10m homes or more with Gigabit broadband. Looking ahead, announced plans suggest a total of 90m homes passed - or three networks for each UK premise.

However, there are also some significant challenges. Penetration rates for several of the largest alt-nets are below 10%. Alt-net prices to consumers have fallen by 25% in real terms over the last 18 months. And interest costs have surged. All this suggests that the trickle of mergers and insolvencies this year is likely to accelerate.