UK altnets remain buoyant, according to James Page, CEO of Proactive International PR, who spoke with Broadband Communities during Connected Britain in London. Page said the era of broad buildouts by smaller, alternative network providers has shifted to a new phase focused on delivering returns for investors.
In a Beyond the Cable podcast, Page said there is still more investment to come and that consolidation has not yet hit the market, even as the number of altnets climbs past 120. He added that competition among these players is a healthy sign for the sector.
Fears of overbuilds have not materialized, according to Page. “There’s definitely competition between them, and I think that’s entirely a good thing,” he said, noting that there hasn’t been the ‘doomsday’ consolidation some conferences warned about, with smaller firms not necessarily clustering into a few survivors.
Page’s team at Proactive International PR also found mixed feelings about consolidation. Some providers thought it could be beneficial, but others worried about market effects and the potential squeeze on suppliers if fewer altnets remain to buy from.
As the UK finishes large-scale rural last-mile work, Page argued the priority is retaining customers. He cautioned consolidation isn’t inherently harmful but can be difficult to execute, explaining that integration challenges may discourage further deals despite ongoing investor interest.
