All Fibre Challengers articles
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M&AEurofiber continues M&A spree with LuxNetwork buy
European B2B fibre and data centre services player takes over Luxembourg-based backbone operator, with 400G-ready network highlighted as means to strengthen its regional footprint. The buy is the latest in Eurofiber’s series of “opportunistic” acquisitions…
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M&Anexfibre set to win race for Netomnia — reports
Deep dive: Liberty/Telefónica‑backed netco said to be finalising a £2bn deal for UK’s #2 altnet, with confirmation as soon as this week… but what does it mean for nexfibre, VM O2, fibre rivals?
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Network & InfraInvestor 3i to write down DNS:NET amidst German altnets’ fundraising struggles
3i Infrastructure faces up to fundraising struggles as German fibreco ‘disappoints’ — the latest sign of struggle in the country’s competitive fibre sector…
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Financial & PerformanceNetomnia joins exclusive list of £100m+ revenue UK fibre altnets
Altnet’s revenue tips into nine figures for FY25, and tops three million RFS premises, to join a trio of other challengers at the top.
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Public AffairsGerman fibre players cautiously welcome BNetzA’s copper switch-off plans
German telcos and industry bodies issue guarded welcomes of German regulator’s latest regulatory plans to enforce copper shutdown in parts of the country, although timeline for the switch-off still not firmed up…
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Financial & PerformanceUK fibre: lenders seizing control at Gigaclear, to pursue sale — report
In depth: For the second time already in 2026, creditors look set to seize a beleaguered UK fibreco, again with trade consolidator no-show cited and equity investors squeezed out. Rural altnet heavily debt-laden but also boasts interesting KPIs, so could still turn some heads, if the price is right…
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PeoplewatchT-Mobile fibre venture Lumos revamps leadership as CEO exits
Brian Stading, CEO at EQT–TMUS fibre joint venture Lumos, is to step down at the end of March 2026. Lumos has also appointed new operations and network leaders to help drive Lumos’ fibre expansion strategy…
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Network & InfraGreek fibre: United scores 2025 goals
Fibre business of regional telco player United Group outperforms footprint expansion target for 2025.
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M&AAltice seeks buyers for OXG Glasfaser as co-owner Vodafone sees promise — report
Patrick Drahi-owned Altice has reportedly revived efforts to exit German fibre JV, even as Vodafone highlights improved build momentum…
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M&ALondon fibre shake-up: ‘aggressive’ ex Macquarie investors swoop on distressed G.Network
In-depth: £500m later, lender patience exhausted, and investors sidestepped — London altnet falls into hands of FitzWalter. As ‘ruthless’ distressed asset specialist swoops on unloved fibre builder, TelcoTitans considers whether bold move signals long-awaited reality check for UK fibre valuations and consolidation…
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Network & InfraTelekom Deutschland clears 2025 fibre in-tray ahead of Christmas break
German incumbent says it has now met headline end-2025 goal of adding 2.5 million homes and businesses to its FTTH footprint, giving it a useful (but partial) win in escalating battle with rivals over fibre sign-ups…
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M&ADT makes rare fibre M&A move with purchase of Essen estate
Local assets picked up from Dortmund-focused DOKOM21, marking DT’s first publicly-disclosed fibre transaction since creation of GlasfaserPlus in 2021…
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PeoplewatchCityFibre hiring Neil McRae as CTIO — why?
In-depth: Former BT Chief Architect looks set to unexpectedly return to UK broadband. Is the largest fibre specialist looking to tap strategist’s deep understanding of incumbent and networks, or more recent experience in cloud and FWA?
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InterviewCityFibre CTO plots PON roadmap to 50G and beyond
UK fibreco CTO David Tomalin talks PON future: XGS now in place and a 10–20 year technology roadmap that elects to leapfrog 25G. Vendor interoperability deemed marker of market maturity, with long-time favourites Calix and Nokia earning plaudits…
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Analyst BriefingUK Infrawatch: Altnets in the “bleak” midwinter; D9 woes; Ofcom spots fibre strength
Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK, including: Gigaclear secures a modest future after Equitix, Digital 9 hit by surprise Arqiva valuation, Ofcom sees fibre access reach surprising highs, and plenty more…
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Network & InfraUK fibre: debt-laden Gigaclear scoops funding after ‘disappointed’ investor steps back
Deep dive: Rural specialist confirms £80m+ injection and claims uncertain future now settled. But questions remain amid rumours of potential sale and in wake of strategic backer Equitix making a sharp exit, as the UK’s National Wealth Fund again resembles policy-led Project Gigabit backstop…
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PeoplewatchQuickline CEO departs in top-level leadership refresh
Rural-focused UK altnet appoints finance and transformation expert Mark Bowden as CEO, with Sean Royce moving to take on an advisory role. Quickline also draws from its ranks to name a new CFO…
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M&ANetomnia takeout rumours: first billion-dollar M&A for UK fibre?
Deep dive: Reports suggest Netomnia is in play, with cashed-up nexfibre/VM O2 and CityFibre tagged as frontrunners in the race to build a national fibre challenger to Openreach. TelcoTitans Infrawatch explores the backdrop, leading players (including Liberty Global and Telefónica), netco-servco dichotomy, and likeliest outcomes…
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Analyst BriefingUK Infrawatch Analyst Briefing: banks wobble, equity plays chicken, altnets play baddies
Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK, including: Voneus calls bankers’ bluff, INCA anticipates altnet dominance, nexfibre seeks consolidation jumpstart, and plenty more…
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Financial & PerformanceEquity vs debt: who blinks first in UK fibre consolidation showdown?
In-depth: While sector consolidation presents complexity for altnets seeking to evolve, challenges faced by financial backers invested through equity and loan facilities should not be underestimated.