Fibreray Group: Fibreray Group completes Runfibre acquisition

By Simon Meredith | 21st August 2024

Sets out ambition to deliver full fibre services and bridge the digital divide in rural and semi-rural communities.

Liverpool, 21 August 2024 – Fibreray Group, a leading provider of high-quality full fibre turnkey services, has completed the acquisition and integration of specialist ISP Runfibre, and set out its ambitions to contribute towards bridging the digital divide in the UK’s rural and semi-rural communities.

Runfibre is already established in South Gloucestershire and North Wiltshire and has used BDUK Vouchers to extend rural connectivity. With the backing of Fibreray Group, it is now planning to deliver full fibre solutions to many more regions across the UK. The group is currently in the process of applying to expand its ability to use Building Digital UK (BDUK) Project Gigabit subsidies alongside its own commercial rollout in a number of locations and hopes to make announcements about successful schemes in the near future.

With the resources and capabilities of Fibreray Group at its disposal as a delivery partner, Runfibre will be able to make full fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) services available to consumers and businesses swiftly and at extremely competitive prices, said Rod Lawrence, general manager, Runfibre. “For Runfibre customers, this acquisition brings the certainty and peace of mind that their services are backed by a specialist provider of fibre infrastructure with proven, end-to-end capabilities. It means that Runfibre will be able to offer customers a comprehensive service, from feasibility and design through to delivery, and consistent and dependable fibre connectivity. Having all of these capabilities entirely within the group accelerates our response time and ability to meet and exceed customer expectations.”

Importantly, Runfibre will focus on smaller communities, where there are fewer than 1500 consumers and business premises within an area of interest. This approach is central to Fibreray’s mission of narrowing the digital divide, said Daniel Herbert, CEO of Fibreray Group.

“This strategic acquisition enhances our mission to deliver high-speed fibre connectivity to underserved rural and semi-rural areas across the UK and will enable us to play our part in getting Britain fully connected by 2030. By utilising our turnkey expertise to deliver full fibre services in the smallest of rural clusters we believe we can make them as commercially viable as any metro area and create a real difference to the long-term prospects and prosperity of those communities. Drawing on Runfibre’s expertise in rural broadband and our comprehensive delivery capabilities, we aim to deliver unparalleled fibre solutions that meet the unique needs of these areas.”

Runfibre has already successfully passed over 1500 premises in South Gloucestershire, offering full fibre at speeds up to a gigabit. Further expansion into areas in the region that currently have a limited-service offering is underway. Taking advantage of Fibreray’s efficient design and build process will allow Runfibre to reduce the time from feasibility studies to customer delivery and with direct access to the design and build team, provide enhanced adaptability and customer service.

Fibreray Group has been advised during the acquisition of Runfibre by Prism Business Consulting, which continues to provide strategic consulting support to the board.

Picture (left to right): Rod Lawrence and Daniel Herbert.

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