Full fibre broadband found itself in the spotlight on several occasions in 2024. With a new government, continued progress towards Project Gigabit and a rise in the build footprint of alternative networks (altnets), it’s been a busy year for the sector. As the year draws to a close, Guy Miller, CEO of Hull-based wholesale fibre network operator MS3 Networks, reflects on the company’s progress.
In January this year, it was confirmed that nationwide coverage of gigabit broadband sat at 81 per cent — firmly on track for the government’s objective of 85 per cent coverage by 2025. Further changes throughout the year signal a bright future for the UK’s technology landscape, including the Labour Party’s plans for national 5G coverage by 2030.
Paired with substantial footprint growth for altnets, which the Independent Networks Cooperative Association expects will reach 16.7 million premises by the end of 2024, the nation’s broadband options have never shown so much potential. At MS3 Networks, our mission is to give people across the Humber region more choice in broadband provider. This is achieved through a growing number of ISPs on our network— we’ll have 40 by the end of 2024. However, our success rests on much more than simply expanding our choice of partners. So, what else has MS3 Networks accomplished this year?
Expanding connectivity to underserved areas
A significant milestone this year has been surpassing 200,000 premises across Hull and the Humber region. With each mile of fibre laid, we’re providing homes and businesses with access to fast, reliable connectivity.
An especially gratifying moment this year was connecting our 10,000th customer in Hull. This number represents not just a statistic, but an achievement made possible by our dedicated team and the partnerships we have forged within the community.
Our collaboration with Lincolnshire Housing Partnership (LHP) exemplifies our commitment to broadening access. Over 450 LHP tenants in Grimsby and Cleethorpes now have the option to connect to our ultrafast network, bringing greater choice and affordability to residents who, until recently, had limited broadband options.
Commitment to the community in Scunthorpe
Another of our proudest accomplishments is in Scunthorpe, with September marking the first anniversary of our full fibre network there. It’s an area where we see a lot of potential to make a difference, with an independent report we commissioned showing that our network could add £9 million to Scunthorpe’s GDP and create up to 100 local jobs.
Moreover, our partnership with Scunthorpe United Football Club and community-driven initiatives like the Pennies Make Pounds program with Lindsey Lodge Hospice demonstrate our commitment to giving back to the communities that support us.
Award-winning performance
One of the year’s highlights has been our recognition by several nationwide awards schemes. At the UK Fibre Awards, we proudly received awards in three major categories: Overall Fibre Provider of the Year, Best Wholesale Fibre Provider, and Executive Leadership Team of the Year. These accolades reflect our commitment to delivering unparalleled service quality, innovation and choice for our customers. We were also highly commended in the Best Sustainability Programme category, underscoring our dedication to sustainable and responsible practices.
In September, we also picked up two Comms National awards, celebrating a win for the Best altnet category for the second year running as well as an award for the Best partner support program.
Helping our partners thrive
To ensure our growing list of internet service provider (ISP) partners continues to serve local people with competitive broadband deals, we also pioneered a partner support program this year. Through Partner Plus, MS3 provides ISP partners with access to field and telesales teams that we manage, allowing them to reach more customers while incurring costs only for successfully connected homes.
This optional support has been transformative for smaller ISPs, empowering them to leverage full sales capabilities without the additional costs and logistical challenges typically associated with field sales. By giving our partners the choice to tap into a dedicated sales team, we’re actively fostering growth in areas where traditional marketing channels may fall short.
We also enjoyed a 500 per cent increase in orders through the channel between March 2023 and March 2024. A significant reason for this growth was the launch of our industry-first price comparison website that allows end-users to compare ISPs based on package, speed and cost.
This comparison tool, introduced in April 2023, is designed to empower consumers to make informed choices without toggling between multiple ISP websites, saving them time and ensuring transparency. This initiative has been instrumental in building a more competitive market in Hull and the Humber, where residents can now make decisions that align better with their connectivity needs. This drive to support customer choice has been a cornerstone of MS3’s mission, and we are thrilled to see such positive feedback and uptake.
Community engagement and unforgettable moments
2024 has also been a year of memorable moments for the MS3 Networks team, reflecting our deep commitment to the communities we serve. One such highlight was the opportunity for our Chief People Officer, Rebecca, and Technical Support Advisor, Zach, to meet HRH The Princess Royal at an event hosted by the Sailors’ Children’s Society. This gathering celebrated the efforts of partners involved in a nationwide family support programme, and it was an honour to be part of such an impactful initiative.
Our sense of community was also celebrated on the field during a football tournament we organised in collaboration with local partners. Featuring eight teams, the event was a wonderful opportunity to foster camaraderie, support community causes and have some fun outside of our daily work. These initiatives highlight MS3 Networks’ ongoing commitment to making a meaningful difference in the Hull and Humber region.
Looking ahead
As we look to 2025, our goals are both ambitious and essential. We will continue to drive digital inclusion by expanding our fibre network and strengthening our community partnerships. We also plan to deepen our commitment to sustainability, working on initiatives to minimise our environmental impact as we grow. Our goal is to provide access to fast, affordable, and reliable internet to every household and business within our reach, ensuring that the benefits of connectivity are available to all.
The awards and milestones of 2024 are affirmations that MS3 is on the right path, but they are also reminders of the work that lies ahead. In our journey, we have seen the impact that choice, accessibility and digital empowerment can have on individuals, businesses and communities. And so, as we head into a new year, our mission remains the same: to continue building a network that serves everyone, fostering growth, opportunity and a connected future across the Hull and Humber region.
Learn more about MS3 and its network of partners, and find out about connectivity options near you, over on the website.