FullFibre and Zzoomm, two major players in the UK’s fibre broadband sector, have announced plans to merge, creating a combined business poised for significant growth and expansion. The merger, subject to regulatory approval and final documentation, is expected to be completed in early 2025.
The merged entity will bring together FullFibre, a wholesale full-fibre network provider with its in-house ISP retail arm BeFibre, and Zzoomm, a rapidly growing operator in the fibre broadband industry. Together, the companies will establish a full-fibre network footprint encompassing 600,000 properties with ready-for-service access and over 65,000 active customers.
The partnership aims to accelerate growth, enhance operational efficiency, and lead the way for further mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the fragmented alternative network (altnet) sector. By combining their complementary networks and business models, the merger is expected to unlock significant opportunities for organic growth, improved economies of scale, and access to new funding for additional network expansion.
The leadership of the newly merged company reflects the expertise and experience of both organizations. Matthew Hare, current CEO of Zzoomm, will step into the role of executive chairman, while James Warner, CEO of FullFibre, will assume the position of group CEO.
Speaking about the merger, James Warner commented:
“This merger represents another significant step in our journey. With a shared commitment to delivering transformational full-fibre connectivity and exceptional customer experiences, this deal strengthens our collective ability to grow even faster and seize new market opportunities. Following our successful integration with Digital Infrastructure and BeFibre, this next milestone further accelerates our ambitions to lead the market and provide unmatched connectivity to homes, businesses, and wholesale partners alike.”
Matthew Hare shared his perspective:
“As an enlarged business with operational and financial infrastructure, economies of scale, and a management team with a proven track record, we will have an excellent platform to combine with other altnets in the near future and drive organic growth faster. With our clear focus on serving happy customers with brilliant broadband, Zzoomm has consistently delivered industry-leading growth, and this merger allows us to build on that success.”
