Subject to legal and regulatory requirements the following agreement between nexfibre and Netomnia has been reached:
- nexfibre is acquiring Netomnia’s fibre network covering approximately 3 million premises and serving around 460,000 customers.
- The combined platform is expected to reach approximately 8 million premises by the end of 2027.
- Netomnia’s retail business, YouFibre, will be sold to Virgin Media O2 and to remain post-close.
- Completion is expected in Q3 2026.
nexfibre + Netomnia
Netomnia has agreed to join nexfibre in a transaction that will create the UK’s largest alternative Full Fibre platform, should all requirements be met.
The transaction will unlock £3.5 billion of international investment into UK digital infrastructure and marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the UK fibre market, as scale and long-term sustainability become increasingly critical to effective competition.
Rajiv Datta, CEO, nexfibre has commented:
“This transaction creates the largest alternative fibre platform in the UK, establishing the foundation for much-needed Alt-Net consolidation, and sustainable wholesale competition. It will help drive innovation and deliver the economic and societal benefits that Full Fibre connectivity makes possible.”
Key Features of the deal include:
- Netomnia’s 3 million-premises network to form part of an 8 million-premises Full Fibre platform by 2027
- YouFibre brand to remain post-close, ensuring continued service excellence for 460,000 customers
The Future of Fibre
Jeremy Chelot, Group CEO, Netomnia and YouFibre, has stated:
“This landmark transaction with nexfibre represents the natural evolution of the UK’s fibre market. Consolidation has been inevitable, and this deal creates the scaled, sustainable platform needed to drive genuine wholesale competition. Importantly, our retail brand, YouFibre, will remain post-close, ensuring our customers continue to receive the same trusted service they know today, while benefiting from the financial strength and infrastructure scale this combination delivers. This is about building a stronger future for UK fibre.”
Netomnia has established itself as the UK’s second-largest Alt-Net, making over 3 million premises serviceable and serving 460,000 customers through its retail brand, YouFibre. Netomnia has built a high-quality, capital-efficient Full Fibre network spanning over 100 towns and cities across the UK.
The combination of Netomnia, nexfibre and more than 2 million upgraded Virgin Media O2 premises will create a scaled, financially secure challenger to BT Openreach, with a Full Fibre footprint of approximately 8 million premises by the end of 2027. When combined with Virgin Media O2’s wider fibre rollout, the two networks together will reach up to 20 million premises, significantly expanding wholesale choice for internet service providers.
This article contains forward-looking statements, and caution should be exercised when relying on information regarding future events that may or may not occur.
