Freedom Fibre, a leading alternative network provider, has signed an agreement with Zen Internet, to deliver full-fibre ethernet direct to thousands of businesses across the North West and West Midlands.
The partnership will allow Zen to leverage Freedom Fibre’s cutting-edge infrastructure to offer businesses dedicated high-speed ethernet services and broadband across Freedom Fibre’s XGS-PON network.
The move supports the launch of Freedom Fibre’s disruptive business products and the wider ambition to accelerate the growth of its customer base across its expanded footprint, which has already passed over 315,000 premises.
Working together provides even more choice for users and further supports both companies’ contribution to the national agenda of bridging the digital divide by also improving access to lightning-fast, reliable broadband and connectivity services.
Businesses of all sizes can choose from services such as FibrePlus, an innovative, burstable product that grows with evolving business needs and FibreDirect, its most premium product offering the pinnacle of full-fibre performance. Designed for larger businesses, FibreDirect uses Freedom Fibre’s XGS-PON network, with speeds up to 10Gb/s and a fix time of five hours.
Reinforcing Freedom Fibre’s planet friendly policies and customer-centric services, Zen holds a B-Corp certification and is the only Which? Recommended Provider for broadband. Both brands share the goal of delivering premium customer service and ensuring the highest standards of care for people and the environment are maintained.
Nathan Vautier, Freedom Fibre CEO, said: “We are really pleased to be working with Zen, a leading, award-winning ISP, as this allows us to deliver our high-quality network services to Zen customers and accelerate our growth plans. This is a very important partnership, based on a shared ambition to drive the adoption of futureproof connectivity and boost business productivity.”
Richard Tang, Zen Internet, CEO added: “I’m super-excited about our new partnership with Freedom Fibre, which will allow Zen to expand its full fibre network reach to many more customers.
“We are the UK’s oldest ISP that still exists in its original form and also the best, according to the IT professional readership of PC Pro, who have voted Zen the UK’s best broadband provider every year since 2004 – 20 years and counting. I’m looking forward to launching our services shortly through Freedom Fibre’s first-class fibre network.”
Founded by industry leader Neil McArthur, Freedom Fibre has positioned itself as a leader within the AltNet sector, accelerating the UK-wide rollout of gigabit-capable infrastructure.
After a strategic merger with VX UK in early 2024, Freedom Fibre has continued to take an innovative approach to designing complex networks and has onboarded a range of internet service providers, including Freedom Fibre’s owned retail subsidiary, LilaConnect.
With further significant growth on the horizon as a result of Project Gigabit contracts awarded from Building Digital UK, Freedom Fibre is rolling out gigabit-capable broadband in North Shropshire and will commence work in rural Cheshire at the beginning of 2025.
Zen Internet is the largest B Corporation certified telecommunications and network connectivity provider in the UK. Zen provides a full range of broadband, data, voice, hosting and infrastructure services to homes and businesses across the country. The company also delivers complex network and cloud solutions for a wide range of large businesses and corporate customers through its strategic partnerships with AWS and Cisco. Zen has offices in Rochdale and employs more than 500 people.
