Freedom Fibre and VX UK have completed their merger, following regulatory approval for the December deal.
The merger brings together the VX UK and Freedom Fibre FTTP Networks to create a 300k-premises footprint under the Freedom Fibre wholesale business. The enlarged footprint will be offered to existing and new ISPs along with the wholly owned Retail ISP LilaConnect. The resulting Freedom Fibre group consists of the Freedom Fibre wholesale business and the Retail ISP LilaConnect.
The Freedom Fibre group will be run by Freedom Fibre founder and CEO Neil McArthur MBE with Jan Lange, managing director of LilaConnect joining the existing Freedom Fibre senior leadership team.
TalkTalk, a minority shareholder since 2021, will remain a shareholder in the combined business.
VX UK has a strong presence in Stoke-on-Trent and the surrounding areas through its unique contract with Stoke City Council. VX UK markets its broadband service to local consumers through its LilaConnect brand, alongside a wholesale offering for local ISPs. VX also has fibre assets in Bristol and Colchester. The LilaConnect brand will continue post-merger with its gigabit full fibre connectivity made accessible to homes, businesses, and communities across the network.
Freedom Fibre offers FTTP services to homes and businesses in Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Shropshire and Merseyside benefiting from a wholesale agreement with TalkTalk.
Neil McArthur, CEO of Freedom Fibre, said: “This strategic merger leverages the strengths of both Freedom Fibre and VX UK to create a larger, stronger and more diverse business backed by two significant investors with ambitions for growth.
“We are delighted to be joining forces with the VX team and are hugely excited about the future potential of the newly combined business.”
