KCOM launches wholesale services in new build areas to give customers more choice

KCOM wholesale has announced the launch of a pilot scheme to work with reseller partners in two Yorkshire towns.

The wholesaler and infrastructure builder is partnering with four independent Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the East Yorkshire towns of Hornsea and Withernsea as part of its trial scheme to provide wholesale services across its multi award-winning full fibre network.

The pilot is the first step for the wholesale business towards working with more resellers across its Yorkshire and Lincolnshire expansion area giving customers more choice between different retail service providers.

Tim Shaw, managing director of KCOM wholesale & networks, said: “This is a very exciting step for us as we seek out opportunities to work with new partners across our expanding full fibre network.

“This pilot scheme is just the start of what we believe has huge potential for both us as a wholesaler and our reseller partners. Together we can bring the benefits of premium full fibre services to many more business and residential customers.

“We are investing heavily to build a world class, FTTP network that gives potential partners a great platform to sell their products and services on. We’re now actively seeking new partners to join us on this exciting journey, of which Yorkshire and Lincolnshire are the first step.

“Going forward, we’re interested in developing relationships with more quality providers looking to deliver great business and residential services over full fibre.”

Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart, a vocal advocate for accessible broadband to rural communities, welcomed the launch of the scheme.

Graham, who also serves as the Minister for Investment at the Department of International Trade, said: “I’m delighted that KCOM have chosen to launch their pilot scheme in Hornsea and Withernsea in my constituency. These plans will build on KCOM’s excellent full-fibre infrastructure to give my constituents more choice and faster broadband so they can work, shop, and stream without interruption.

“I recently met with Dale Raneberg, KCOM’s CEO, and was pleased to hear how hard they’re working to give residents across the Humber the best connections possible, including for people in Beverley and Holderness.”

In January 2020 KCOM announced plans to expand its full fibre network across East Yorkshire, North Yorkshire and, for the first time in its 116-year history, across the Humber to North Lincolnshire.
Since then, KCOM wholesale & networks has increased the business’s fibre footprint substantially to cover tens of thousands of properties.

The company’s full fibre network has been recognised as a leading light in broadband provision by both the communications industry and the European Commission, winning several awards including the 2019 European Broadband Award for its “Quality and Affordability of Services”.

KCOM’s expansion plans also support the Government’s goal to make gigabit-capable connectivity available nationwide by 2025. Just 15 per cent of UK properties currently have access to full fibre broadband.

• For more information about becoming a full fibre services provider partner with KCOM contact wholesalesales@kcom.com