FullFibre and Zzoomm have announced plans to merge. Once complete, the combined company will operate a substantial network covering roughly 600,000 premises ready for service and serving more than 65,000 active customers.
The proposed merger unites FullFibre—a wholesale full-fibre network operator with its retail ISP brand BeFibre—with Zzoomm, a well-established and rapidly growing fibre broadband provider. Bringing the two businesses together is expected to expand reach, improve operational efficiency, and create capacity for future mergers and acquisitions within the fragmented alternative network (altnet) industry.
Under the new structure, Matthew Hare, currently CEO of Zzoomm, will become executive chairman, while James Warner, CEO of FullFibre, will assume the role of Group CEO.
In a joint statement the companies noted that the combined management team “has the relevant experience, expertise, and resources to lead and develop the enlarged group faster, providing outstanding broadband services to consumers, businesses, and wholesale markets.”
The merger aligns two complementary networks and business models, creating opportunities for accelerated growth through a wider service footprint, improved operational scale, and greater access to capital for network expansion and potential future acquisitions.
“With our clear focus on serving happy customers with brilliant broadband, Zzoomm has delivered industry-leading organic growth across its network for several years,” Hare said. He emphasised that the company’s strategy combines organic expansion with targeted M&A in a fragmented market. Hare added that an enlarged business with stronger operational and financial infrastructure—benefiting from economies of scale and led by an experienced management team—will be well positioned to consolidate further with other altnets while accelerating organic growth.
The increased scale created by the transaction is also expected to generate new wholesale opportunities for ISPs, unlocking additional revenue streams for partners and the combined group.
“With a shared commitment to delivering transformational full-fibre connectivity and exceptional customer experience, this deal strengthens our collective ability to grow faster and capture new market opportunities,” Warner said.
Warner described the move as a further milestone in FullFibre’s mission to build a 21st-century digital backbone. He noted that following FullFibre’s recent integration with Digital Infrastructure and its BeFibre retail brand, this merger will accelerate the company’s ambitions to lead the market and provide enhanced connectivity to homes, businesses, and wholesale customers.
The agreement remains subject to regulatory approval and the completion of final documentation. If approvals are granted and paperwork finalised, the companies expect the merger to close in early 2025.
The rapid rollout of full-fibre networks is central to the UK’s digital strategy as the government seeks to upgrade broadband for households and businesses. Yet the sector continues to be fragmented, with many altnets competing for coverage and customers.
By combining, FullFibre and Zzoomm aim to create a stronger alternative to large national providers and to encourage further consolidation across the altnet landscape.
See also: CityFibre begins rollout in all nine ‘Project Gigabit’ areas
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