Alternative network operator and ISP LightSpeed Broadband, which was last year acquired by Kompass Kapital (here) after suffering job cuts and a build slowdown in the East of England (here), has today relaunched itself with a new 2Gbps full fibre package, branding, home security solution and network expansion plans.
The operator currently claims to have already expanded their gigabit-capable broadband network to cover 250,000 premises in the East of England and West Midlands (unchanged from May 2024) – reflecting builds across parts of 32 market towns in South Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire and Rutland. But they also previously held an aspiration toward reaching 1 million homes in the future.
Lightspeed has now announced that, over the next 3 years (i.e. by 2027), they will aim to extend their full fibre network to cover “more than 150,000 new premises” across 21 new towns (i.e. a total of 400,000 premises passed), while also adding 38,000 residential customers and serving 47 total towns, including 6,000 businesses. This is being supported by fresh funding from Kompass Kapital.
On top of this, the provider has today introduced a new 2Gbps symmetric broadband package, which costs £64.99 per month on a 24-month term (their cheapest residential plan starts at just £24.99 for 150Mbps). In addition, customers will still have access to the provider’s Digital Voice range with home phone line company KIT.
Brett Shepherd, LightSpeed CEO, said:
“Our development of the LightSpeed brand this year is a game changer for our existing and future customers. Symmetrical upload and download speeds of up to 2,000Mbps, alongside an expanded offering and coverage area, means there’s never been a better time to join our growing family of satisfied customers.
We now cover more than 250,000 homes and businesses across the East of England and West Midlands, with plans to expand to more than 400,000 by 2027.
Broadband is just the beginning; we’re immediately offering LightSpeed customers the option of top-of-the-range home security systems. Houses with ultra-fast broadband are future-proofed, and security is a crucial consideration for a comfortable, happy home.
And that’s just the start. Our ambition is to become a one-stop shop, simplifying the management of all household digital services in one convenient place.”
Finally, LightSpeed has rounded off a busy re-launch by introducing some new Home Security bundles – in partnership with SimpliSafe (they have more plans to expand this offering in the coming months). Three systems will be on offer with the SimpliSafe range and we’ve summarised them all below.
· The Starter is SimpliSafe’s introductory system – earning Best Buy status from Which? – including an entry sensor, motion sensor and wired HD indoor camera, controlled via a keypad sensor and managed by a base station with backup battery.
· The Tower with all the features of the Starter package, an extra entry sensor and a wired HD outdoor camera to monitor visitors (whether welcome or not!), plus a complimentary SimpliSafe bell box deterrent with flashing light and 105db siren, which activates if a sensor is triggered
· The Edinburgh – SimpliSafe’s premium system – including all the above features, plus two key fobs, an extra motion sensor and entry sensor, a temperature sensor (warning of freezing pipes) and water sensor (detecting leaks)
Overall, this sounds like LightSpeed Broadband has been reinvigorated by their recent investment boost and are thus returning to a more positive build trajectory. But we still don’t know precisely which new towns they’ll be covering, while the wider economic challenges of the current market may continue to put pressure on their efforts, just as it does for all operators.