Members of the Independent Networks Co-operative Association have given the Budget a broad 'thumbs up'. INCA's chair David Cullen said, "It is very encouraging that the Chancellor has further reinforced the commitment to Full Fibre and 5G. INCA members look forward to helping develop both policy strands."
The Altnets are growing into a significant force, reaching more than 650,000 premises with full fibre connections in both urban and rural areas, with plans to reach 5m by 2020. Many more homes and businesses are reached by fixed wireless operators delivering superfast services in challenging rural locations. The budget announcements will help accelerate the growth of this competitive sector, giving confidence to investors that there is strong support for the new policy direction announced by the Government last Autumn. Growth in the altnet sector will in turn spur the incumbents to do more.
Malcolm Corbett, INCA's CEO said, "We have regular contact with government officials and Ofcom and are keen to help make the Full Fibre and 5G strategy a reality. Building the new infrastructure is good for the economy and good for the U.K. as a whole."