11/09/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/09/2026 07:06
IW Chamber member WightFibre is celebrating another significant achievement, having exceeded 30,000 customers as its ambitious Gigabit Island project continues to transform connectivity across the Isle of Wight.
The Cowes-based company has also surpassed 40% customer penetration across its broadband network footprint, equivalent to around 34% market share across the Island, placing it among the UK's strongest-performing alternative broadband providers.
Backed by more than £110 million of investment, WightFibre's Gigabit Island project has already brought full-fibre connectivity within reach of 75,000 Island premises, representing 91% coverage. The company is now working towards 95% coverage by March 2028, with an ultimate ambition of reaching 97-98%.
John Irvine, Chief Executive Officer of WightFibre, said, "Reaching 30,000 customers and surpassing 40% penetration is a tremendous achievement for the entire WightFibre team. These figures place us amongst the best-performing altnets in the UK and demonstrate the confidence that Isle of Wight residents and businesses have in our network, our people and our service."
As a major Island employer and investor, WightFibre's continued growth is a positive example of the innovation and ambition within the local business community. Its investment in digital infrastructure is also helping Island businesses access the reliable, high-speed connectivity they need to operate, compete and grow. With the next phase of the rollout focused on harder-to-reach communities, WightFibre remains committed to extending the benefits of full-fibre broadband across the Island.