Three UK reaches agreement to acquire UK Broadband Limited but "will not affect customers in Swindon"

Three UK has reached an agreement to acquire UK Broadband Limited, whose subsidiary UKB Networks are engaged in a £2 million partnership with Swindon Borough Council to provide a 4G wireless broadband network for the town.

UK Broadband Limited provides broadband access to 15,000 customers in the UK and would become a wholly owned subsidiary of Three UK. 

The transaction is subject to the fulfilment of a number of conditions before completion can take place.

Dave Dyson, Chief Executive of Three UK, said: “UK Broadband gives us an opportunity to expand our ambition to provide high quality and great value internet connectivity for UK consumers.”

Three UK will pay £250 million for UK Broadband Limited upon completion. A deferred £50 million will be made available as a credit toward an MVNO agreement on Three’s network. 

Nick James, CEO of UK Broadband, said: "The recently announced sale of UK Broadband to Three UK, which is expected to close later this year, will not have any effect on the service provided to customers in Swindon".

The ongoing broadband debate has involved several flash-points, with UK Broadband Networks, who are offering a 4G wireless option back by SBC, coming under attack from North Swindon residents repeatedly over the last 18 months.

Swindon Borough Council’s planning committee rejected all five sites at its February 2016 meeting after fierce campaigning from North Swindon residents and local councillors who argued that the 4G plan is outdated technology and a high speed fibre solution was more appropriate.

These calls were subsequently answered by BT/Openreach and Virgin Media, who have been working on providing the latest Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) broadband for residents.

Cllr Elliot took to social media in December 2016 to provide a lengthy update on the ongoing situation and reassure residents that the project has not simply been put on the back burner.