Huge boost for rural broadband across the Isle of Wight

WightFibre are today announcing the purchase of the Click4iInternet wireless network, which covers the Isle of Wight and parts of Hampshire around the Solent. The move is a significant step for us and enables the company to now extend its superfast broadband coverage to the whole of the Isle of Wight.

The signing took place at Wightfibre’s head office in Cowes, between (L-R:) Lisa Hollyhead – Click4internet, John Irvine – WightFibre and Frazer Munro of Click4internet.

WightFibre have been providing fibre optic broadband to the island since 2001 and Click4internet high speed rural wireless broadband since 2008. Whilst WightFibre have been working in partnership since 2012 this latest move now secures the opportunity for homes and businesses right across the Island to receive faster broadband from a single Island based provider.

“This move is recognition of the issue faced by many across our Island and reflects the importance we place on focusing on ways to improve rural connectivity beyond where it is today.”

John Irvine, WightFibre CEO

The combination of WightFibre’s extensive technical support and existing infrastructure and Click4Internet’s more rural coverage allows us to now deliver a superior service to more areas of the Island – providing a real alternative, improved choice and additional services for homes and businesses.

Hi-speed internet access is seen as an important contributor to the quality of Island life, from the way we work and how our children learn, to how we spend our leisure time and do our online shopping, through to how we contact public services and keep in touch with loved ones.

Click4Internet Managing Director, Frazer Munro firmly believes that bringing the two networks together is a great deal for the island:

“Click4Internet has been providing service to large areas of the island who have been poorly served by BT. With over 500 homes and businesses on our network we had reached a point where we needed help to accelerate the development and take up of our services. WightFibre will be able to deliver this. We feel we are leaving our existing network and customers in very capable hands”.

Frazer Munro, Click4Internet Managing Director

WIghtFibre continues to lead the way in the roll out of faster broadband for the island and we are already planning upgrades and enhancements to the existing Click4Internet network; improving speeds over the coming months to superfast and also making available phone and TV services to existing Click4Internet customers. These network enhancements are a reflection on our commitment to these customers, the Island and continued investment in its rural economy.

This latest move combined with our continued partnership with Wight Wireless ensures that, in total, over 90% of the Island can now enjoy superfast speeds.

Click4Internet customers can read more here.