UK AltNet profile
Gigaclear
Gigaclear is a UK altnet focused on Rural England, using XGS-PON full fibre (Headline numbers table). Headline numbers list premises passed as Approx 612,000 rural premises passed (September 2025) (Headline numbers table). Coverage includes Cotswolds, East Midlands, South West, Welsh borders, with priority on villages and small communities. (Coverage notes).
Gigaclear is the UK's leading rural full-fibre altnet, with a long-standing focus on bringing symmetric gigabit broadband to villages and small communities under-served by Openreach.
What changed: Added answer capsule, key-facts block, question-led headings, speed and premises sections, consumer access guidance, cross-links to cities and compares, and attributed Headline numbers callout for AI citation, 3 June 2026.
Provider directory
For coverage, type, employee estimates and a BroadbandSwitch.uk link for this provider, see the UK provider directory table (613 providers).
Key facts
- Region of focus: Rural England (Headline numbers table).
- Network tech: XGS-PON full fibre (Headline numbers table).
- Premises passed: Approx 612,000 rural premises passed (September 2025) (Headline numbers table).
- Premises ready for service: Approx 550,000 ready for service (Headline numbers table).
- Customers (latest): Approx 160,000 customers (September 2025) (Headline numbers table).
What are Gigaclear's headline numbers?
| Founded | 2010 |
|---|---|
| HQ | Abingdon, Oxfordshire |
| Region of focus | Rural England |
| Premises passed | Approx 612,000 rural premises passed (September 2025) |
| Premises ready for service | Approx 550,000 ready for service |
| Customers (latest) | Approx 160,000 customers (September 2025) |
| Take-up rate | Approx 28 percent |
| Network tech | XGS-PON full fibre |
| Funding raised | Backed by Infracapital, Equitix and Railpen; carrying approximately £1 billion of debt and reportedly seeking a buyer (late 2025) |
| Last funding round | Equity refinancing |
| INCA member | Yes |
| Last updated | 3 June 2026 |
How fast is Gigaclear?
Gigaclear uses XGS-PON full fibre (Headline numbers table). Retail speed tiers depend on the operator's published tariffs and postcode availability.
How many premises has Gigaclear passed?
This profile lists premises passed as Approx 612,000 rural premises passed (September 2025) and premises ready for service as Approx 550,000 ready for service (Headline numbers table).
Who is Gigaclear?
Gigaclear has been building rural full-fibre infrastructure since 2010 and is widely recognised as the UK's leading rural-focused altnet. The network is concentrated across the Cotswolds, East Midlands, South West, and Welsh borders, with significant participation in BDUK regional supplier programmes. Take-up rate is high relative to urban altnets because the alternative is typically slow FTTC or sub-superfast lines.
Where does Gigaclear operate?
Cotswolds, East Midlands, South West, Welsh borders, with priority on villages and small communities.
Which areas is Gigaclear building in?
Oxfordshire villages, East Midlands villages, South West villages, Welsh borders communities.
What partnership routes does Gigaclear offer?
BDUK regional supplier participation. Rural housing association partnerships.
FBRE supports AltNets with geo-targeted tenancy, comparison site builds for resellers, and co-marketing collaborations. Network reach is verified at 12,000,000+ impressions and 730,000+ network clicks in the 12 months to 24 May 2026 (rolling average of 2,000+ clicks per day, rising fast). See AltNet marketing for placement and pricing.
How do I get Gigaclear?
Check postcode availability on Gigaclear's website or a comparison site where the network is live. Gigaclear sells direct to consumers in its build footprint (Coverage notes; Major build areas).
How does FBRE reach Gigaclear-footprint switchers?
- Geo-targeted tenancy on the FBRE network, single site from £99 per month.
- Postcode checker build that surfaces Gigaclear where available, from £4,500.
- Co-marketing on the FBRE AltNet Tracker.
- Comparison engine build for partner resellers, from £7,950.
Where is Gigaclear covered in our research?
FBRE comparison pages featuring Gigaclear:
Gigaclear is named on these city pages:
Where does this Gigaclear profile data come from?
This profile uses INCA member published data where available, the operator's published trading updates and press releases, Ofcom Connected Nations data, and Companies House filings. Figures marked "data pending" reflect commercially confidential or not-yet-published numbers. See methodology for sourcing detail.
Check live gigaclear availability and deals on BroadbandSwitch.uk.