Broadband ISP Ogi has today published the next phase of their rollout plan for South Wales, which will see their full fibre network coverage jump from a handful of communities to 38 (c.80,000 premises). All of this forms part of their £200m plan to extend a Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network to 150,000 premises by 2025.

At present the provider, which was formerly known as Spectrum Internet and is being backed by Infracapital (M&G Plc), has already connected premises in a number of locations since their rollout started last year (here and here) – including around Haverfordwest, Rhoose, Llantwit Major, St Athan and Abergavenny. The build has also progressed in Johnston, Milford Haven, Dinas Powys and Monmouth etc.

Alternative network (AltNet) providers often spend the first year of deployment refining their approach, while the second year is more of a ramping-up phase as the rollout pace sees a rapid increase. Ogi are very much moving into the latter phase now, and we can thus expect to see a more dramatic improvement in network coverage over the coming year.

Surveying work is already underway in many of the new areas being announced today, with activity due to ramp up at street level over the coming weeks and months. Homes and businesses in many of these communities will be able to access Ogi’s ultrafast service from as early as this September 2022.

Ogi’s Rollout List of 38 “Previously Underserved Communities“

➤ Caerphilly**: Cefn Hengoed*, Gelligaer*, Hengoed^*, Ystrad Mynach*, Maesycymmer*.

➤ Monmouthshire: Abergavenny^, Caerwent*, Caldicot^*, Chepstow*, Crick*, Magor^*, Monmouth^, Portskewett*, Pwllmeyric*, Rogiet*, Sudbrook*, Undy*.

➤ Pembrokeshire: Haverfordwest^, Johnston, Milford Haven^, Monkton*, Neyland^*, Pembroke^*, Pembroke Dock^*

➤ Rhondda Cynon Taf**: Cymmer*, Dinas*, Llwyncelyn*, Mount Pleasant*, Porth^*, Trebanog*, Trehafod*, Ynyshir*.

➤ Vale of Glamorgan: Dinas Powys^, Llantwit Major^, Rhoose, St Athan.

* New towns and villages announced in August 2022 (28 in total)

** New Local Authority areas announced in August 2022 (3 in total)

Ogi added that their staff numbers have also gone from 20 to almost 140 in the space of just 18-months, with the business opening four new regional offices in Newport, Tongwynlais, Cardiff and St Clears, supporting more staff to live and work locally. Today’s announcement also appears to put Ogi “on course to bring fibre to a third of all premises in Pembrokeshire,” which would be a big achievement.

Ben Allwright, Ogi’s Chief Executive Officer, said:

Ogi is leading Wales’s digital revolution by bringing full fibre infrastructure to areas that really need it.

These iconic communities are bursting with innovation and creativity – and they deserve the best connectivity to help them realise their potential. As we’re seeing in places like Pembrokeshire, only Ogi can make that access a reality. Our networks are enabling businesses to thrive, wherever they are based; helping people to work closer to where they live; and families to experience the best possible home entertainment.”

Minister for Climate Change, Julie James MS, said:

“The impact of fast, affordable broadband for homes and businesses across Wales cannot be underestimated. Ogi is helping to deliver that standard across south Wales, supporting Wales in its drive to become a digital nation.”

Beyond the usual focus on rural settings, the latest rollout plan clearly also sees Ogi extending its footprint into bigger, post-industrial urban areas like Bridgend, Caerphilly and Rhondda Cynon Taf. In some of these locations it’s likely that their rollout may clash with gigabit-capable broadband rivals, such as from Openreach, Netomnia (YouFibre) and Virgin Media etc.

Customers of the new service can expect to pay from £35 per month (currently £25 for the first 6 months) for an unlimited service with downloads of 150Mbps (15Mbps upload), free installation (usually £60) and an included wireless router (a mesh system on their faster plans) on a 24-month term, which rises to £55 for their top 900Mbps (90Mbps upload) plan.

There’s seriously a minister for climate change and she’s commenting on a private company’s broadband rollout

Julie James does seem to have somewhat of an expanded role these days, but that’s for a different topic of discussion.

You forget the most critical factor about Welsh climate change – an excuse for privileged overpaid Welsh government workers to work from their second homes!

Oh woe. Glad to see RCT planned.

Any idea on estimated build times?

I’m glad to see RCT on this list also, but of no Ferndale or Tylorstown , but Ynyshir just up the road is there…. I hope it comes further, I’m getting to a stage where the flaky so called super fast broadband is cutting out every 8 days now, just need a better connection that doesn’t break when a rat breaks wind or the heat gets to the aluminium!

nothing in this announcement for Llanelli area then!

It takes time to roll out fibre. No company can do everywhere at once, not even the mighty Openreach…

Glad to see they’re finally employing more staff. Hopefully they’ve bought some proper kit with the appropriate licenses to terminate subscribers, too.

Overpriced provider and speeds not that good.

Very excited for this! Worth noting that Ogi charge ~£10 per month to make their packages symmetric (at least one that’s the price for their 900Mb connection) and this is done on a rolling monthly contract that you can add and remove as needed.

My street in Porthcawl apparently isn’t planned for at least another year, but interestingly a couple of the cul-de-sacs that come off of it, do appear to be being connected in this first phase.

Interesting RE the charge for Symmetrical speeds. Is that on their website? I couldn’t find it earlier when i had a quick look.

it’s not listed on their website, but I spoke to their sales team last week and this was the info they gave me.

Finally I can have better than “up to 36mb” that is being provided by BT.

Happy to pay £55 a month for £900mb when im paying£40 for around 31mb 🙂

I wouldn’t class Porthcawl as a “post-industrial urban area like Bridgend”…

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