Strategic agreement includes built and work in progress fibre network assets, as well as new Project Gigabit contract
The agreement enables the expansion of CityFibre’s nationwide footprint by up to 185,000 premises
Connexin will extend its ISP and Smart Home services over the CityFibre network through a new nationwide wholesale agreement

CityFibre, the UK’s largest independent full fibre platform, has today announced the acquisition of Connexin’s full fibre infrastructure, establishing a material foothold across Hull and East Riding and enabling the expansion of CityFibre’s footprint by up to 185,000 premises. The agreement will see Connexin’s shareholder, PATRIZIA’s European Infrastructure Fund II, become a minority shareholder in CityFibre.

The acquisition includes Connexin’s built network assets which currently pass more than 80,000 premises, as well as work in progress to a further 20,000 premises and options to extend further throughout Hull over time.

CityFibre will also take on Connexin’s Project Gigabit contract to rollout fast, reliable gigabit-capable broadband to over 34,000 hard-to-reach premises in Nottinghamshire and West Lincolnshire. This will become the tenth Project Gigabit delivery contract secured by CityFibre¹ and will unlock a future expansion to over 50,000 non-subsidised premises in the target regions.

CityFibre will immediately begin integrating Connexin’s XGS-PON network to bring CityFibre’s market-leading wholesale products, pricing and services across the footprint. CityFibre expects to complete the integration later this year, further extending its nationwide network which already passes more than 4.4m premises.

The acquisition underscores CityFibre’s firm commitment to actively engaging in market consolidation as part of its nationwide rollout to more than 8 million premises. It follows CityFibre’s acquisition of Lit Fibre in May 2024, which was fully integrated in less than nine months, demonstrating CityFibre’s ability to integrate and commercialise acquired footprint to drive network growth.

Connexin will now expand nationwide, across CityFibre’s network, and build on its success in Internet of Things (IoT), including rolling out one of the UK’s largest LoRaWAN^® (long range wide-area) networks and winning contracts for over 2 million smart water meters.

Greg Mesch, CEO of CityFibre, said: “Connexin has built an outstanding network and it’s a brilliant fit for CityFibre. Our mature wholesale model will now bring Hull’s homes and businesses increased choice and access to unrivalled connectivity products, services and prices. After our rapid integration of Lit Fibre’s network, we have demonstrated that this is an effective way to expand our footprint and we look forward to playing an active role in the sector’s accelerating consolidation in 2025.

“Given our major role in the government’s Project Gigabit rollout, we are also pleased to take on a further contract, delivering next-generation digital infrastructure for more hard-to-reach rural communities across Nottingham and West Lincolnshire.”

Furqan Alamgir, CEO of Connexin, said: “We're thrilled to partner with CityFibre as we focus on our national growth strategy. This partnership will bring the best of our combined expertise to consumers and businesses alike across the UK.

“The next phase of our growth is tremendously exciting as we accelerate our focus on expanding our Smarter Home, Business, Enterprise, Public Sector and Utilities products and services across the UK, enabling these rapidly evolving markets to achieve ambitious goals through adopting smarter technology.”

Phoebe Smith, Managing Director, PATRIZIA Infrastructure, said: "This agreement is a great step forward for infrastructure competition in Hull. We’re delighted to be joining as CityFibre shareholders and to support its continued expansion and success as the UK’s leading full fibre wholesale platform.

“We’re very proud of everything Connexin has achieved, and we look forward to continuing to support its growth as a leading provider of LoRaWAN^®and IoT infrastructure”

Cameron Barney Herbst Hilgenfeldt acted as financial advisor for Connexin. Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe acted as legal advisor to Connexin. PwC supported CityFibre with financial and Tax due diligence. Bristows LLP acted as legal advisor to CityFibre. Cartesian acted as integration advisor to CityFibre.