Connecting rural communities

Bringing broadband access to the UK countryside.

Sector	Infrastructure
Sub-sector	Technology
Location	United Kingdom

Approach

Macquarie Capital has committed an initial investment of £10m in Voneus, with potential to invest up to £30m. Proceeds will be used to refinance debt and support the roll out of high-speed broadband to rural communities in parts of the UK.

Outcome

By using Macquarie Capital’s unique principal investment and development expertise there is a significant opportunity for Voneus to accelerate the deployment of UK rural broadband, this will help unlock significant economic and social benefits for the UK.

900,000 homes

Voneus will focus on the up to 900,000 homes across the UK countryside who still don’t have access to superfast broadband services

£26 billion a year

Research by Rural England and Scotland’s Rural College has found that rural companies could add up to £26 billion a year to the economy if their digital capability was fulfilled

Fixed wireless service

Macquarie’s investment will help speed-up the rollout of fixed wireless services in hard-to-reach communities, and longer term, Voneus intend to rollout full fibre (FTTH) services

Connecting rural communities

Bringing broadband access to the UK countryside.

Opportunity

Less than ten per cent of UK homes have access to full fibre broadband infrastructure with many rural communities relying on slow connections, delivered over copper lines, many built decades ago. Voneus specialises in providing superfast broadband access to rural areas.