Alncom receives investment funding to expand broadband reach across rural Northumberland

Alncom, based in Alnwick, has received an undisclosed sum from strategic investors and telecom experts Railsite Telecom.

The partnership will rapidly develop Alncom’s footprint in rural broadband across the region and is expected to lead to the creation of more jobs.

Alncom managing director Stephen Pinchen said: “This is a great success story for the community that will improve local telecoms, internet connectivity and provide jobs and investment into the North East.

"Our expertise combined with Railsite’s industry heavyweight experience is an exciting development for the company. The aim now will be to penetrate further into the hardest and most challenging rural locations, with full fibre making the North East one of the best-connected parts of the UK.”

As part of their growth strategy, Alncom have appointed a new operations director, Dave Swanston, who will be in charge of the new build program.

Alncom’s work so far has seen isolated, off-grid communities connected with recent successes transforming life for homes and businesses in the College Valley, Powburn, Ellingham and the Ingram Valley, as well as into County Durham and the Scottish Borders.

Mike Surrey, managing director of Railsite Telecom, said: “We were impressed from the start with Alncom’s track record in ultrafast rural broadband in the North East.

“As a company they deliver at every level and their reputation is outstanding. It complements our expertise improving mobile coverage in Northumberland for railway passengers and rural communities. Put simply, it was a perfect fit.”

Railsite’s chairman, Andy Elliman will be joining the Alncom board.

Andy has been involved in the design and construction of Telecoms networks over three decades and brings a breadth of experience of growing companies in the telecoms sector.

Alncom have a fleet of off-road, go anywhere vehicles, including a cutting edge driverless ‘cable plow’ to rapidly install the latest fibre optic cables.

Alncom’s expansion coincides with an Ipsos Mori study that ultrafast broadband can add £3,500 to a home’s value.

Government broadband vouchers are available to help financially and ministers have pledged to roll out gigabit-capable broadband to 85% of the country by 2025.

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