Netomnia is proud to announce that Alison Carding, Health, Safety, Quality and Environment (HSQE) Director, has been appointed Vice Chair of SHiFT (Safety & Health in Fibre Telecoms). SHiFT is a collective of fibre network operators working together to raise health, safety, and compliance standards across the industry. The group promotes best practices and shared learning to ensure the highest levels of operational safety.

Alison said: "I'm honoured to take on this role and contribute to SHiFT's mission of ensuring the highest safety and compliance standards across the sector."

Alison's appointment comes ahead of SHiFT's upcoming conference on Wednesday 2nd April at the Heart of England Events and Conferencing Centre near Coventry. The event will bring together industry leaders to discuss safety innovations and improvements in the fibre sector.

For more information, visit SHiFT.

Sophia Koopman, Business Development Director

At the heart of our mission is the ability to connect communities with world-class fibre infrastructure. A critical component of this work is securing wayleaves—permissions that allow us to build our network and bring connectivity to homes and businesses across the UK. Our success depends not only on our technical expertise but also on our ability to navigate complex negotiations.

Overcoming challenges to deliver connectivity

One of the biggest challenges in our industry is obtaining the necessary permissions to build networks and connect customers. Whether working with landlords, local authorities, or private landowners, each case can present its own set of hurdles.

At Netomnia, my team is responsible for engaging proactively, addressing concerns, and finding solutions that benefit all parties involved. By doing so, we ensure that no unnecessary delays hinder our progress in delivering ultrafast broadband to those who need it most.

You might wonder, "If these areas are so complex, why focus on them?".

The answer is simple: eventually, every property in the UK will need to upgrade to full-fibre infrastructure to meet the growing digital demand – and no one should be left behind when it comes to world-class connectivity.

The power of collaboration

Delivering broadband infrastructure at scale is a team effort. From legal and planning teams to engineers and community engagement specialists, collaboration is essential to overcoming roadblocks and keeping network deployments on track. Open communication and problem-solving drive our success, ensuring smoother processes and quicker access for customers.

Adapting and innovating in a changing landscape

Wayleaves and permissions can often be unpredictable, requiring us to stay adaptable and innovative. Whether negotiating new agreements, overcoming legal complexities, or streamlining internal processes, our team's resilience and problem-solving mindset keep us moving forward.

To accelerate network access for Multiple Dwelling Units (MDUs), we developed framework wayleave agreements — a proactive solution designed to remove barriers and simplify the process. These agreements, established between Netomnia and local authorities or housing associations, grant us the necessary permissions to extend our network across an entire housing portfolio. By securing these agreements at scale, we unlock access to thousands of properties, enabling faster deployment, broader coverage, and more customers connected.

Looking ahead

2025 is set to be another milestone year as we aim to secure thousands more permissions, expanding our network even further. As we integrate with brsk, we’ll continue to refine our approach, share best practices, and strengthen Netomnia’s position as the UK’s second-largest alternative network provider.

By staying proactive and solutions-focused, we’ll keep pushing boundaries—one permission at a time—bringing better broadband to more homes and businesses across the UK.

Sophia Koopman

Netomnia, the UK’s second largest altnet, has successfully delivered over 50,000 homes and businesses Ready for Service in Swansea.

Starting in Morriston in 2022, Netomnia has since expanded its XGS-PON network to cover even more areas in Swansea City.

Zoltan Kovacs, Managing Director at Netomnia, said: “Reaching 50,000 premises in Swansea and Morriston is a fantastic milestone for us. Our infrastructure, with its symmetrical ultrafast speeds and reliability, empowers residents and businesses to innovate, collaborate, and stay ahead in a fast-developing digital world. This investment reinforces our commitment to building robust, next-generation connectivity that will support the community’s digital evolution for decades to come.”

The Swansea Bay City Deal's Digital Infrastructure Programme is fully supportive of this growth and actively works with suppliers to ensure that initiatives like Netomnia's can thrive and help drive economic growth, provide a foundation for digital transformation and improve social inclusion.

Cllr Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council and Chair of the Swansea Bay City Deal Joint Committee said: “This is a substantial number of premises across the county, that now have the infrastructure network in place to better their connectivity. Swansea is fast becoming a digital hub in the region and the Swansea Bay City Deal’s continued support of this will only strengthen the county’s position in the future.”

Netomnia’s rollout in Swansea and Morriston is continuing at pace, with plans to deliver thousands more premises in the coming months.

Netomnia works closely with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to deliver its high-speed network to customers and is committed to providing reliable connectivity infrastructure that will best serve communities for years to come.