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Today, full fibre broadband provider Fibrus has reiterated its promise of zero mid contract price hikes in the wake of significant industry price rises. The company has promised that the only ‘hikes’ they are interested in are those that support its communities, including its recent charity hike to the iconic hiking spot Slieve Donard in County Down.

This week, it is expected that BT, Talk Talk and Sky will announce that their tariff will rise by a significant amount, which is likely to be followed by other broadband providers. This comes at a time when the cost-of-living crisis is affecting the nation, with Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis stating just last week that “Broadband is very worrying, many [providers] have clauses allowing them to increase prices mid contract”. Fibrus has guaranteed that it will not increase its prices mid contract. For customers in connectable locations who are currently in a contract with another broadband provider, Fibrus offers a buyout, as well as price certainty for the contract duration – a significant promise that will benefit many families and individuals across Northern Ireland.

Fibrus is only focusing on the sort of hikes that benefit the communities in which it operates, including its recent charity climb up Northern Ireland’s highest peak, Slieve Donard. A team of 28 Fibrus employees took part in the hike in support of Cancer Fund for Children. Fibrus’ other charitable endeavors include its ongoing partnership with the Community Fund. Over the last 12 months alone, the company has supported almost 5,000 residents in local communities, investing almost £60,000 to help those effected by digital poverty and enabling people to stay connected.

Dominic Kearns, CEO of Fibrus, comments: “At Fibrus, we are committed to our loyal customers and promise not to increase their prices mid contract, unlike what we are seeing for the players that dominate the market. 

We understand the importance of spending certainty for customers in these difficult times. We also offer contract buy-outs for those who are looking to benefit from our full fibre broadband at really affordable prices. It’s safe to say that the only hikes we’ll be focusing on are the ones that benefit our communities, much like our recent charity hike.”

For further details on Fibrus, visit: https://www.fibrus.com/broadband-nopricehikes

Fibrus has announced a new partnership with Coleraine Football Club. The full fibre broadband provider said it’s delighted to support the Irish Premiership club and both the men’s and women’s teams, as part of its mission to connect communities and bring people together.

To date, Fibrus has completed extensive works across over 160,000 premises in the country, as part of its pledge to improve and extend digital infrastructure to the people of Northern Ireland. Coleraine is one of the latest towns in Northern Ireland to become connectable to fibrefast broadband, with over 12,000 homes and businesses in the area now having the ability to access this service – something that makes a huge difference to communities in the local area.

Fibrus’ Chief Operating Officer Shane Haslem said:

“Sport is a great unifier of communities, just like broadband. As Fibrus helps to level up rural and remote parts of Northern Ireland by providing previously underserved areas with access to full fibre broadband, we want to assist Coleraine FC in its quest to serve communities both on and off the pitch.”

It’s that sense of community focus that Mr Haslem says is so important.

“By its very nature, Coleraine FC – its players, support staff and fans – have an incredible bond with the wider community. We too have an important part to play in the local community as we continue to build critical digital infrastructure. As such, working with and supporting our communities plays a key role in everything we do.”

The announcement comes hot on the heels of the club’s 4-1 win last Saturday against Portadown FC.

Coleraine FC Chairman Colin McKendry said:

“We are grateful for the support Fibrus has given us and are delighted to partner with a company which is as committed to the local community as we are. We value our position in the heart of the community and, in conjunction with Fibrus, this is something which is sure to drive forward future success for all involved.”

Fibrus looks forward to the continued partnership across 2023 and beyond.

Full fibre broadband provider Fibrus has signalled its commitment to supporting women in their careers by becoming one of the founding members of a brand new jobs platform.

Timely Careers has been designed specifically to support women by providing access to training programmes, peer support sessions, mentoring, CV writing assistance and more, to help them move forward in their careers.

Whether that’s a choice to return to work or change direction, Timely Careers will provide resources and employment opportunities on conditions that work for both women and employers.

As one of the platform’s founding partners, Fibrus has signed up to Timely for an initial two-year period as the company strives to build a more diverse colleague base and has set itself challenging gender balance targets.

Fibrus believes that this innovative platform will help encourage more women into the telecoms sector and promote the career opportunities that exists within the industry.

Chief People Officer Linda McMillan said the company offers a dynamic work environment and specific opportunities for women wishing to enter the telecoms sector or return to the work following a career break.

“We chose to be part of this scheme for many reasons,” Linda said.

“Fibrus is all about connecting communities and giving back to those areas in which we operate, which is why we wanted to become one of Timely’s founder partners.

“We want people to know that we’re here to support, educate and deliver opportunities to females regardless of the stage they are at in their career, or are taking the huge step of returning to the workplace following a break.

“A diverse and inclusive colleague base brings benefits to a business and adds value to its bottom line – that’s why Fibrus encourages women to consider working here.

“If we can help give women the confidence to step back into work, or support them in a career change, that’s where we want to be. It’s a hugely exciting initiative to be a part of.”

Incentives at Fibrus include flexible working, remote/hybrid roles, job share opportunities, upskilling and career development.

“Fibrus is a great place to work for a variety of reasons,” Linda said.

“We are in growth mode, which offers interesting and varied work and opportunities for rapid career progression that you may not necessarily get in more established organisations.

“But more importantly, there are flexible working patterns and family friendly policies, great benefits and a supportive working environment with learning and development opportunities, all of which are provided in a company culture that encourages you to be yourself.”

Linda said the jobs on offer will vary but, generally, most of the roles available can feasibly be worked on a flexible, part-time, job share or compressed hours basis.

Vacancies at the company currently advertised on Timely include Fibre Ambassadors, Technician, Network Engineers, Event Sales Champion and Customer Service Agent.

Fibrus is on target to achieve 34% female employee representation by the end of March this year, with a longer-term aim of having a workplace that is 50% female by 2028.

Timely is a social enterprise under the auspices of Women in Business, the Northern Ireland business networking company.

The service aims to help females contribute to the success of the local economy while also ensuring career flexibility for those particular women without reducing their value in the workplace.

Other founding members of Timely include Danske Bank, Deloitte, Hughes Insurance, Version 1, Allstate and NIE Networks

Full fibre broadband provider Fibrus has been awarded four prestigious accreditations, marking it out as a leader in the telecommunications sector in the UK.

The locally-based company, which employs more than 340 people directly and a further 900 indirectly through build partners and subcontractors, has been awarded ISO 45001; ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 certifications across health and safety, environmental and quality management (HSEQ) respectively.

Furthermore, it has also been awarded ISO 27001 accreditation, the global standard for information security management systems.

John Evans, Head of HSEQ at Fibrus, said the accolades demonstrate the broadband provider’s commitment to being at the forefront of best practice in telecommunications.

“These externally-awarded accreditations highlight our commitment to quality, safety, and environmental considerations. These underpin the design, planning and roll-out of our wider infrastructure across Northern Ireland and Great Britain as part of our crusade to eradicate digital poverty, particularly in rural areas.

“As a responsible business, we recognise that we have an important part to play in protecting our environment for future generations. That’s why working to these standards will help assure our customers, colleagues and stakeholders that sustainability is an integral component of our wider plans,” he said.

Chris McMackin, the company’s Head of IT and Information Security, explained the importance of protecting the organisation’s people, processes and technology.

“Achieving ISO 27001 certification provides assurance to our customers, colleagues and stakeholders that Fibrus takes information security seriously. It demonstrates we are focused on their needs and want to address any feelings of insecurity, something which is invaluable in today’s digital world,” he said.

As a result of the scale of the firm’s infrastructure projects across the UK, creating a culture of continuous improvement was “paramount”, according to Shane Haslem, Fibrus’ Chief Operating Officer.

“HSEQ and information security processes are fully integrated into our day-to-day planning and operational decisions. Fibrus has a culture of continuous improvement and having achieved all of these accreditations within the past year – coupled with constant monitoring, measurement and evaluation – further highlights our commitment to best practice,” he said.

Full fibre broadband provider Fibrus is delighted to announce the next tranche of funding it plans to distribute across Northern Ireland through the Community Foundation NI. By the end of this year, Fibrus will have offered a total contribution of £120,000 to the fund, offering a lifeline to communities in need across the country.

The fund, with the aim of helping address digital poverty in rural areas, has a particular focus on grassroots organisations that support older people and young people (aged 18 and under). Having already provided funding of just under £60,000 since September 2021, nearly 5,000 people from across Northern Ireland have already benefitted from the fund to date. Two further rounds of funding, totalling £60,000, will be distributed by the Fibrus Community Fund in 2023 helping to bridge the digital divide in Northern Ireland.

Some examples of the projects supported so far include the provision of devices to Sensory Kids in Ballymena which has helped children with special needs communicate in a way more comfortable for them, and iPads for St Joseph’s Primary School in Cookstown as additional learning tools for pupils.

The next round of funding opens on Monday 23^rd January and will close on 20^th February, with an additional round opening in August. The date of which will be confirmed nearer the time.

Speaking as one of the recipients in the last round, Nicolette Campbell of St Joseph’s Primary School Fundraising Group said: 

“We were amazed when we were awarded funding from the Fibrus Community Fund to purchase new iPads as learning tools for both in school or at home. We were also able to purchase the application to link these devices straight to the overhead white boards in the school.

“This project allowed us to make IT more accessible to both the young people and their families as we plan to do a school community loan service, along with allowing the young people within the school to use these devices and create digital workshops, increasing confidence and on-line awareness.”

Linda McMillan, Chief People Officer at Fibrus, said:

“Fibrus is committed to supporting the communities in which we operate and this is shown by doubling our contribution to date to the Fibrus Community Fund. By working in partnership with the Community Foundation NI, we are able to provide transformational help to organisations doing wonderful work across thriving towns and villages in Northern Ireland.

“It is important to us to support projects that are specifically aimed at young people who have a need for increased access to technology or connectivity, as well as initiatives that combat digital exclusion amongst the elderly or those most vulnerable in our society. We are delighted to have helped so many people through the fund and look forward to seeing how the fund will enhance the lives and work of others over the next year.”

Dawn Weir, Grants Manager at Community Foundation NI, said:

“The extension of the Fibrus Community Fund, and the doubling their impact this year, will make a real difference to so many grassroots, rural community organisations and we are delighted to once again be partnering with Fibrus on the roll out of this funding.

“The current cost of living crisis is making a huge impact across our society and rural community groups are being hit very hard. When other priorities result in funding being diverted towards additional heating, staff costs or simply keeping their doors open, the Fibrus Community Fund is a lifeline to ensuring that groups can stay connected digitally and provide much needed services to the local community.”

To learn more about how to apply to the Fibrus Community Fund, visit https://communityfoundationni.org/funds/the-fibrus-community-fund/.

Fibrus has announced a new five-year sponsorship deal with Antrim GAA.

The hyperfast full fibre broadband provider said the company is proud to become the Saffron County’s official sponsor, supporting the Senior, U20 and U17 football and hurling teams.

Fibrus Co-Founders Dominic Kearns (Chief Executive) and Conal Henry (Chairperson), and all of its senior executives, were at a special event at the Hilton Hotel in Belfast on December 1 to publicly announce the deal.

The Belfast-based company teamed up with Antrim representatives to kick off the new sponsorship arrangement, including hurling legends Neil McManus, Conal Cunning and football stars Ryan Murray and Dermot McAleese.

Speaking at the launch, Kearns, a Saffron County native and an ex-Antrim player, said the move demonstrated Fibrus’ desire to give back to local communities.

“Fibrus is all about connecting communities and bringing people together – much like Antrim GAA,” he said.

“Indeed, sport has always been something which connects people across the board and – not unlike broadband – it is also a great unifier of communities.

“As Fibrus helps to level up rural and remote parts of the north by providing previously underserved areas with access to full fibre broadband, we stand beside Antrim GAA as it continues to serve communities off the pitch, while also striving for success on it.”

Kearns added: “And while Fibrus remains committed to building the critical 21^st century infrastructure, we will also continue to focus on what we, as a company, can do for those in the society we serve.”

Antrim GAA County Chairperson Ciarán McCavana said they were delighted to welcome Fibrus on board as the primary sponsor.

“We are really looking forward to working with Fibrus over the next five years to begin with and look forward to seeing the teams in action wearing this fantastic new jersey,” McCavana said.

“The commercial relationship with Fibrus will help drive future success for Antrim GAA, both on and off the field.

“This funding will also further enhance the opportunities for our athletes to reach the next level as they constantly strive to improve.”

As part of the partnership, Fibrus’ name and logo will appear on the front of the new Antrim GAA senior, minor and under-20 team jerseys and also on all leisure wear. It can be purchased in stores and online from December 8.

This historic sponsorship deal will be vital in ensuring participation levels in Gaelic games continue to grow in Antrim. The funding will also ensure all teams from Senior to underage have access to the equipment, conditioning and nutrition needed to compete at the highest possible level.

Currently transforming digital infrastructure in the UK, Fibrus has invested over £500m to bring full fibre broadband to rural homes and businesses in towns and villages across Northern Ireland and Northern England. Already, 200,000 homes have been passed across Northern Ireland and Cumbria, and Fibrus is on target to pass 250,000 homes by March 2023.

Work has started to connect tens of thousands of people living and working in rural Cumbria to lightning-fast broadband thanks to more than £100 million of government investment.

Around 60,000 premises in the county will be connected to the fastest broadband on the market after Belfast-based supplier Fibrus signed the biggest contract yet under the government’s Project Gigabit programme.

Project Gigabit is the biggest broadband roll out in British history, backed with £5 billion to deliver faster connections to hard-to-reach areas that would otherwise have missed out.

Gigabit-capable networks are fast and fit for the future, allowing users to work, stream and scroll online without the battle for bandwidth or disruption often experienced with ageing networks.

Dominic Kearns, CEO of Fibrus, said: “Fibrus considers it a privilege to deliver a transformative project for Cumbria which will change the lives of people living in rural and regional areas. Fibrus is committed to supporting local communities, ensuring any work undertaken in our name supports apprenticeships and allows more people to reap the benefits of full fibre.

“This win helps us further our mission and commitment to bring fast, reliable and affordable broadband to all.”

In a huge boost for jobs and skills for Cumbria, Fibrus has committed to creating at least 90 apprenticeships following the government investment. These will cover a range of roles, from underground and overhead cabling to surveying, and Fibrus has also committed to establish an apprentice training academy at Newton Rigg near Penrith.

Michelle Donelan, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), said: “We’re steaming ahead with our plan to level up internet speeds across Cumbria, which will see the biggest investment to date from the government’s Project Gigabit – the biggest broadband roll out in British history.

“Tens of thousands of rural homes and businesses will be able to plug into faster connections in the new network, allowing Cumbrian communities to take full advantage of the endless benefits lightning-fast broadband has to offer.”

The investment will also directly support small businesses in rural areas across the county, just in time for Small Business Saturday, which shines a light on the 5.5 million small businesses registered in the UK.

David Southward MBE, Cumbria County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Digital Champion, said: “Improved digital infrastructure remains a top priority given the significant economic and social benefits for Cumbria and I am delighted that Cumbria will be in the vanguard for investment under Project Gigabit. 

“I am especially glad to see the Newton Rigg College site again being used for training professionals who will be part of delivering this investment in our region. 

“Access to fast, reliable internet connectivity is no longer a luxury; it is a basic necessity for residents, local businesses and the delivery of public services. The importance of resilient connectivity has been further highlighted by last winter’s storms and the coronavirus pandemic. This £108m investment will help people and businesses access faster internet which will in turn allow them to flourish in a modern, global job market and unlock the economic potential of the region.”

Installation work is already underway in the region, with the first gigabit connections expected by the spring.

It comes as the firm recently unveiled over half of the 85,000 Northern Ireland premises scheduled for improved broadband access under Project Stratum, in predominantly rural areas, can now connect to gigabit capable broadband.

Antrim hurler Neil McManus has teamed up with Fibrus to join a host of Gaelic games stars from all corners of Ireland who will be travelling to East Africa as part of a week-long tour.

Taking place in Kenya from November 19 to 27, the historic games are the brainchild of Warriors for Humanity founder and former Galway dual player Alan Kerins and will feature 50 male and female inter-county Gaelic games players from football, hurling, camogie and ladies football. The aim is to highlight the impact of climate change and raise sufficient funds to plant one million trees in Africa.

Joining Neil will be an array of talent from Gaelic games including Wexford’s Matthew O’Hanlon, Kerry’s Stefan Okunbor, Kilkenny’s Grace Walsh and Niamh O’Sullivan of Meath, amongst others. Fibrus, the Northern Ireland based broadband provider, has pledged to support the project with a donation of €10,000.

Speaking ahead of the journey, Neil McManus said he was “proud and excited to support this fantastic initiative”.

“I’m deeply grateful to Fibrus for their support in allowing me to do so,” he said.

“The funds raised will go to Self Help Africa to support the planting of trees, essential not only to combating the increasing impact of climate change but also as a way of providing sustainable income for local communities.”

Speaking at the launch, Fibrus Chief Operating Officer Shane Haslem said the company takes its ESG commitments seriously.

“As a responsible business, we recognise that we have an important part to play in responding to environmental issues. Sustainability is a key component of our strategy and we are always striving to implement robust environmental practices.

“At Fibrus, we’re all about giving back to the communities in which we operate and connecting communities is at the heart of our culture. Neil McManus is not only known for the impact he has on the field of play, but also embodies this ethos so we are delighted to support him in this very worthwhile initiative, one which will change so much for the people of Kenya,” he said.

The players will take to the field for a challenge match at Nairobi Rugby Club, the first time an inter-county game will be played in Kenya. The trip will include representatives of all four codes: football, hurling, camogie and ladies football.

In addition to the games, the players will also take part in a series of cultural events to highlight the work being done by charities such as Self Help Africa in the country.

Founder of Warriors for Humanity and Plant the Planet Games, Alan Kerins said:

“It is incredible to have fifty warriors signed up, each one committing to raise funds in support of what is one of the biggest challenges of our lifetime, that of climate change. This campaign, from which some of the world’s most vulnerable communities will benefit, will leave a lasting legacy in more ways than one, improving quality of living both in the present day and for future generations.

“This will also be the first time inter-county players will take to the field against one another on Kenyan soil, and we are hopeful that, along with the funds raised, this significant milestone will leave a lasting and positive impression on Kenya’s communities. As it has in many countries around the world, Gaelic games have an ability to bring communities together for a greater good and we are sure this campaign will be no different.”

Northern Ireland full fibre broadband provider Fibrus has launched a new product which aims to fight the ever-rising cost of doing business.

The service, featuring locked-in prices, has been developed in response to the challenges faced by local SMEs (small to medium-sized enterprises) and won’t charge a connection fee or be subject to annual CPI increases.

Targeted at businesses with under 10 employees, Fibrus Business Broadband will allow companies to “save money with confidence”, according to Chief Financial Officer Colin Hutchinson.

“It’s a fact that SMEs are the backbone of Northern Ireland’s economy, which is why it’s incumbent upon us to support them as they continue to face unprecedented business and inflationary costs.

“With no connection fee and a contract which won’t be subject to annual CPI increases or price jumps at the end of its term, we believe this is an opportunity to provide a sense of financial stability at a time where there is generally little certainty,” he said.

“That’s part and parcel of why we are bringing this to local businesses,” added Mr Hutchinson.

“Fibrus is a local company and we understand the issues facing local business people.

“It’s essential that our SMEs are given the support they need to grow and thrive, particularly in the current economic climate.”

Glyn Roberts, Chief Executive of Retail NI, welcomed the news. The trade body is partnering with Fibrus to highlight the opportunity the new broadband offer will provide businesses.

“Amidst unprecedented inflationary pressures, high business rates, spiralling energy costs, it is important to recognise the importance of what that means to our local companies.

“Doing business has become almost prohibitively expensive and this will make day-to-day operations easier and therefore more efficient.

“Any savings in the current climate must be welcomed, so we’re looking forward to developing our relationship with Fibrus for the good of our members, and their customers,” he said

Learn how much you could save on your business broadband today at fibrus.com/business

A fast and reliable internet connection has become essential to running a business effectively.

Whether you’re emailing, file sharing or taking payments, a fibrefast service can save you time, money and frustration, eliminating the lag downtime and buffering that can hold your business back.

Basically, you need a service that works as hard as you – but how do you choose the best fit?

Firstly, identify your business needs.

What types of internet dependant activities is your business involved in, and how often?

Will they all need to function at the same time?

Full Fibre

Fibre cables are capable of faster connection speeds than copper. Fibrus provide full fibre right to your premises (FTTP) instead of just to your nearest cabinet (FTTC), meaning you get fibrefast speeds direct to your business.

Download speed

Download speeds will be important to most businesses but not all activity require the same speeds. Streaming, downloading large files and video calls need the most download speed. It’s also important to note that more devices using your connection can affect your speed. So, if you offer guest WIFI, for example, you’ll need a connection that supports it.

What’s right for your business broadband usage?

• Up to 150 Mb – perfect for up to 3 users/devices
• Up to 300Mb – perfect for up to 5 users/devices
• Up to 900Mb – perfect forup to 10 users/devices

Upload speed

Uploading is used for sharing files with one or more other users. If you need to share large files, use cloud-based applications, or have regular video calls, upload speeds will be an important consideration for your business. Fibrus offer some of the best broadband upload speeds in the market.

Need more than just a connection? Consider bundling!

You will likely need extras like WIFI boosters and Digital Voice services. These are usually cheaper when included in a bundle, so taking time to consider how important each of them are to how your business works should help you chose between business CORE PRO and MAX packages.

WIFI booster

A WIFI booster helps extend the reach of your wireless signal (WIFI signal). By improving your WIFI coverage, you eliminate dead spots in your premises and improve your speed and connection.

Enhanced SLA

SLAs are a customer support agreement that mean you’ll get the help you need if there’s ever a problem with your connection.

We run our own network, so we’re always in control. That means we won’t outsource any fault management to others. So if you have an issue with your broadband, you can speak to us directly. You’ll always be able to get the answers and help you need from our support team, who are based here in the UK.

Plus, with Fibrus business broadband PRO and MAX options, you can expect prioritised support and faster repairs within guaranteed timescales.

Digital Voice Anytime

Fibrus Business Broadband Pro and Max bundles provide a digital phone line with fully inclusive calls to landlines and mobile phones across the UK and Ireland. This provides all your local and national telephony needs as part of a complete bundle.

Static IP

Fibrus can assign a static IP address that will be dedicated to your broadband service. This can be important if you are running servers or certain equipment that requires a static IP address. If choosing a static IP, it is provided without a modem and will not have the option of ordering digital voice anytime or WIFI boosters.

Price locked in for the contract

Our packages are bundled and priced according to their features and speed. We know the cost pressures businesses are facing, so at Fibrus we are guaranteeing your price will never change for the duration of your contract. In addition, our out-of-contract pricing is the same as the price you pay today, so you can trust our pricing to be inflation busting.

So Fibrus can give you a business broadband that works as hard as you. If you’re ready to sign up or need some guidance, our customer service team are on hand to help guide you through the process.

Contact us on 02890 994060 or business@fibrus.com.