OCU Group Limited (“OCU”) has recently further expanded its already large footprint in the UK telecoms sector and added support that it provides to some of the country’s leading telecoms operators after securing new contract wins with existing clients including CityFibre, VM02, Openreach and most recently with new client KCOM, who are looking to bring full fibre superfast broadband to properties across Hull and East Yorkshire. These wins mark the latest steps in OCU’s telecoms growth plans.
In West Yorkshire, OCU is already working as CityFibre’s principal contractor for the build of a new Leeds network. Sheffield, Wakefield and Rotherham networks are also being upgraded with all homes to be connected by March 2025. In the Northwest and the South, OCU has further secured CityFibre builds in towns and cities including Luton, Reading, High Wycombe, Wokingham Wigan, Warrington and St Helens.
Progress with VMO2 on the Fibre-Up programme commenced in the Merseyside and Watford areas earlier this year and plans are already afoot to expand delivery on this programme in Yorkshire and the Northwest next year and further into the Southeast; further adding to OCU’s portfolio of Infill works.
OCU have added build areas in South Wales, Greater Manchester and Yorkshire to their already established works in London and the Home Counties on Openreach’s Fibre Cities Programme and the business looks forward to continue serving Openreach on their Fibre 26 programme.
In the Nottingham area, OCU has recently commenced works, building a new FTTP network for Gigaclear with whom they began working with in South Wales and the Southeast two years ago.
KCOM, CityFibre, Gigaclear, Openreach and the VM02 Infill works programme are all supporting the UK government’s £5 billion Project Gigabit by providing next generation connectivity for homes and businesses across the UK. The government is committed to ensuring 85% of UK homes have access to ultrafast broadband by 2025, up from the current 70%.
To optimise the capabilities of OCU and support its rapid growth, new office and depot facilities are being established in Nottingham and Wigan along with the creation of a new Regional Service Centre in Leeds and upgrades to existing facilities in Borehamwood, Sheffield and Luton, where colocation with some client teams is now becoming the norm.
Vital support is being provided by OCU’s recent acquisition ventures with FKS in the Northwest, Opals Group in the East of England and InICT in Yorkshire.
Michael Hughes, Chief Executive Officer of OCU Group, said:
“The further expansion of our activities across Yorkshire and the Humber with KCOM extends our telecoms contracting footprint across England and Wales, marking another step in our ambitious plans to increase our nationwide rollout capabilities and in turn, support the future of the UK’s economy. Whether it’s for businesses, or families keeping in touch with loved ones, being connected is increasingly vital in today’s world. We strive to provide the best possible services to our clients, and I look forward to OCU continuing the deployment of fibre infrastructure around the country as we help more people stay connected.”
