Digital Infrastructure partners with Wesco Anixter to deliver its nationwide full fibre rollout

Alternative network (altnet) provider Digital Infrastructure has partnered with leading global supply chain solutions provider Wesco Anixter to support its nationwide rollout of a full fibre network. 

The multi-year agreement — which entails building a fixed line network for Digital Infrastructure — will enable Wesco Anixter to work as a strategic partner and provide operational solutions to the altnet provider as the firm continues to expand its full fibre network. 

Digital Infrastructure’s sister brand and internet service provider (ISP) BeFibre will also receive support from Wesco Anixter as part of the contract agreement — allowing the broadband provider to focus on the ‘final mile’ of delivery and consumer uptake of the network. 

The partnership is a result of the firms working in close collaboration for over 12 months as Digital Infrastructure and BeFibre progress from ambitious start-ups to established brands. Under the agreement, Wesco Anixter will provide end-to-end supply chain management expertise, as well as cost-effective deployment, passive infrastructure provisioning, inventory control, delivery of all installation materials, and strategic sourcing expertise to help Digital Infrastructure manage spend within its supply chain.

Rick Arsenault, VP & GM of Global Service Providers, Broadband and Wireless at Wesco Anixter said “We’re delighted to support both companies achieve their goal of deploying fibre to the home networks to enable high-speed broadband connections for customers throughout their serving areas.  Wesco Anixter is recognized as the leading telecom distributor providing end-to-end support and supply chain expertise enabling efficient deployment of broadband networks all around the world, while minimizing cost and mitigating risk for our customers.” 

Following a challenging growth phase, the agreement will help Digital Infrastructure and BeFibre in their efforts to meet the constantly growing demand for high speed internet in the UK, in line with the government’s plans to future proof the country’s broadband access. 

Paul Doyle, CEO at Digital Infrastructure and BeFibre said: “As we continue to scale at pace, our partnership with Wesco Anixter will enable us to strategically expand our full fibre rollout with their end-to-end supply chain expertise as well being able to offer us the right product at the right time.”

BeFibre is now selling broadband in more than 30 of the country’s towns and cities. Utilising BT’s existing physical infrastructure access (PIA) network, Digital Infrastructure is well on its way to rolling out to a fully designed base of 400,000 premises, with over 100,000 now ready for connection.

With access to an initial £100m of private investment from Basalt Infrastructure Partners, the build areas are anticipated to double by the end of 2023.