Macquarie Capital, the corporate advisory, capital markets and principal investment arm of Macquarie Group (Macquarie), is to invest in rural superfast broadband business Voneus Limited (Voneus), with an initial commitment of GBP 10 million (US$ 12.15 million) and the potential to invest up to GBP 30 million (US$ 36 million) in phases. Proceeds will be used to refinance debt and support the roll-out of further high-speed broadband to communities in rural parts of the UK.  

Only five percent of UK homes have access to full-fiber infrastructure, Voneus will focus on the up to 900,000 homes across the UK countryside who still don’t have access to Superfast broadband services. 

Since its establishment in 2015, Voneus has installed superfast broadband in around 4,000 homes and businesses in 25 rural communities with a footprint that covers Lancashire and Yorkshire as well as the Cotswolds and Devon. The business has a robust pipeline of future projects which will be supported by ongoing investment from Macquarie Capital. 

The business uses Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) technology to quickly provide superfast broadband (30 to 50 Mbps) to rural homes and businesses. FWA provides an attractive alternative to the traditional copper networks that rural homes and businesses often have to rely on. The business specializes in non-intrusive technology which has been installed on churches, listed buildings, in natural beauty spots and conservation areas. 

FWA provides an immediate solution to poor broadband. However, Voneus now intends, with Macquarie Capital’s support, to connect its more established communities to full-fiber broadband, enabling rural homes and businesses to receive up to 1 GBs of reliable, consistent, ultrafast connectivity.