UK’s Connect Fibre taps Netgem to add TV service to broadband offering

UK fibre-to-the-home network operator Connect Fibre has chosen Netgem to provide a TV offering for its full fibre broadband service.

Connect Fibre has chosen Netgem’s  TV-as-a-Service offering to deliver a TV element to complement its broadband service.

Netgem provides a mix of free and premium streaming and TV broadcast channels for ISPs to add an affordable TV service to their broadband packages.

Founded in 2019, Cambridgeshire-based Connect Fibre is in competition with other fibre ISPs using Openreach’s network as well as CityFibre and Virgin Media O2.

Connect Fibre is the fifth ISP to make use of the co-branded TV offering created by Netgem and implemented with Origin TV, Community Fibre TV, Gibtelecom TV and TalkTalk TV.

Netgem currently has over 15 ISP distribution partners in total for TV, including Octaplus, Inspire Telecom and WightFibre.

Connect Fibre will offer over 215 live channels including 100 channels in addition to Freeview, with around 40 channel dedicated to sport including MBL.TV, The Rugby Network and Pop kids

Netgem’s offering includes 100.000 hours of content with 25 Freeview Play catch-up such as ITVX and BBC iPlayer and access to a library of shows and movies from YouTube, TikTok, Filmzie and Wedomovies.

It also includes over 30 games which do not require additional equipment, and access to premium apps with Rakuten TV, BT Sport, Erosnow, Amazon Prime Video and others.

Other features include a dedicated mobile app, universal search, 4K HDR, bluetooth pairing and Alexa voice control.

Sylvain Thevenot, chief commercial and customer officer, Netgem Group, said: “We are pleased that Connect Fibre has decided to join the group of ISPs in the UK who are leveraging our TV service to maximise the connection volumes on their Fibre networks. This is not only great news for their Fibre customers in terms of value proposition with over 200 channels and thousands of hours of inclusive On-demand streaming content, but it also brings the Bundle proposition to the best level – to compete effectively with the Big 4 ISPs in the market.”

Deryck Shepherd, chief customer officer of Connect Fibre, said: “Connect Fibre’s mission is to bring flawless full fibre speeds to communities that need it. Leveraging Netgem’s revolutionary platform allows us to extend the range of fuss-free services we can provide. Viewers can enjoy a full range of interactive entertainment at a fair price, and households who require a landline can move seamlessly to a modern cost-effective service. We couldn’t be more excited about this partnership, and I’m really looking forward to working with Sylvain and his team.”