Rats Gnaw Broadband Dreams, Rescue Bid Scuppered

A potential rescue for G.Network, a broadband provider with £300 million in debt, was abandoned because of concerns that its fiber-optic cables had been chewed by rats. The company had invested heavily in installing its own network across London, aiming to compete with established providers.

Community Fibre, another broadband company, had considered acquiring G.Network but ultimately withdrew its bid. This decision was largely influenced by the estimated high costs associated with repairing potential rodent damage to the network's infrastructure. This issue of rodent damage is not new, affecting other providers as well.

G.Network's chosen method of digging up roads to lay its cables, rather than utilizing existing underground ducts, made the prospect of extensive repairs incredibly costly. Such repairs would necessitate re-digging roads, incurring substantial expenses and public inconvenience.

Graeme Oxby, CEO of Community Fibre, confirmed their withdrawal, highlighting the 'structural issues' and 'expensive fix' related to rodent damage. Rats are attracted to broadband ducts for nesting and chew the cable materials for warmth and shelter, posing an ongoing challenge for expanding fiber networks.

Despite appointing administrators, G.Network's operations were intended to continue as normal, with assurances that customer services would not be adversely affected. However, the company's aggressive road-digging installation strategy had previously drawn complaints from London residents due to significant disruption.