Virgin Media O2 explores takeover of Trooli fibre
FEBRUARY 21, 2023 11.15 EUROPE/LONDON BY JULIAN CLOVER

Trooli, one of a growing number of alternative providers of fibre broadband is the subject of a potential bid by Virgin Media O2.

The Liberty Global-Telefónica company has reportedly bid £100 million for the start-up, one of a number of groups to have expressed an interest in the start-up, according to Sky News.

The UK broadband market is dominated by BT and its Openreach division. Virgin Media is also a serious contender, but the emergence of smaller fibre providers, including CityFibre, has the potential to erode the subscriber base of the established players.

However, the smaller players are now struggling to meet their rollout targets as a result of supply chain and labour shortages. Trooli has focussed on delivering fibre to largely rural postcodes in Southern England including Berkshire, Dorset and Kent.

Virgin has not commented on the move.