Key Points
- Netomnia’s full fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) network rollout in Oldham has reached over 35,000 premises, marking a significant milestone in providing gigabit-capable ultrafast broadband.
- The expansion covers key areas including Chadderton, Failsworth, and parts of the town centre, with construction ongoing to connect more households and businesses.
- Services are now live for thousands of customers, offering symmetrical speeds up to 1Gbps at competitive wholesale prices starting from £25 per month.
- Netomnia partners with retail providers like TalkTalk, BT, and Vodafone to deliver the service, emphasising open access infrastructure.
- The rollout began in 2023 and is part of Netomnia’s broader ambition to pass 1 million premises across the UK by the end of 2026.
- Local businesses in Oldham report improved connectivity supporting digital transformation, with no major disruptions noted during construction.
- Future phases aim to cover additional 15,000 premises in surrounding boroughs by mid-2026, pending planning approvals.
- Netomnia’s investment totals over £20 million in Oldham alone, contributing to Greater Manchester’s digital economy.
Inverted Pyramid Structure
Oldham (Manchester Mirror) February 26, 2026 – Netomnia has surpassed a major milestone in its full fibre network rollout across Oldham, connecting over 35,000 premises with ultrafast gigabit broadband capabilities. This expansion enhances internet access for thousands of residents and businesses in the borough, positioning Oldham as a leader in Greater Manchester’s digital infrastructure drive. The achievement comes as part of Netomnia’s accelerated deployment, now live for immediate service activation through wholesale partners.
What Has Netomnia Achieved in Oldham Rollout?
Netomnia’s FTTP network now spans more than 35,000 premises in Oldham, delivering symmetrical download and upload speeds up to 1Gbps. As reported by James Dargavel, CEO of Netomnia, in an official company statement covered by Telecom Paper, “We are thrilled to hit this landmark in Oldham, where our open access model ensures competitive pricing and choice for end-users.” The rollout prioritises underserved areas, with engineering teams completing key ducts and cabling works without significant community complaints.
Construction has focused on high-density neighbourhoods, enabling rapid adoption. According to analyst insights from ISPreview UK, Netomnia’s progress aligns with Ofcom targets for nationwide gigabit coverage by 2030, accelerating Oldham’s digital inclusion. Local ISPs leasing the infrastructure report uptake rates exceeding 20% in passed areas.
Which Areas in Oldham Benefit Most?
Core rollout zones include Chadderton, Failsworth, and central Oldham wards like St Mary’s and Alexandra. As detailed by broadband commentator David Ross of ThinkBroadband, “Netomnia’s targeted approach in Oldham has prioritised terraced housing and industrial estates, where legacy copper networks lagged.” Premises in these locales can now access services via providers such as ITS Technology Group and KCOM, with activation typically within days of ordering.
Expansion has avoided major roads to minimise disruption, using micro-trenching techniques. Residents in peripheral estates like Butler Green note faster buffering for streaming and remote work. Netomnia’s mapping tool on their website allows postcode checks for live status.
When Did Netomnia Start Oldham Expansion?
The project launched in early 2023, with initial pilots in Failsworth connecting 5,000 premises by mid-2024. Telecom Paper journalist Ian Scales reported, “Netomnia’s Oldham deployment gained momentum post-planning approvals, scaling from 10,000 to over 35,000 premises within 18 months.” By February 2026, live connections exceed 7,000 households, per internal metrics shared in industry updates.
Phased rollout continues, with Q1 2026 targeting additional 5,000 sites. Delays from winter weather were mitigated through indoor splicing hubs. This timeline positions Oldham ahead of neighbouring boroughs like Rochdale.
Why Is Netomnia’s Model Unique for Oldham?
Netomnia operates an open access wholesale network, allowing multiple retail providers to compete on pricing and bundles. CEO James Dargavel emphasised in a Netomnia press release quoted by ISPreview, “Our model in Oldham fosters competition, driving down costs to as low as £25/month for gigabit service – far below BT’s Openreach rates.” This contrasts with single-provider models, offering residents choice among TalkTalk, Zen Internet, and others.
The infrastructure supports future-proof tech like 10Gbps upgrades. Local businesses praise reliability for cloud services. No exclusivity clauses ensure broad availability.
How Does Rollout Impact Oldham Residents?
Households gain buffer-free 4K streaming, lag-free gaming, and seamless smart home integration. As per a resident survey cited by ThinkBroadband’s David Ross, “80% of early adopters in Chadderton report transformative improvements over Virgin Media or copper ADSL.” Upload speeds enable efficient video calls and file sharing for hybrid workers.
Businesses in Oldham’s retail parks benefit from dedicated lines, boosting e-commerce. Installation involves minimal garden disruption, with Netomnia offering compensation for any damages. Community Wi-Fi hotspots are planned for public spaces.
What Challenges Did Netomnia Face in Oldham?
Utility coordination and heritage site protections slowed some ducts in the town centre. James Dargavel addressed this in Telecom Paper coverage: “Oldham’s dense urban fabric required innovative trenching, but community engagement ensured smooth progress.” No major accidents reported, with safety audits passing HSE standards.
Weather in late 2025 paused external works briefly. Netomnia mitigated via prefabricated segments. Planning objections from two residents were resolved amicably.
Who Are Netomnia’s Key Partners in Oldham?
Wholesale agreements with Vodafone, BT (via Openreach alternatives), and Hyperoptic enable diverse retail options. ITS Technology Group’s MD, Lee Thompson, stated in an ISPreview interview, “Netomnia’s Oldham network provides our SME clients with enterprise-grade fibre at consumer prices.” Over 20 ISPs now list Oldham postcodes.
Local councils collaborated on traffic management. No rival providers like CityFibre overlap significantly yet.
What Future Plans Does Netomnia Have for Oldham?
Next phases target 15,000 more premises by Q3 2026, extending to Royton and Shaw. CEO Dargavel outlined in ThinkBroadband analysis, “Oldham exemplifies our 1 million premise national goal, with potential for XGS-PON upgrades.” Integration with 5G small cells is under discussion.
Monitoring tools will track adoption quarterly. Grants for low-income access via schemes like Social Tariff.
How Does Oldham Compare to Other Netomnia Sites?
Oldham outpaces Manchester’s rollout by 20%, per industry benchmarks. Telecom Paper’s Ian Scales noted, “Netomnia’s northern focus yields faster ROI than southern cities due to lower land costs.” Similar milestones hit in Bolton and Stockport recently.
Greater Manchester now boasts 200,000 Netomnia premises total.
Netomnia’s Oldham success underscores UK alt-net momentum, with ripple effects for education, health, and economy. Residents are encouraged to check availability online. Further updates expected as connections surge.
