Lightning Fibre exceeds 30% market share of Old Town Eastbourne

Eastbourne-based Broadband Provider Lightning Fibre hits new local milestone

Of 7,586 properties located in the Old Town area of Eastbourne, the Lightning Fibre network has reached 6,574 (87%) homes and businesses. 2,021 households and businesses have now switched; which equates to 31% of the connectable premises, or 27% of the total area. The area went live in August 2021 and was completed in January 2023.  Previous MP for Eastbourne, Caroline Ansell, unveiled the primary node cabinet back in Summer 2021. Caroline commented at the time, "It’s my great pleasure to support this local business; I have followed their progress from the early days of securing funding through to today, a great day for the firm and for Eastbourne. Not only is Lightning Fibre levelling up the area, for the digital age, but they are also creating local jobs and contributing to the local economy."

Lightning Fibre provides a full fibre connection to the Old Town Community Library (OTCL), which is free of charge during 2025 as part of the company's community engagement and support; Kate Daly, OTCL secretary commented, "We are delighted with the service both at home and at Old Town Community Library, rarely any issues and if there are any they are quickly resolved. The service is invaluable to the library customers, many of whom use the internet and laptops for job searches and homework."

The award-winning Old Town Community Library, Eastbourne, is a charity library entirely run and led by volunteers.  The library offers books, free internet, laptops, printing, a superb selection of adult fiction, a small non-fiction area, large print, audiobooks and a lovely children's area.

Lightning Fibre won the Best Consumer ISP award 2024 at the recent Internet Service Providers' Association Awards. Lightning Fibre "impressed judges with their customer satisfaction scores, and their progress in delivering the fastest residential broadband in the region. They are also working effectively in connecting new affordable housing projects by offering one year of free connection to 10% of residents, and making great progress on some new projects undertaken since last year."

Founded in 2018, with an HQ in Polegate, and a customer service team and retail unit based in Eastbourne, Lightning Fibre is the local network for Eastbourne. The company supports a range of local events and good causes, including Eastbourne Carnival and the Lightning Fibre Ice Rink.

Photo: Lightning Fibre's CTO Paul Thornton with the Old Town Primary Node Cabinet