FullFibre Ltd Drop UK ISP Zybre from Network as Provider Faces Strike-Off UPDATE2

Customers of broadband ISP ZYBRE (Air Broadband) are facing more uncertainty after one of their remaining network partners, FullFibre Limited, informed related users that they’d taken the “difficult decision to no longer work” with the provider. On top of that, ZYBRE has also received a “First Gazette notice for compulsory strike-off“.

At this point, it’s probably fair to say that the situation around ZYBRE is still as confusing as it is ugly for the ISP’s customers (summary of events). Since March, the provider has found itself in dispute with several of its network partners, such as CityFibre, OFNL and LilaConnect (VX FIBER), which has caused a great deal of uncertainty and some users have opted to leave. We asked Zybre for an update last week, but received no reply.

Since then, the situation appears to have deteriorated, again. At the start of this month, some of Zybre’s remaining customers informed us that their records at Companies House had been updated to report that the provider has now received a “First Gazette notice for compulsory strike-off” (here).

Such legally binding official notices tend to indicate that a company is at risk of being struck off from the official register of companies. Such notices can be raised for various issues, such as non-payment of tax, failing to inform Companies House of a change in address or a failure to publish company accounts etc. (Zybre’s accounts have been overdue since earlier in 2023).

If a company is struck off the register, it will typically cease to exist as a legal entity, cannot trade and its assets (e.g. property or bank accounts) will be forfeited to the Crown. Not to mention the reputational damage this outcome incurs.

Companies House Statement

The Registrar of Companies gives notice that, unless cause is shown to the contrary, the Company will be struck off the register and dissolved not less than 2 months from [9th May 2023].

Upon the Company’s dissolution, all property and rights vested in, or held in trust for, the Company are deemed to be bona vacatia, and will belong to the Crown.

However, this is only the first step towards compulsory strike-off, which means that Zybre may still be able to rescue the situation (sometimes this may simply require a company to publish their accounts). But this hasn’t been the only recent development.

Customers on Zybre who take their FTTP broadband network from FullFibre Limited (Fibre Heroes), which is deploying across 35 UK towns, have just been told that they’ll need to switch provider by 6th June 2023. But don’t worry, as they won’t cut you off if you haven’t managed to switch by this date.

Customer Letter from FullFibre Ltd

Dear XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX,

As a valued customer on our FullFibre network, I am writing to you about an update to your broadband services.

Following careful consideration, we’ve made the difficult decision to no longer work with ZYBRE, your current internet services provider. It is extremely important to us that, as a customer on our network, you are provided with an excellent service at all times, and this decision is a reflection of this.

What does this mean for you?

Up until the 5th June you’ll continue to receive your internet connection and additional services from ZYBRE as normal. We recommend you start looking at the many alternative suppliers on our website during this time to find the best broadband provider for you needs.

However, from the 6th June we will be turning ZYBRE’s internet connection off and transferring your internet connection to our system. This will ensure you can continue to access and use the internet as you do today should you not find a suitable alternative during this first 30 day period.

Keeping you connected

We know this news will come out of the blue for you. To give you plenty of time to find an alternative internet service provider (ISP) and maintain your internet access, we will provide you with 60 days of FREE internet connection from 6th June.

What do I need to do?

You will need to find an alternative ISP provider on our network.

FullFibre’s ISP partners now include BeFibre, FACTCO, Gigabit Networks, iDNET, Link Broadband, Merula, OctaPlus, Redline, Squirrel and Worcester I.T Services. Meanwhile, there’s been no word of progress from Zybre on the possible sale of broadband customers to Home Telecom (TalkTalk), which was originally dangled at the end of March.

UPDATE 9th May 2023

We’ve had an official statement from FullFibre Limited, but it doesn’t add much to what has already been stated above.

A Spokesperson for FullFibre Ltd said:

“FullFibre is no longer working with ZYBRE, however, we continue to work with our other ISP partners to connect homes and businesses to ultrafast broadband across the UK. We wish ZYBRE the very best for the future.

Whilst this in no way affects the majority of customers on our network using many of our other ISP partners, who can expect to experience services as normal, we are working to ensure a seamless transition for those it does affect, and to this end we are offering all ZYBRE customers our full support to find a new service provider. This support includes 60 days of free internet whilst they consider their options.

It is extremely important to us that those homes and businesses connected on our network are provided with an excellent service, and we routinely make decisions on a daily basis that reinforce this practice. This latest decision is a reflection of this.”

UPDATE 10th May 2023

Zybre has issued a new email to customers on the CityFibre side of their network, which informs of a new agreement that will see them migrated to rival ISP OCTAPLUS (here).