Ogi, Wales’s leading “altnet” for full fibre, has secured a £45m financing package from Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) and additional equity from its primary shareholder, Infracapital. This funding will support Ogi’s expansion across the ten local authority areas in CCR, where the company already has a strong presence.
Ogi’s high-capacity network, crucial for cloud computing, AI, and data storage, is set to boost the region’s appeal to data centre operators and other tech sectors. Since its launch in 2021, Ogi has brought full fibre connectivity to over 100,000 premises in South Wales, with 20% of those already on board as customers. The company’s community-focused approach, backed by significant local investments, has proven successful, with an estimated £5 economic impact for every £1 invested.
Ogi CEO Ben Allwright said: “Right from the start, our ambition has been to become a leading Welsh telecoms company, and the last few years have certainly laid strong foundations for that goal.
“With key strategic sites like Aberthaw to the south and the heads of the valleys to the north, there’s massive potential across the capital region – and partnering with CCR at such an exciting time in their own development is the next logical step for Ogi’s growth in southeast Wales.
“Together with further investment from our principal shareholder, Infracapital, this is yet another endorsement of our mission to make sure no Welsh community gets left behind.
”I’m immensely proud of the work the team at Ogi are doing across Wales, and this news – another leap forward in Ogi’s development – is testament to their commitment to making sure Wales keeps up to speed with the rest of the UK, and the world.”
Chair, Cardiff Capital Region, Councillor Mary Ann Brocklesby, added: “Ogi has taken regeneration to a new level with its initial investment – connecting communities to new possibilities right across the Cardiff Capital Region and beyond. Our investment into Ogi recognises that ongoing commitment to boosting the region, and the work already being done to bring vital connectivity to some of Wales’s biggest towns and villages”.
The ongoing expansion will also continue in areas outside CCR, such as Pembrokeshire, with Ogi committed to ensuring that no Welsh community is left behind. The transaction was advised by Deloitte, with legal counsel from CMS Law for Ogi and Infracapital.
