Why Zen and Sky’s Ethernet Deal Boosts UK Connectivity
Two major players in UK connectivity, Zen Internet and Sky Business Wholesale, have announced a strategic partnership that will extend access to Sky’s Ethernet-enabled exchange footprint for Zen’s partners and direct business customers.
The agreement enhances coverage, choice and competitiveness in the business connectivity market.
Expanding Ethernet reach across the UK
The collaboration spans more than 2,800 exchanges, with more than 80% already enabled for 10 Gb services. For Zen, it represents a significant step forward in its ambition to deliver high-performance, scalable solutions to businesses of all sizes.
David Barber, Strategy Director at Zen Internet, explained: “Sky’s network reach is a strong strategic fit for Zen. This partnership expands choice and flexibility for our channel and UK businesses we serve directly, enabling us and the channel to compete more effectively on price, coverage and service.
"It is another significant step in bringing genuine infrastructure competition to the UK market.”
Strengthening Zen’s Fibre Hub and channel offering
Zen has been actively broadening its partner and business customer proposition. Fibre Hub provides access to a full fibre (FTTP) footprint of nearly 20 million premises through Openreach, CityFibre, ITS and Freedom Fibre, with Trooli services to follow.
Integrating Sky Business Wholesale’s Ethernet-enabled footprint complements the portfolio, building on existing offerings such as Ethernet over FTTP and business-grade connectivity from CityFibre and ITS. For Zen’s channel partners, the move enhances commercial flexibility while extending competitive reach across the UK.
A shared focus on innovation and service
Both Zen and Sky Business Wholesale emphasise innovation, automation and customer service as central to their strategies. Aligning API and automation capabilities is expected to accelerate quoting, ordering and service delivery, delivering efficiencies for partners and customers alike.
Damian Saunders, Managing Director at Sky Business Wholesale, highlighted the long-term vision:
“We’re excited to partner with Zen, a business that shares our focus on innovation and customer choice.
"This is just the beginning of a broader collaboration that will bring real value and better outcomes for the channel and business customers alike.”
Zen’s market position and B Corp credentials
Zen Internet is the UK’s largest B Corporation-certified telecommunications and connectivity provider. Its commitment to balancing profit with people and the planet supports a broader strategy of sustainable growth.
The organisation is carbon neutral and targeting net zero by 2040, while maintaining its reputation for award-winning service.
Sky’s business-grade commitments
Sky Business Wholesale, part of Comcast-owned Sky, brings the strength of one of Europe’s leading media and technology companies.
Its business-to-business division supports enterprises of all sizes with next-generation connectivity, backed by a focus on continual investment and business-grade service commitments.
Guided by its three promises, namely innovation, customer support and investment, Sky Business provides a robust foundation for the new collaboration, ensuring businesses gain reliable and scalable solutions that match their evolving connectivity needs.
Building a platform for long-term growth
The Zen–Sky partnership reflects the increasing importance of collaboration in a highly competitive connectivity market. By combining extensive infrastructure reach with a shared focus on innovation, both organisations are positioning themselves to deliver greater value to partners and end customers.
David concludes: “As we continue to build relationships with more key network providers, we’re on track to offer the widest geographic reach and the best commercial advantage for the channel and direct business customers.”
