Housing firm Persimmon is boosting soaring profits by giving buyers no option but to sign up to its broadband service. Families moving on to new estates built by the developer found the only internet network they can choose is FibreNest - which is owned by Persimmon. in the last year, the internet provider's customer numbers have more than doubled from 6,000 to 14,000.
Critics say the move is a ploy to reap 'ongoing revenue' from buyers - and MPs said Persimmon had created its own monopoly by forcing residents to use their broadband.
Bill Esterson, Labour MP for Sefton Central, said: 'This is predatory behaviour.'
Persimmon, which made a pre-tax profit of £784million in 2020, says it provides the network to ensure homeowners do not have to wait for another firm to connect. Persimmon said it will support other providers who wish to use its cables. Firms like Openreach, BT's cable arm, could legally install their own fibre on Persimmon estates. But a spokesman said it was 'unable to make the business case work'.
Daily Mail
