Paul Britnell and Sam Bangle had spent years watching the telecoms sector endure the same problems: inconsistent supply chains, substandard goods, lengthy delivery times, and communication gaps that slowed everything down. For a sector built on connectivity, it often felt anything but connected. From Paul and Sam’s motivation and belief that the industry deserved better, Altnets was born.
Paul had been touring Europe as full-fibre networks expanded; meanwhile, the very same momentum was brewing in the UK. Sam, coming from London with a background in tech and a passion to create something significant, was ready for a new challenge. Between them, they created Altnets with no major investment or complex infrastructure – simply a desire to do things differently and the belief that customers needed partners, not just suppliers.
It wasn’t a glamorous first order. There were no pallets, no storage spaces, no logistics personnel. It was simply Sam and Paul, a rental van, and a trip to London to hand-deliver products themselves. It was basic, but it set the tone: reliable service, personal commitment, zero excuses.
As word got out, more ISPs contacted us, drawn to our simplicity, clarity, and honesty. As the business’s orders increased, it became clear that it required a workforce that was as committed to doing things correctly. Product experts, sales managers, operations experts, enthusiastic, inquisitive individuals. The Altnets culture, which is vibrant, encouraging, and aspirational, really began to take shape in 2022.
Our first office in the fantastic shared workspace, Plus X Innovation, had been outgrown by 2023. The business needed a home that matched who it was becoming, and Sam and Paul found it at Brighton Marina. Our headquarters has evolved into the heart of Altnets, rather than just an office. A place where people work together, laugh, share ideas, and solve problems. Many a client has been welcomed through the doors and enjoyed the vibrant Marina setting. The Altnets team continued to grow swiftly, fuelled by the same values that have driven the organisation from day one.
By the end of 2024, we were a team of 20, serving over 100 clients and working with Europe’s leading manufacturers. We went beyond supplying products by anticipating project needs, expertly advising procurement teams, resolving challenges before they arose, managing the complexities of the global supply chain, and supporting ISPs as they scaled. The Altnets culture was highlighted nationally when The Sunday Times placed it among the UK’s Best Places to Work, an achievement that mirrored exactly who we are: a business built on people.
Altnets in 2025
Today, we’ve grown far beyond our early days with a van and a vision, continually refining our approach along the way.
Altnets is a leading digital infrastructure specialist shaping the UK and Ireland’s connectivity landscape, trusted by organisations from independent ISPs to major data centre operators. As our footprint and capabilities have grown exponentially, our mission has remained unwavering: to simplify the complex, deliver with integrity, and manage every customer’s project as if it were our own.
Quality is non-negotiable. Every product, manufacturer, and supplier is carefully selected, thoroughly tested for performance, and closely monitored to ensure reliability. But what truly differentiates Altnets is the way it operates. We listen. We advise. We troubleshoot. We step in when projects are at risk, and we stay active even when difficulties hit. Our service relies on partnership, openness and long-term thinking as networks don’t expand via products alone, but through solid, trusting relationships.
2025 was a year of significant growth for Altnets, with a strengthened leadership team guiding the company into its next chapter. Olly has stepped into the role of MD, while Steve, a respected figure in the industry, provides strategic guidance. Andy and Maia lead commercial strategy and partnerships – together bringing the passion and expertise that drive the business forward.
What’s Next
The next chapter is even brighter.
Altnets is focused on broadening its footprint in the data centre sector, one of the fastest-growing industries in the global economy. While continuing to invest in our Brighton base and local talent, we are expanding further into new markets and sectors, bringing the ethos and delivery approach that define us to a wider market.
But one thing will never shift: the belief that doing things the right way matters.
From the very first van delivery to the expansion plans in motion today, Altnets has developed through trust, honesty, ambition, and a desire to make life easier for those they serve.
And even now, years on, it still feels like we’re only just getting started.
If you’re looking for a supplier with expertise, integrity and heart, our door is open. Let’s talk about your next move.