- Home
- ISP Directory
- Grain Connect
Carlisle-based network laying its own full fibre in English towns, cities and new-build estates, replacing ageing copper lines.
About Grain Connect
Grain is building its own independent full fibre network from the ground up, run from its headquarters in Carlisle. It began as a joint venture between Solway Communications and Pinnacle Group after the success of Crindledyke, and the first new-build development to go live on its network was Countesswells in Aberdeen.
At first it connected only new-build homes, working with developers to fit fibre before people moved in. It later gained £10 million of investment from Albion Capital and moved into existing homes in towns and cities across England. It also sells broadband for business parks, high street firms and landlords.
Grain's site promises no in-contract price rises and says its connections give equally high upload and download speeds. Grain Connect Limited was incorporated in 2016.
Checked 2 November 2026 against Companies House, grainconnect.com and TrustpilotWhat Grain Connect customers say
Trustpilot's score on the day we read it, next to the averages across this directory.
Read from Trustpilot on 2 November 2026. Averages are across providers in this directory with a Trustpilot profile. See Grain Connect on Trustpilot
Grain Connect at a glance
- Type
- Altnet, for homes and businesses
- Status
- Active
- Technology
- Full fibre
- Network
- Its own full fibre network
- Where it sells
- Across England, plus Aberdeen
- Headquarters
- Carlisle
- Ownership
- Equitix
- Company
- GRAIN CONNECT LIMITED, 10285348, active, incorporated 19 July 2016
- Complaints scheme
- Communications Ombudsman
- One Touch Switch
- Yes (Ofcom-mandated compliance)
- Trade body
- ISPA UK member
Looking for broadband?
Enter your postcode to see live deals from the 30+ providers in our comparison that serve your street, cheapest first.
Grain Connect questions
Who owns Grain Connect?
Grain Connect is part of Equitix.
What network does Grain Connect use?
Grain Connect sells broadband over its own full fibre network. Whether it reaches your home depends on your address, and our postcode check shows what you can get.
Where is Grain Connect available?
Grain Connect sells broadband in Across England, plus Aberdeen. Coverage changes street by street, so check your postcode for the deals available at your address.
What is Grain Connect's Trustpilot score?
Grain Connect scored 4.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot from 7,015 reviews when we read it on 2 November 2026. Scores change daily, so the live figure may differ slightly.
Can I switch to Grain Connect without calling my current provider?
Yes. Grain Connect takes part in One Touch Switch, so it arranges the move and your old service stops when the new one starts.
How do I complain about Grain Connect?
Complain to Grain Connect first. If it is not sorted within eight weeks, or you get a deadlock letter, you can take it free to the Communications Ombudsman, the independent complaints scheme Grain Connect belongs to.
Other altnets
In our comparisontoob
AltnetPortsmouth-run full fibre network with symmetric speeds, now controlled by its lender Ares after a 2026 debt restructuring.
In our comparisonTrooli
AltnetKent-based full fibre network reaching about 480,000 premises, with symmetric speeds and a 5Gbps home package launched in 2026.
In our comparisonHey!Broadband
AltnetFull fibre home broadband brand owned by F & W Networks, with symmetric plans on 30-day, 12-month or 24-month terms.
Highland Broadband
AltnetHighland Broadband is the brand Lothian Broadband uses in the Highlands, run by the same Edinburgh-registered company.