Zen Internet marks 30 years as UK’s oldest independent ISP

Zen Internet has marked its 30th anniversary, underlining its status as the UK's longest-standing independent internet service provider. The Rochdale-based company has grown from a kitchen-table venture founded in 1995 into a national broadband provider employing more than 650 people.

Origins and growth

Zen Internet began in the mid-1990s, launched by brothers Richard and Daniel Tang. Starting with just £5,000, a handful of Linux PCs and six dial-up modems, the business offered its first dial-up service at £10 per month. The service could support six users and connected at 64 kbps, reflecting the modest internet infrastructure of the time.

The company made its first profit in 1998 and expanded rapidly during the early 2000s as broadband adoption increased across the country. Zen's continued focus on the North West, rather than joining other internet providers in London, helped to distinguish its approach and support growth outside the capital. Its headquarters remain in Rochdale, Greater Manchester.

Surviving industry change

Through repeated waves of technological change, Zen Internet transitioned from dial-up to broadband and later to fibre services. The company has maintained its independence in a sector characterised by consolidation and the loss of many early competitors.

"It's testament to our longevity that we are the UK's oldest ISP. All our main competitors when we started have long since disappeared - yet we're still here, stronger than ever, and still independent," said Richard Tang, Chief Executive Officer, Zen Internet.

The company now provides full-fibre broadband and supports gigabit connectivity for homes and businesses. It also employs more than 650 staff and serves customers nationwide.

Market research insights

To mark the anniversary, Zen commissioned research examining how the UK's relationship with the internet has changed. The study found that 31% of respondents remember floppy disks as their first means of internet access, although a third of 18-year-olds surveyed were unfamiliar with the format. Four in ten people cited YouTube or Facebook as their first online fascination, and around a quarter recalled buying clothing as their first online purchase.

Respondents highlighted the simplicity of the early internet era, in contrast to today's complex digital environment. The research underscored the essential role of the internet in modern life, with one in three people stating they could not live without it. Top motivations for internet use included entertainment, reconnecting with friends and family, and learning new skills.

Ethos and certification

Zen Internet became a B Corp certified business in 2020, aligning with its stated aim to balance social and environmental responsibility with commercial performance. The company reports ongoing efforts in carbon reduction and employee engagement.

"Zen exists to do right by people and the planet. Money is just the fuel to make that happen," said Tang.

Predictions and outlook

"What's clear is that while platforms change, the human drive for connection and creativity has remained the same. The next 30 years promise to be even more transformative," said Tang, Chief Executive Officer, Zen Internet.