36 01732 759725 INTERNET Britain’s relationship with the internet has evolved — from floppy disks and dial-up tones to TikTok and AI. The Boomers vs Zoomers study reveals that 31% of Brits used floppy disks to first gain access to the internet, while a third of 18-year-olds have no idea what a floppy disk is. Four in ten say YouTube or Facebook were their first online obsessions; almost one quarter remember clothes as their first online purchase. When asked what they miss most about the early days of the internet, Brits cited ‘simplicity’, in contrast to today’s always-on, endlessly scrolling digital world. Whatever one’s views of the internet, there’s no doubt about its importance to how we now live: one third of people say they couldn’t live without it, citing entertainment (60%), reconnecting with friends (54%) and learning or upskilling (35%) as reasons why. “We’ve been there since the very beginning of the UK internet, which has come from nowhere to become a critical part of our lives,” said Tang. “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.” In Zen’s research, one third of those questioned said robots would take over household chores within 30 years and driverless cars would be commonplace – innovations Tang thinks will arrive much sooner: “I’d say both within the next 15 years. And what all these advances will rely on is strong, secure and reliable connectivity — exactly what Zen was built to provide,” he said. https://story.zen.co.uk UK’s digital economy. From its Rochdale base, the company has proved that innovation and resilience can thrive outside London, helping to put Greater Manchester on the map as a hub for connectivity and digital services. Tang believes his decision to base Zen in Rochdale, rather than London where most ISPs clustered, helped the fledgling company stand out. “It gave us space to grow,” he said. “We wanted to do things differently, and being outside the London bubble was part of that.” Over the last 30 years, Zen has evolved alongside constant technological change and the internet itself – transitioning from dial-up to broadband and fibre services – while staying true to its independent roots. Reflecting on the company’s journey, and looking ahead, Tang said: “When I started Zen, I could never have imagined how transformational the Internet would become. The fact that we’re still here 30 years later – thriving, independent and making a positive impact – is beyond my wildest dreams.” He added: “Zen remains proudly independent. I’ve seen so many of my peers sell up, but that’s never been my goal. Zen exists to do right by people and the planet. Money is just the fuel to make that happen.” That ethos underpins Zen’s B Corp certification, achieved in 2020, which recognises the company’s social and environmental responsibility. From carbon reduction initiatives to employee empowerment, Zen continues to lead by example in how a tech company can balance profit with purpose. 30 years online To mark its 30th anniversary, Zen commissioned research exploring how Zen Internet, a B Corp certified business, has marked its 30th anniversary with a celebration at its Rochdale headquarters, honouring three decades of innovation, growth and doing business ‘the right way’. The company, now the UK’s longeststanding independent Internet Service Provider (ISP), officially opened its doors for business on 13 October 1995, following its incorporation the previous month by founders Richard Tang and his brother Daniel. The two brothers started Zen with just £5,000, a few Linux PCs and six dial-up modems perched on an Ikea shelf. Since then it’s grown into one of the UK’s leading independent ISPs, employing more than 650 people and serving businesses and consumers nationwide. “It’s testament to our longevity that we are the UK’s oldest ISP,” said CEO Richard Tang. “All our main competitors when we started have long since disappeared – yet we’re still here, stronger than ever and still independent.” Early days Zen’s story began in the summer of 1995 when Richard Tang, then a software engineer, first heard about the Internet. Over a pint in a local pub, he asked his brother Dan if he fancied setting up an Internet provider – and Zen was born. By October of that year, the pair had launched their first £10-a-month dial-up service. Created at Richard Tang’s kitchen table, this could support six simultaneous users sharing just 64 kbps of bandwidth. In 1998, Zen turned its first profit and by the early 2000s it was riding the broadband wave, doubling turnover year-on-year and expanding rapidly across the UK. Zen’s story is not just about technology but also about the North West’s role in the Pioneering Internet Service Provider celebrates its first 30 years Zen Internet passes new milestone Richard Tang Zen milestones 1995 Zen Internet is founded in Rochdale by Richard and Daniel Tang 1996 Zen launches its first internet dialup service with capacity for just six simultaneous users 2005 Zen expands into broadband services as the internet revolution takes off 2011 Zen moves into new purpose-built headquarters at Sandbrook Park in Rochdale 2020s Zen rolls out fullfibre broadband across the UK, supporting homes and businesses with gigabit connectivity 2025 Zen celebrates 30 years as the UK’s longest-standing independent ISP
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