Openreach Unveils Next Phase of Ultrafast Broadband Rollout

Openreach, the UK’s largest broadband infrastructure provider, has announced the next 12 areas set to benefit from its £15 billion full-fibre rollout. The company aims to bring ultrafast, reliable broadband to 25 million homes and businesses by December 2026.

12 New Locations Added to Rollout Plan

The newly announced locations span the length and breadth of the UK, from Alloa in Scotland to Ivybridge in Devon. Other areas include Basildon, Basingstoke, Llanelli, Neath Port Talbot, Peterborough, Stafford, Thetford, Tredegar, Weston-super-Mare, and Whitstable.

"We’re thrilled to be bringing our state-of-the-art network to even more communities," said Openreach CEO Clive Selley. "This rollout will transform the way people live and work, providing a much-needed boost to local economies."

Residents Eager for Ultrafast Speeds

For residents like Sarah Thompson, a graphic designer from Basingstoke, the announcement couldn’t come soon enough. "I’ve been struggling with slow speeds and dropouts for years," she said. "Reliable, ultrafast broadband will be a game-changer for my business."

In Llanelli, retiree David Jones is looking forward to making the most of his online hobbies. "I love streaming documentaries and video chatting with my grandkids," he said. "With full-fibre, I won’t have to worry about buffering or poor quality anymore."

Boosting Local Economies

The rollout is expected to create thousands of new jobs and provide a significant boost to local economies. In Peterborough alone, it’s estimated that full-fibre could add £88 million to the local economy over the next 15 years.

"This investment will help attract new businesses and support existing ones," said Peterborough Council Leader Wayne Fitzgerald. "It’s a huge vote of confidence in our city’s future."

Accelerating the Rollout

Openreach has already made significant progress on its full-fibre rollout, with 7.2 million homes and businesses now able to order the service. The company is ramping up its efforts, with plans to reach 4 million premises per year by the end of 2025.

"We’re building at a massive scale," said Selley. "Our engineers are working tirelessly to bring the benefits of full-fibre to as many people as possible, as quickly as possible."

Looking to the Future

As the rollout continues, Openreach is already looking ahead to the next phase of its plan. The company has pledged to extend full-fibre to even more rural and remote areas, ensuring that no community is left behind in the digital revolution.

With ultrafast speeds, rock-solid reliability, and limitless potential for innovation, Openreach’s full-fibre network promises to transform the UK’s digital landscape for generations to come.