Openreach adds another 67 locations to its future-proof broadband build plan

Openreach has announced a further 67 locations in its programme to build full fibre broadband across the country.

The new tranche of work will take two years, starting in March 2021 in locations stretching from Alloway, in Ayshire, to Helsby, in Cheshire, and Ivybridge, in South Devon.

More than 560 towns, cities, boroughs and villages have now been included in the company’s Fibre First programme, a £12 billion project to build full fibre technology to 20 million premises throughout the UK by the mid-to-late 2020s.

Clive Selley, chief executive of Openreach, said: “Despite the challenges of the pandemic we’re continuing to make great strides towards our goal to build ultra-fast, ultra-reliable broadband to 20 million homes and businesses.

“This new digital platform can help the UK’s economy bounce back quicker from the Covid-19 crisis and, whilst a full recovery is likely to be measured in years rather than months, there’s strong evidence that full fibre broadband could help to turbo-charge that process.

“For homes, shops, GP surgeries and schools across the country it will mean fewer broadband faults, faster connections, and a consistent reliable network that will serve them for decades to come.”