Openreach's Unprecedented Momentum: Transforming UK Connectivity at Unmatched Speed

Openreach, the forefront digital network provider in the UK, achieves a remarkable milestone by connecting around 60,000 new premises weekly—a feat equivalent to illuminating a town the size of Tunbridge Wells in Kent. With a committed investment of £15 billion, the company aims to link 25 million buildings by 2026, with an ambitious target of 30 million by 2030.

Already boasting over four million connected homes and businesses, Openreach's full-fiber service sees an influx of 30,000 new orders weekly. CEO Clive Selley labels the effort a "national infrastructure project" success, attributing it to a supportive policy environment fostering substantial investment and competition in the UK's telecoms sector.

The technological leap, accessible to 12.5 million premises, surpasses the pace in Europe, with plans to reach the next 12.5 million in record time. Selley envisions a substantial 30 million premises connected by the decade's end, unlocking significant economic and social benefits for commerce, healthcare, and public services.

The Centre for Economics and Business Research predicts a potential £72 billion boost to the UK economy by 2030 through a 'full-fiber transformation.' Openreach's expansion extends to connect rural areas, potentially introducing 431,000 new workers by 2026.

Despite Ofcom reporting over half of UK homes with full-fiber broadband coverage, concerns arise over a slowdown in fiber growth in early 2023. Openreach's success, however, remains a beacon in the evolving digital landscape, showcasing a transformative journey amid escalating connectivity demands.