New economic research by Cebr shows Openreach’s digital upgrade could generate £4bn for Scottish economy by 2029 and help reverse depopulation, with half of Scottish residents now able to connect to broadband – thanks to £435m investment in the nation’s new network.
Thu, 23/01/2025 - 11:31
Openreach is continuing to roll out full fibre to rural areas, including villages in the Tyne Valley where 1,500 residents are now connected just months after joining the company’s Fibre Community Partnership (FCP) programme.
Last April, Openreach encouraged people living and working in Bardon Mill, Ovington, Riding Mill and Wark to apply for free Government broadband vouchers, which can be used to help secure faster broadband speeds and greater reliability, alongside building a customised, co-funded full fibre network.
Louise Thompson, Openreach’s Regional Engagement manager, said: “It usually takes around 12-18 months from a Fibre Community Partnership Programme being agreed to the first premises ‘going live’ but this has been turned round in less than nine months, which is a huge achievement.”
