Openreach engineers start work on ultrafast broadband network for Dingwall
Openreach engineers are starting work on a major new ultrafast broadband network for Dingwall, “giving residents and businesses access to some of the fastest, most reliable broadband anywhere in Europe”.
Described as a once-in-a-generation, full fibre broadband upgrade, it aims to let thousands of local people connect multiple devices at gigabit-capable speeds “and help businesses trade online and compete for decades to come”.
Across the Highland region, around 28,000 properties can now connect to Openreach’s full fibre network, with more than 50 per cent already moving to the ultrafast technology.
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Fibre technology provides more reliable, resilient and future-proof connectivity, with fewer faults; more predictable, consistent speeds; and enough capacity to easily meet growing data demands.
It boosts every online experience, from seamless streaming and gaming for households to smooth video calls, banking and customer interactions for businesses, with much less buffering or slowdown at busy times.
Robert Thorburn, Openreach Partnership Director for Scotland, said: “We’ve got a lot of work either under way or planned for the Highlands, building on the millions of pounds of investment already made, and demand is strong across the region.
“We’re looking to upgrade as many homes and businesses as possible while our teams are working locally, so we want to let local people know what to expect. Residents will be seeing more engineers, technicians, equipment and vans.
“We work hard to build safely and limit disruption, with loads of support from the Highland Council. Wherever we can, we use our existing network of ducts and poles to avoid roadworks, digging and disturbance.
“But there may be places where we have to put in new poles or underground ducts and cables if it’s the only way to include some people in the upgrade.”
He added: “Full fibre is the UK's most reliable broadband technology, so when it arrives in communities, it opens up massive digital opportunities. Research shows that connecting everyone in Scotland would bring a multi-billion pound productivity boost too.”
Openreach’s new ultrafast full fibre network now passes more than 1.2 million Scottish properties. The company plans to build to 25 million UK homes and businesses by the end of 2026, with an ambition to reach up to 30 million by the end of the decade.
Openreach build partners Circet and Morrow Group are helping to deliver the Highland roll-out.
Local people can visit openreach.co.uk/ultrafastfullfibre to find out more about the benefits of full fibre, register for updates and, as the build progresses, check their addresses to see when services are available from their chosen provider.
How Openreach describes itself and its role
“We’re the people that make the net work.
“Our wholesale broadband network – the UK’s largest – supports more than 700 service providers like BT, SKY, TalkTalk, Vodafone and Zen to provide broadband, TV, phone, data and mobile services to their customers.
“Any company can access our network through equal pricing, terms and conditions, and our 37,000 people help deliver services to every community in the UK.
“Right now, we’re investing £15bn to build a new ultrafast, ultra-reliable Full Fibre broadband network to 25 million homes and businesses by the end of 2026. We’ve already reached more than 14 million premises and we’re passing thousands more every week. We’ve created 10,000 new jobs and we’re retraining thousands of our existing engineers to help build, connect and maintain the new network.
“Our new network will help Openreach and its customers to dramatically cut emissions, with research suggesting nationwide Full Fibre broadband could save 300 million commuter trips every year. We’re also transitioning our van fleet to zero emissions by 2031.
“We’re a wholly owned and independent subsidiary of the BT Group and for the year up to the end of March 2024, we reported revenues of £6.077bn.”
