Firms set for major connectivity boost as Openreach ups rollout of ultrafast full fibre across Scotland

Firms in Scotland are among those set for a connectivity boost when Openreach engineers extend its ultrafast full fibre network this year.

The connectivity specialist, which says it builds and maintains the UK's largest broadband network, is expanding its hi-tech offering that is up to ten times faster than the average home broadband connection in urban areas like Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Stirling and Glasgow and rural parts of regions including Fife, East Lothian, Highland, Aberdeenshire and Dumfries and Galloway during 2023.

It adds that it has invested around £240 million in its new network across Scotland so far, where more than 800,000 homes and businesses are now able to connect to what it says is some of the fastest, most reliable broadband in Europe. Openreach also says it is working with the Scottish and UK Governments to bring the technology to the hardest-to-reach properties, through funded programmes like Reaching 100% and voucher schemes launched by both administrations.

Additionally, the firm cites research from the Centre for Economics & Business Research shows that connecting everyone in Scotland to full fibre broadband would create a £4.5 billion boost to the economy and support thousands of people to return to the workforce.

'We’re connecting parts of the nation other networks don’t reach, bringing an economic boost and backing rural communities,' says Openreach. Picture: contributed.

Katie Milligan, Openreach chief commercial officer and chair of its Scotland board, said: “Full fibre is the best way to provide ultrafast, ultra-reliable internet to millions of Scots. Around a third of the 800,000 homes and businesses now reached by our new Scottish fibre network are rural. We’re connecting parts of the nation other networks don’t reach, bringing an economic boost and backing rural communities. Our superfast broadband is already available to most people in Scotland, but ultrafast full fibre is the future.”

Scottish Business Minister Ivan McKee said: “The progress of Openreach’s full fibre rollout is welcome. This is a vital part of our national infrastructure, helping people to work remotely and helping support a greener society. Our Digital Strategy for Scotland sets out the importance of digital connectivity to homes and businesses across the country. This welcome investment from Openreach, who are a signatory of Scotland’s Full Fibre Charter, supports our commitment to ensure that everyone in Scotland can access at least a superfast broadband connection.”