Openreach has been building a new Full Fibre broadband network for Merseyside
Openreach has been building a new Full Fibre broadband network for Merseyside(Image: PA Wire/PA Images)
Thousands of people across Merseyside are being warned that they are “missing out” on broadband services. Openreach has been building a new Full Fibre broadband network for Merseyside, meaning residents can access faster, more reliable broadband.
More than 600,000 homes and businesses in the region can now upgrade to Full Fibre. Thousands of people (40%) are yet to upgrade to the service and are missing out on the enhanced features.
Upgrades are not automatic, so people have to check with their service provider to see if they can switch. Openreach has invested around £177m in the new Full Fibre network for Merseyside, reaching 81 per cent of properties.
Robert Thorburn, Openreach Partnership Director for the North, said: “Fast and reliable full fibre broadband gives households and businesses a significant boost.
“As the UK’s leading provider of fibre infrastructure, Openreach is at the forefront of the digital transformation, connecting communities all over the UK and future-proofing the network for decades to come.
“Our extensive network – the largest in the UK – means residents can shop around and find the best deals that suit their needs. But it’s important to remember that upgrades don’t happen automatically. People need to order it to take advantage of the technology.”
Openreach’s full fibre network now reaches more than 18m properties, and the company plans to extend this to 25 million homes and businesses by the end of 2026, with a belief it can reach as many as 30 million by the end of the decade.
Full Fibre technology offers a faster, more reliable connection that keeps up with the demands of today’s digital world. People living in Merseyside can see if they can upgrade to full fibre by visiting Openreach’s full fibre checker.
Previously, Openreach was owned by BT. This explains why it was, and still is, known to many as ‘BT Openreach’. However, since 2017 it runs as a separate company, although one that’s still a subsidiary of BT group.
According to the company: “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 switching our own 29,000 diesel vans to electric by 2030.”
More than 660 service providers use the BT Openreach network. This includes many well-known ISPs, including: