Ultrafast broadband rolled out to thousands

PLYMOUTH Sutton and Devonport MP Luke Pollard visited the telephone exchange last week to mark the fact that more than 60,000 homes and businesses in the city now have access to ultrafast full-fibre broadband.

- ANDY PHILLIPS

Mr Pollard was hosted by Openreach which has been independent from BT since 2018 who are undertaking a £15 billion commercial investment project to upgrade the UK's broadband infrastructure.

The huge project aims to make gigabit-capable technology available to 25 million homes and businesses by the end of 2026, including 6.2 million in rural and coastal areas.

This once-in-a-generation upgrade to Full Fibre sees a fibreoptic cable run direct from the exchange into a home or business, and Openreach says it offers the fastest and most reliable broadband anywhere in the UK.

The Labour MP visited Plymouth's telephone exchange where he connected dozens of live customers using the fibreoptic technology which is transforming the city's digital capability.

More than 60,000 homes and businesses in the Plymouth area can already order some of the fastest, most reliable broadband in Europe after an investment of more than £30 million by Openreach.

Openreach say thousands more properties across the city will soon be able to upgrade to ultrafast broadband in areas like St Budeaux, Plymstock, Crownhill, Plympton and Devonport.