Openreach’s substantial investment of over £22 million has transformed Swindon’s digital landscape, enabling more than 75,000 homes and businesses in the area to access some of the fastest and most reliable broadband services in Europe. Despite this massive leap in technology, a significant number of residents have yet to seize the opportunity to upgrade their connectivity.
The newly deployed ultrafast and ultra-reliable Full Fibre network by Openreach offers speeds up to 16 times faster than the average UK broadband connection, with a reliability that surpasses the outdated copper-based network it replaces. Martin Williams, Openreach’s partnership director for the West, emphasized the transformative impact of this network on businesses and individuals, providing future-proof connectivity for enhanced productivity.
Williams encouraged residents to place orders with their preferred broadband providers to leverage the benefits of the new network fully. The Openreach network boasts a diverse range of providers, including BT, Sky, TalkTalk, Vodafone, and Zen, offering residents ample choice and the opportunity to secure competitive deals.
Highlighting the economic impact, a report by the Centre for Economics & Business Research (Cebr) revealed that connecting the entire south-west region to Full Fibre broadband could inject a staggering £4.3 billion into the local economy. This infusion of funds would stem from smarter working practices, improved public services, and increased opportunities for emerging local businesses. The report further suggested that enhanced connectivity could reintegrate 42,000 individuals into the workforce, fostering entrepreneurship and supporting small businesses.
Residents who make the switch to Full Fibre broadband stand to benefit from seamless streaming, enhanced online gaming experiences, and robust support for essential day-to-day tasks such as video calls, online banking, and customer interactions. As the digital landscape in Swindon undergoes this remarkable transformation, Openreach urges residents to explore the possibilities of Full Fibre connectivity and secure a future-ready broadband experience.
