Blyth, UK – Openreach has made a significant investment of over £4.9 million to provide more than 16,500 homes and businesses in Blyth with access to high-speed and reliable broadband. This multi-million-pound project has introduced an ultrafast, ultra-reliable Full Fibre network to the majority of the Northumberland town.
The new technology offers speeds up to 16 times faster than the average UK broadband connection and boasts five times greater reliability compared to the outdated copper-based network it’s replacing. Remarkably, despite 38 percent of residents adopting the service where it’s available (a percentage far higher than the UK average of 26 percent), many more potential users have yet to benefit.
Councillor Richard Wearmouth, Deputy Leader of Northumberland County Council and Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services, expressed enthusiasm for the development. He highlighted the importance of strong connectivity in modern life, providing various benefits and opportunities for work and leisure alike. He encouraged those with access to fibre broadband to explore the available packages and leverage the fastest speeds.
Research conducted by the Centre for Economics & Business Research (Cebr) indicates that connecting all residents in the North East to Full Fibre broadband could inject a £1.7 billion boost into the local economy. This would enable smarter working methods, enhance public services, and create more opportunities for the next generation of local businesses.
Robert Thorburn, Openreach’s Partnership Director for Scotland and the North East, emphasized that this new network will empower businesses and provide families and remote workers with future-proof connectivity. Openreach’s commitment to the North East region is unwavering, aiming to deliver a high-quality service that supports communities, facilitates remote work, and fosters connections and opportunities.
