In a significant stride towards advancing digital connectivity, Openreach, in collaboration with the Scottish Government’s £600 million Reaching 100% programme, has brought enhanced broadband speeds to around 5,000 households and businesses in Dumfries and Galloway. The initiative, a part of the R100 rollout, has already made full fibre technology accessible to approximately 40,000 of Scotland’s most challenging-to-connect properties.
Recent developments include the availability of full fibre connections in locations such as Auchencairn, Crossmichael, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbright, and Ringford, with ongoing work in progress. Openreach engineers, alongside their build partners, are actively engaged on the ground, with Borgue, Twynholm, Bridge of Dee, and Newton Stewart slated for the next wave of ultra-fast and reliable connection upgrades.
Full fibre broadband, a substantial improvement over the Scottish Government’s initial commitment to providing superfast services to areas with speeds below 30 Megabits per second (Mbps), is now more than 30 times faster. Residents can ascertain the availability of full fibre at their address and receive updates on the rollout’s progress by registering at www.openreach.co.uk/ultrafastfullfibre. Registrations assist Openreach in gauging demand and planning the most efficient deployment in each community.
Scottish Government Innovation Minister Richard Lochhead underscored the significance of full fibre upgrades for homes and businesses in locations like Castle Douglas and Bridge of Dee. He emphasized the R100 programme’s role in establishing future-proof digital infrastructure, fostering economic growth, and elevating the prospects of communities across Scotland.
Full fibre broadband not only delivers more reliable and resilient connections but also future-proofs against evolving data demands across multiple devices. Its benefits extend to diverse online activities at home, including data-intensive streaming of movies, sports, TV, and online gaming. For businesses, ultra-reliable connections enhance productivity, efficiency, and security, supporting fundamental tasks such as video calls, cloud applications, online banking, and customer interactions.
Robert Thorburn, Openreach Partnership Director for Scotland, highlighted the R100 programme’s commitment to bringing fast, reliable broadband to the most challenging locations in Scotland. Acknowledging the complexity of the build, Thorburn emphasized the collaborative efforts with Dumfries and Galloway Council and build partners to minimize disruption to residents. The ambitious undertaking may involve installing new poles, ducts, and cables to reach certain households, underscoring the importance of local awareness regarding the ongoing infrastructure improvements.
