A significant digital divide is emerging in Northumberland, where 41 percent of homes and businesses have embraced the benefits of Ultrafast Full Fibre broadband. However, in the market town of Alnwick, just one in ten households and businesses have opted for this superior broadband service, leaving thousands with slower, less reliable connectivity.
Openreach, the UK’s leading digital network provider, has invested £1.2 million in Alnwick to construct a new network capable of delivering ultrafast speeds of up to one gigabit per second (Gbps). Despite this significant investment, the adoption rate remains relatively low in Alnwick, prompting efforts to raise awareness about the advantages of faster, more dependable broadband services.
The latest data reveals that Openreach’s Full Fibre network, utilized by a variety of service providers including BT, Sky, TalkTalk, Vodafone, and Zen, is now accessible to over 4,000 premises in the town. This network not only offers remarkable speed but also enhances reliability, resilience, and future-proofing, resulting in fewer faults, consistent speeds, and the capacity to support multiple devices concurrently.
Cllr Richard Wearmouth, deputy leader of Northumberland County Council and portfolio holder for corporate services, highlighted the critical role of good connectivity in modern life. He encouraged residents to explore the broadband packages available in their area and fully leverage the fastest speeds. Additionally, the council provides valuable resources to assist individuals with online activities and digital skills.
In nearby Berwick, Openreach engineers have been diligently working to provide access to the new technology for more than 2,000 households and businesses. The company has also unveiled plans to extend its coverage to nine other neighboring communities, including Alnmouth, Amble, Longframlington, Lynemouth, Red Row, Rothbury, Seahouses, Shilbottle, and Ulgham.
Robert Thorburn, Openreach’s regional manager for Scotland and the North East, emphasized the transformative impact of fast and reliable Full Fibre broadband on daily life. Beyond enhancing individual experiences, it plays a pivotal role in bolstering the local economy, contributing to both households and businesses in the region. The accessibility of this broadband service opens up new opportunities and possibilities, underlining the importance of bridging the digital divide in Alnwick and beyond.
