Andrew Stephenson MP gets up to speed with ultrafast build
Openreach has started work to build a new ultrafast broadband network for Pendle – giving residents and businesses access to some of the fastest, most reliable broadband anywhere in Europe.
The once-in-a-generation, Full Fibre broadband upgrade will let thousands of local people and businesses connect multiple devices at gigabit-capable speeds and help businesses to trade online and compete for decades to come.
MP for Pendle, Andrew Stephenson, met with Openreach's chief engineers in Nelson to witness first-hand the innovative engineering techniques used to deliver ultrafast, ultra-reliable full fibre broadband across his constituency.
He was given a tour of the work and an update on the build, which has already reached more than 25,000 homes and businesses across Pendle.
He said: “It was good catching up with Openreach and hearing more about their work connecting local homes to ultrafast broadband. There is a huge amount of work underway.
“Getting to talk to the local team of engineers about the challenges they face was eye-opening, and I was grateful for the chance to thank them in person for their work delivering better connections to 25,000 homes and businesses across Pendle.
“We also discussed those harder to connect parts of Pendle, and how Openreach is investing in new technology that allows them to deliver to harder to reach places.”
Full Fibre broadband provides more reliable, resilient and future-proof connectivity; with fewer faults; more predictable, consistent speeds and enough capacity to easily meet growing data demands.
Residents will be able to enjoy a host of online services and entertainment such as seamless streaming, and smooth online gaming experiences. While businesses can operate with certainty that their broadband will support all the day-to-day, business critical tasks such as video calls, banking and customer interaction via social media platforms.
Local people can visit openreach.co.uk/ultrafastfullfibre to register for updates and, as the build progresses, check their addresses to see when services are available from their chosen provider.
The visit to Nelson was hosted by Waqas Nasim, Openreach’s local build manager, who said: “We welcomed the opportunity to give a step-by-step demonstration of our technology, as well as an update on the build. Our local teams work hard every day to keep communities across Lancashire connected, and it was great to be able to share the challenges and realities of delivering this life changing infrastructure.”
“This is a major infrastructure upgrade, so local people will see more engineering teams, equipment and vans around town, and we're working hard to keep disruption to a minimum.
“Wherever possible, we’ll use our existing network of ducts and poles to avoid roadworks, new street furniture and disturbance. But there may be places where we need to install new poles, underground ducts and fibre cables because it’s the only way to make sure households get included in the upgrade.
“We’re using the latest technology, like tiny underground cameras that inspect ducts for blockages and help us avoid digging up the streets wherever possible.”
Openreach’s new ultrafast Full Fibre network in Lancashire now reaches around 300,000 properties including thousands of residents and business in Barnoldswick, Earby and Nelson, who already have access to the new technology. Investment is also planned in Colne.
Openreach plans to roll out the new technology to 25 million UK homes and businesses by the end of 2026. You can find out more about the benefits of an upgrade to Full Fibre broadband here.
