Hundreds of Motherwell flats risk missing out on Full Fibre

Hundreds of flats in Motherwell could miss out on faster, more reliable broadband without urgent action, Openreach has warned.

While more than 15,000 homes and businesses throughout the town are already able to access Full Fibre broadband through Openreach, people living in flats are at risk of being left behind.

Current legislation in Scotland states that Openreach must obtain permission from property owners in a building in order to extend its Full Fibre network into communal areas – meaning no flats can switch until owners have agreed.

In some cases, an absentee or unresponsive landlord could leave an entire building without the latest broadband technology.

Openreach is urging residents to check their address at openreach.com. If their building isn’t included, they should register their interest on the website and speak to their landlord or housing association to request their help to make  Full Fibre available from Openreach.

Full fibre technology offers a faster, more reliable broadband connection. The once-in-a-generation technology enables locals to connect multiple devices at gigabit-capable speeds and will help businesses trade online and compete for decades to come.

Robert Thorburn, Openreach Partnership Director for Scotland, said: “While more than 15,000 Motherwell homes and businesses are benefitting from our massive investment in transformational broadband technology, hundreds of flats are at risk of missing out.

“We don’t want anyone in Motherwell left behind. Full Fibre is a game-changer for how we live and work – and with just a bit of help from landlords and residents, we can make sure everyone benefits.”

Full Fibre technology offers a faster, more reliable connection that keeps up with the demands of today’s digital world.  

Whether streaming your favourite show, gaming online, making a video call, managing your finances, or running a business, full fibre keeps everything running smoothly.  

Packages from the widest range of broadband providers are also increasingly competitively priced, meaning people may pay similar, or even less, per month than their current bill for a much-improved service. 

Openreach’s full fibre network now reaches more than 20 million properties, and the company plans to extend this to 25 million homes and businesses by the end of 2026, with a belief it can reach as many as 30 million by the end of the decade – with the right investment conditions.