Leicester hits Full Fibre broadband milestone

Thousands of people in Leicester could be missing out on better broadband services, Openreach has warned.  

More than 85,000 homes and businesses in the city can already upgrade to Full Fibre, but so far less than one in five have made the switch.

Openreach has invested £25m in the new Full Fibre network for Leicester, reaching around 55 per cent of properties.

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.

Kasam Hussain, Openreach’s regional director for Leicestershire, said: “Fast and reliable full fibre broadband gives households and businesses a significant boost. As the UK’s leading provider of fibre infrastructure, Openreach is at the forefront of the digital transformation, connecting communities all over the UK and future-proofing the network for decades to come.

“Our extensive network - the largest in the UK – means residents can shop around and find the best deals that suit their needs. But it’s important to remember that upgrades don’t happen automatically. People need to order it to take advantage of the technology."

Thousands of flats and apartments in the city are also at risk of being left behind due to the need for wayleaves from landlords and property owners. Without these agreements, Openreach engineers can maintain the existing copper networks but cannot upgrade them to Full Fibre.

To avoid this digital divide, Openreach is urging landlords and property managers across Leicester to act swiftly.

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 18 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.