15
November
2022
|
11:00
Europe/Amsterdam

Openreach ultrafast broadband reaches first Greenock homes

Openreach’s new ultrafast broadband network in Greenock has now passed its first 2,000 properties  – giving residents, businesses and school pupils access to some of the fastest, most reliable broadband anywhere in the UK.

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.

Among the first places passed by the new broadband network are St Patrick’s and Whinhill primary schools and Notre Dame High School. Engineers are continuing work in the town centre this month, expanding into the Bow Farm, Gateside, Drumfrochar, Barr’s Cottage and Cowdenknowes areas before Christmas. The gigabit build will reach the majority of local homes and businesses over the next 12-18 months.

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. 

Local people can visit the Openreach website for updates and, as the build progresses, check their addresses to see when services are available from their chosen provider.

Martin Hagan, Chief Engineer for the Greenock build, said: “We’ve made a good start on bringing ultrafast broadband to Greenock and we want to let local people know what to expect as work continues.

“This is a major infrastructure upgrade, so there will be more engineering teams, equipment and vans around town, and we're working closely with Inverclyde Council 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 some households get included in the upgrade.

“We’re using the latest technology, like tiny underground cameras that inspect ducts for blockages, to help us avoid digging up the streets wherever possible.” 

He added: “We hope local people will agree that any short term disruption will be worth it in the long run. Connecting  everyone to our fastest and most reliable broadband will provide Greenock with all the bandwidth it needs for the future and bring a welcome economic boost to the town.”  

Councillor Michael McCormick, Inverclyde Council’s convener of environment and regeneration, said: “The internet is now an everyday part of our lives so it’s vitally important for households, businesses and our schools to have access to fast, reliable connections.

“It’s great that over 2,000 properties now have access to ultra-fast fibre broadband thanks to this rollout by Openreach. This investment will be of huge benefit now and in the future for residents and businesses.

“With such a huge infrastructure project like this there has been, and there will continue to be, some associated disruption but we will support Openreach as best we can to ensure work is carried out as smoothly and quickly as possible to minimise the impact.”

Openreach plans to roll out the new technology to 25 million homes by the end of 2026, including the majority of homes in Gourock, Kilmacolm and Wemyss Bay.

Openreach build partner Morrison Telecom Services (MTS) is helping to deliver the Greenock upgrade.  Michael McGlinchey, senior project manager, said: “Our teams are getting lots of interest in what they’re doing – there’s definitely lots of local demand for faster, more reliable broadband.  

“We’re working really hard to make sure there’s as little disturbance as  possible, although we have come across a few blocked ducts caused by water erosion and silt. We thank local people for bearing with us as we deliver their new, ultrafast broadband network.”

You can find out more about the benefits of an upgrade to Full Fibre broadband here

Picture: Fibre specialists use tiny underground cameras to check ducts for blockages.