Revealed: the perfect colour cuppa, according to broadband engineers – as new study also shows a THIRD help on home visits
Through first-of-its-kind research, Openreach is showcasing the stories, backgrounds and opinions of their people keeping the UK connected.
Openreach today launches ‘With Every Fibre’, research that provides new insights into the life of a modern-day broadband engineer.
Over 2,500 Openreach workers took part in this unique survey, which revealed that being an engineer in 2024 is about more than just turning up to install broadband or fix cables.
From helping with household chores to rescuing cats, Openreach’s workforce has shared the most memorable and unexpected events that happen while on the job.
The report also revealed the tastes of engineers when it comes to refreshments offered on house visits, a staple of UK hospitality:
● Chocolate digestives were crowned the nation's favourite biscuit – even in Scotland, known for its native shortbread
● Although chocolate digestives took the biscuit, the country was divided, with the East of the UK showing a preference for original digestives over the chocolate variety
● The latte reigned supreme as the UK’s favourite variety of coffee, while the perfect colour of English Breakfast Tea was also settled
Openreach engineers remain a lifeline for the UK as we rely on broadband more than ever – both at home and at work.
As well as building a new, Full Fibre network, they maintain the existing network supporting phone, broadband, TV and data services for millions of UK households and businesses.
Yet the report shows building connections that matter is not just about installing and keeping the nation’s most vital services running. It’s also the soft skills of being an engineer – knowing how to reassure people, give them advice and be supportive during stressful situations – that are more important than ever.
Other insights from the survey include:
● Engineers often lend a helping hand outside of the day job, such as helping to rescue a pet (11%) and even helping out in medical emergencies (21%)
● 33% of engineers have helped around the house, 22% have helped a customer in extreme weather, while others have collected a customer a prescription (7%)
● Most common things discussed on the job, aside from broadband, are sports (43%), holidays (35%) and the family pet (35%)
● The most peculiar pets seen in a customer’s house include giant slugs, skunks, micro pigs and piranhas. Meanwhile, the strangest locations engineers have been called to include nuclear bunkers, catacombs and even the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral
● 30% of those that work at Openreach have another family member who works or has worked for the company
● The best types of customers are the "chatty and friendly" ones and, of course, "those that offer you tea and biscuits.”
Matt Hemmings, Managing Director of Fibre and Network Delivery at Openreach, said:
“Openreach is thousands of people from all walks of life who are the driving force behind the UK's largest broadband network.
“Each month, our field engineers make more than 500,000 visits to homes and businesses, giving them a unique window into life in the UK.
“This report shows that no two days are the same. While they’re out there tackling complex engineering problems they’re also making customers happy, in more ways than just getting them online, which we simply love.
“Our mission is to build a business that truly reflects the communities we serve, which is why we’re open to everyone. We know that when people can be themselves, they’re more confident, innovative, and able to perform at their best.”
Openreach is committed to building a workforce of people from all walks of life, with a wide range of backgrounds, skills and experiences. To meet some of our amazing people visit openreach.co.uk/people.
