Ultrafast broadband coming to Dorking and Great Bookham
Openreach has started work to build new ultrafast broadband networks for Dorking and the Great Bookham area – giving residents and businesses access to some of the fastest, most reliable broadband anywhere in Europe.
The once-in-a-generation, Full Fibre broadband upgrades will let thousands of local people connect multiple devices at gigabit-capable speeds and help businesses trade online and compete for decades to come.
Engineers have started work in the area and the builds are expected to reach the majority of local homes and businesses in the next year.
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 can enjoy a host of online services and entertainment, with seamless streaming and smooth online gaming. The technology also supports day-to-day, business critical tasks like video calls, banking and online customer interactions.
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.
Kieran Wines, Openreach Partnership Director, said: “We’re bringing ultrafast broadband to Dorking and the Great Bookham area and letting local people know what to expect.
“This is a major infrastructure upgrade, so there will be 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.”
He added: “Dorking and Great Bookham are part of our balanced build across the South East. We want to make sure that progress is evenly spread and that people in all parts of the region can be online effortlessly and build opportunities in their community. Connecting everyone in the South East to our fastest and most reliable broadband would result in a multi-billion pound economic boost.”
Openreach’s new ultrafast Full Fibre network in the South East now reaches more than one million properties, and the company plans to roll out the new technology to 25 million homes and businesses by the end of 2026.
Openreach build partner Morrison Telecom Services is helping to deliver the investment.
John Jauncey, Director at Morrison Telecom Services, said: “Our teams are looking forward to working with Openreach on their full fibre rollout. This project will bring much needed improvements to broadband speeds for residents and businesses throughout Dorking and the Great Bookham area. We're committed to minimising disruption during the installation process, working closely with the local authority and local communities, and we appreciate your patience as we deliver the area’s new ultrafast fibre network with Openreach.”
You can find out more about the benefits of an upgrade to Full Fibre broadband on the Openreach website.
