Ultrafast broadband coming to Tillicoultry
Openreach is building a new ultrafast broadband network for Tillicoultry – giving residents and businesses access to some of the fastest, most reliable broadband anywhere in Europe.
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.
Engineers started work in Tillicoultry earlier this year and the build is expected to reach the majority of local homes and businesses over the next 12-18 months.
Openreach’s Full Fibre network is currently available to more than 17,000 premises in Clackmannanshire – almost 65 per cent of the region.
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.
Robert Thorburn, Openreach Partnership Director for Scotland, said: “We’re delivering ultrafast broadband to Tillicoultry and we want to let local people know what we’re doing.
“This is a major infrastructure upgrade, so there are more engineering teams, equipment and vans around town, and we're working hard to keep disruption to a minimum.
“Wherever possible, we’re 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.
“We’re seeing plenty of demand locally but there’s still loads of capacity for more people to upgrade, so check with your broadband provider to see if you can get Full Fibre.”
He added: “Tillicoultry is part of our balanced build across Scotland, which includes more than 200 rural towns and villages. We want to make sure that progress is evenly spread and that people in all parts of Scotland can be online effortlessly and build opportunities in their community. Connecting everyone in Scotland to our fastest and most reliable broadband would result in a multi-billion pound economic boost.”
Councillor Ellen Forson, leader of Clackmannanshire Council, said: “I am delighted to see this important work continuing in Tillicoultry. Access to ultrafast broadband is fast becoming a necessity for both residents and businesses right across our county.
“I am looking forward to seeing the programme of works completed so our residents and businesses alike can benefit from the advantages this will bring.”
Openreach’s new ultrafast Full Fibre network in Scotland now reaches more than 950,000 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 Circet is helping to deliver the investment in Tillicoultry.
Alan O’Prey, Circet UK CEO, said: “It’s great to be working with Openreach to bring better broadband to people and businesses in Tillicoultry. Our teams are getting lots of interest in what they’re doing – there’s lots of local demand for faster, more reliable broadband. We’re working hard to make sure there’s as little disturbance as possible, and we’d like to thank the community for their patience and support while we deliver their new ultrafast broadband network.’’
