Who’s winning the Full Fibre broadband race in County Durham - and who’s not?

Full Fibre broadband is now available to 320,000 homes and businesses across County Durham, but the gap between the areas switching on and those being left behind is widening.

Some communities have been upgrading their broadband service by the thousands, while others are lagging well behind - raising concerns about a growing digital divide.

Openreach has rolled out gigabit-capable broadband to around 72 per cent of properties in the region, yet thousands of people still haven’t upgraded.

In Hurworth-on-Tees and Croft-on-Tees, take-up is the highest in the region, with around 68 per cent of those with access already benefiting from faster speeds and more reliable connections.

But communities in Stockton-on-Tees and Ferryhill are falling behind - with far fewer residents making the switch, despite the network already being in place.

Openreach is warning that a digital divide is opening up across County Durham. With everyday tasks – from banking to homework – now relying on strong broadband, households that stick with older technology risk being left with slower speeds and less reliable connections.

People can see if they can upgrade to full fibre by visiting Openreach’s full fibre checker.

Kasam Hussain, Openreach’s Partnership Director for the North and Midlands, said: “We’ve rolled out Full Fibre to most of County Durham, but many people still haven’t made the switch. It’s not automatic - you need to place an order with your chosen provider. Checking your postcode only takes a moment, and it could unlock a much faster, more reliable broadband service.

“Openreach is committed to building the best Full Fibre network, and doing it sustainably. Through our ‘Let’s Reach Zero’ strategy, we’re working to cut emissions, reduce waste, use fewer materials and protect nature wherever we build.”

Openreach’s full fibre network now reaches more than 23 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.