Openreach is set to roll out its full fibre broadband to more than 11,000 homes and businesses in Staffordshire.
Under a new phase of government’s Project Gigabit programme, the new fibre network will be built in the next couple of years, connecting rural parts of Staffordshire to gigabit-capable broadband speeds.
This includes groups of homes and businesses in Pattingham and Acton Trussell (South Staffordshire), Colton and Elford (Lichfield), Swynnerton in Stafford, and Baldwins Gate and Whitmore (Newcastle-under-Lyme).
Openreach, which has more than 3,000 engineers working in the region, has been chosen to build the new network. The work complements a £16.5 million Project Gigabit contract awarded to Connect Fibre last year, which is already providing Project Gigabit services in North East Staffordshire and its set to benefit up to 5,900 hard-to-reach premises. The first customer connections on the North East Staffordshire project should be deployed by the end of 2024.
Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for environment, infrastructure and climate change, Simon Tagg said, “Access to gigabit capable broadband speeds is essential to our communities and businesses and so it’s excellent to see this reach extended by Openreach through Project Gigabit.
“Faster broadband improves everyone’s day-to-day living, enabling people to access health, education, banking and leisure services and more. It is also critical for business operations, growth and increased productivity.
“Our Superfast Staffordshire programme was a huge success and made a real difference over the last decade - now gigabit capable connection is the next step.”
Staffordshire County Council’s Gigafast Staffordshire programme is already enabling 82 per cent of county homes and businesses access gigabit speeds, and this latest phase will ensure more residents can unlock the potential of ultrafast connectivity.
Openreach’s own full fibre build has reached more than 250,000 homes and businesses across Staffordshire and 1.5 million in the wider West Midlands region.
Kasam Hussain, Openreach’s regional partnership director, said, “We’re pleased to be bringing this important connectivity in Staffordshire, not only delivering faster speeds but also ensuring that homes and businesses across the region can enjoy seamless, reliable and uninterrupted connectivity, even during peak times.
“This infrastructure will play a crucial role in supporting future growth, innovation, and improving the quality of life for everyone for generations to come.”
Telecoms Minister, Chris Bryant, said, “People living and working in rural areas across Staffordshire have suffered from outdated broadband connections for too long. This major deal under Project Gigabit will deliver lightning-fast, ultra-reliable internet to hard-to-reach areas across the county.
“The rollout will be a game changer for local communities – making it easier to stay in touch, log on at work or school, and support our mission to kickstart economic growth and maximise opportunities across UK.”