81 new UK locations for Openreach G.fast footprint

Share this on social media:

Openreach is extending its G.fast broadband footprint to a further 81 locations across the UK.

The G.fast network was first announced by the company in 2015 (see BT puts G.fast at heart of its broadband strategy). It is designed to build on existing infrastructure, changing the way broadband signals are transmitted from existing street cabinets to boost speeds up to 330Mb/s, without digging up roads to install new cabling. The company says that the technology is also more reliable thanks to its use of special software that can detect and manage service-affecting issues as soon as they occur.

Openreach believes that the technology could also provide enough additional capacity to support future data demand, driven by services and applications, such as virtual reality gaming and smart homes. Amongst the 81 new locations are London, Leicester, Manchester, Worthing, Stoke, Birmingham, and Blackpool. The next phase of the build programme will take place over the next nine months, adding to more than 250 locations where the technology has already been deployed.

Kim Mears, MD for strategic infrastructure development at Openreach commented: ‘Currently, the UK is a world leader in digital infrastructure and services, but as the digital revolution rushes forwards and the demand for data continues to grow, we need to sure we stay ahead of the curve. That’s why we’re investing in faster, more reliable network infrastructure to facilitate all the activities we want to do now, and also those we haven’t even dreamt of doing in ten years’ time.’

The incumbent plans to reach a total of 5.7 million properties using Gfast, and also wants to extend its FTTP rollout to 10 million premises by the mid-2020s if the conditions are right to invest.

Installing fibre into MDUs can prove challenging for operators (image credit: nutalina/Shutterstock.com)

18 May 2023

Image credit: metamorworks/Shutterstock.com

01 December 2022

Image credit: ArtemisDiana/Shutterstock.com

11 August 2022

Recent News

08 June 2023

The provider owns an international fibre network encompassing more than 132,000km across approximately 865+ points-of-presence (PoPs).

08 June 2023

The programme is designed to advance access to high-speed internet as a fundamental right in collaboration with private, public, non-profit sectors to benefit underserved communities in rural regions of India

05 June 2023

The company says that it will continue to trade and be available for customers through the administration process.

02 June 2023

The $73m investment in fibre optic cable manufacture is designed to help connect American communities and create 170 manufacturing jobs.