In an exclusive interview, Katie Milligan, Chief Commercial Officer and Scotland Board Chair at Openreach, discusses the importance of fibre broadband for Scotland’s future. She outlines the challenges and opportunities ahead in 2025, stressing how fibre can drive a significant economic boost, despite competition from newer technologies like Starlink.
Full Fibre: A Key Driver for Scotland’s Digital Economy
“I make no secret of the fact fibre cables in the ground can be a tougher ‘sell’ than rockets and satellites,” says Katie Milligan, acknowledging that technologies like Starlink may capture more headlines. “But what fibre enables is 100 percent essential to the future success of a digitally driven Scottish economy.”
Openreach, a subsidiary of BT Group, has been a key player in Scotland’s digital infrastructure. The company is focused on expanding high-capacity broadband networks to homes and businesses across the country, with an eye on meeting the growing demand for data in the coming years.
Milligan points to a recent Cebr report, which predicts that connecting every household in Scotland to full fibre will contribute a £4 billion boost to the nation’s economy by 2029.
The Future of Broadband in Scotland
Looking ahead to 2025, Katie Milligan anticipates continued growth in digital data consumption, driven by increased reliance on high-speed internet for activities like streaming, gaming, and remote work. This increase in demand, she says, will propel the ongoing expansion of fibre broadband networks across Scotland.
“More people will migrate to the new high-capacity broadband network we’re building,” Milligan says. “This year, we’ve already connected hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses, and we’re working to reach even more as we continue our efforts in 2025.”
Fibre: A Reliable Option Amidst New Competition
While many eyes may turn skyward to emerging technologies like Starlink, Milligan stresses that fibre remains the most reliable, cost-effective, and accessible option for the majority of people. Unlike satellite-based broadband services, fibre broadband offers consistent performance and low latency, making it essential for critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and business.
“We welcome competition, whether from Starlink or other providers, as it keeps us sharp and focused,” Milligan adds. “Ultimately, the most reliable connection for most people will always be fibre.”
Openreach’s Investment in Scotland’s Future
Openreach’s plans for 2025 are ambitious. The company is bucking the trend of underinvestment in digital infrastructure by directly investing £15 billion into the UK’s broadband network. A significant portion of this investment will be directed towards Scotland, where Openreach has been focusing on closing connectivity gaps in rural and underserved areas.
“We aim to build at pace, filling in connectivity ‘not-spots’ and working hand in hand with government to ensure no one is left behind,” Milligan says.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, Openreach’s ongoing commitment to expanding fibre networks in Scotland will play a critical role in the nation’s ability to thrive in the digital economy.
