Openreach has hit a significant milestone in its fibre broadband rollout across Scotland, with its network now reaching 50% of Scottish homes and businesses. The company’s £435 million investment has allowed 1.45 million properties to access ultrafast broadband, with 38% of eligible homes and businesses already connected—surpassing the UK average for fibre take-up.
Expanding Fibre Connectivity in Scotland
The rollout of full fibre connections is not limited to urban areas. Approximately 30% of the new fibre coverage is focused on rural regions, with particularly challenging locations like Tiree, Iona, and Mull now benefiting from the upgraded service. Around 100,000 of the most difficult-to-reach properties have been connected through partnerships with the Scottish Government and other public sector bodies.
The reach of Openreach’s fibre network is extensive. It now covers over 64,000 Scottish business premises, 1,500 educational institutions, 900 healthcare facilities, including hospitals, GP surgeries, and dental practices, as well as 590 care homes, 1,400 community hubs like church and village halls, and 160 emergency services buildings.
Economic Impact and Future Projections
According to research from the Centre for Economics and Business Research, Openreach’s fibre rollout could bring a £4.38 billion boost to Scotland’s economy by 2029. Openreach has highlighted how fast, reliable connectivity is a key driver of economic growth, enabling the redistribution of business activity and supporting rural economies.
Katie Milligan, Openreach’s Chief Commercial Officer and Chair of its Scotland Board, emphasized the transformative potential of this project. “This is one of the most significant infrastructure upgrades Scotland will see this century,” she said. “We’re paving the way for future job creation, remote work, digital learning, and innovative healthcare access.”
Government Support and the Reaching 100% Programme
The Scottish Government is committed to further improving broadband coverage, especially in rural and island areas. Minister for Business Richard Lochhead remarked, “In today’s world, fast, reliable broadband isn’t just a convenience – it’s a necessity for many individuals and businesses.” The government’s Reaching 100% programme has already invested more than £600 million to extend broadband access, partnering with Openreach to ensure that even the most remote areas benefit from these improvements.
The Future of Copper-Based Services
Openreach has also announced that it will stop selling copper-based phone and broadband services at 163 exchanges across the UK, affecting more than 960,000 premises. This “stop sell” policy is triggered when fibre services are available to 75% of the properties connected to a particular exchange. Retail ISPs have been given a year to migrate customers to fibre or offer equivalent services, marking another step in the transition away from traditional broadband technologies.
