The £15 billion commercial investment by Openreach aims to upgrade the UK’s telecommunications network, and Barnet is among the first regions to benefit from this ambitious project
Barnet is set to become one of the most digitally connected boroughs in Europe following a significant investment in broadband infrastructure. The initiative, spearheaded by Openreach, will see faster and more reliable broadband installed across the borough, benefiting thousands of households and businesses.
The £15 billion commercial investment by Openreach aims to upgrade the UK’s telecommunications network, and Barnet is among the first regions to benefit from this ambitious project. The roll-out will cover approximately 8,000 households managed by Barnet Homes, the council’s social housing provider, as well as many other residential areas within the borough.
Barry Rawlings, Leader of Barnet Council, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “We are committed to improving digital access for our residents. Our partnership with Openreach is enabling us to connect our social housing to full fibre and ultrafast internet speeds. This upgrade will allow our residents to use the latest technology to meet their work, study, and leisure needs, as well as accessing many essential online services.”
The installation of the Full Fibre broadband upgrade is a collaborative effort between Openreach, Barnet Homes, and Barnet Council. Elaine Hope, Openreach’s Partnership Director for London, highlighted the importance of this partnership, saying, “We’re thrilled to be working with Barnet Council on this significant broadband upgrade. Working together is a crucial step in ensuring that residents across the borough have access to some of the best broadband available anywhere in the UK. The support from the council has been instrumental in making this happen.”
The upgrade will enable thousands of local residents and businesses to connect multiple devices at gigabit-capable speeds. This will not only enhance their ability to work and study from home but also provide a significant boost to local businesses, allowing them to trade online and compete more effectively in the digital marketplace.
We are committed to improving our residents’ digital access. Our partnership with Openreach enables us to connect our social housing to full fibre and ultrafast internet speeds. This upgrade will allow our residents to use the latest technology to meet their work, study, and leisure needs and access many essential online services.
Barry Rawlings, Leader of Barnet Council
Openreach engineers are already on the ground, working diligently to install the new infrastructure. The project aims to minimise disruption by utilising existing ducts and poles wherever possible. However, in some areas, new poles or underground ducts may need to be installed to ensure as many premises as possible are included in the upgrade. Elaine Hope emphasised the importance of residents and businesses taking proactive steps to benefit from the upgrade. “Switching to Full Fibre is easy and may even be cheaper than your existing broadband package,” she said. “But it’s important to remember that upgrades don’t happen automatically. People need to contact, and place orders through, their broadband service provider to take advantage.”
The upgrade will enable thousands of residents and businesses to connect multiple devices at gigabit-capable speeds
Openreach’s new ultrafast Full Fibre network in London now reaches 1.6 million homes and businesses, with over £500 million already invested and construction continuing across the capital. The roll-out in Barnet is part of this broader initiative, which aims to provide high-speed internet access to as many households and businesses as possible. While the project plans are ambitious and well-defined, Openreach acknowledges that building a new broadband network across the UK is a complex and challenging task. Unforeseen obstacles may arise, leading to changes in the roll-out schedule. However, the commitment to delivering a state-of-the-art broadband network remains unwavering.
The residents and businesses of Barnet are eagerly awaiting the completion of this project, which promises to transform their digital connectivity and open up new opportunities in work, education, and leisure. With the support of Barnet Council and the expertise of Openreach, Barnet is poised to become a leading example of digital innovation in the UK.
