In a landmark move that could transform Britain's digital landscape, Openreach has revealed ambitious plans to upgrade millions of households to lightning-fast full fibre broadband without the need for engineer appointments.
The End of the Waiting Game
For countless Britons frustrated by the traditional broadband upgrade process - complete with lengthy waiting times and inconvenient engineer visits - this announcement marks a significant breakthrough. Openreach's innovative approach will see customers automatically switched to their new full fibre service, eliminating the familiar disruption of installation appointments.
How the Seamless Switch Works
The revolutionary process begins when Openreach's full fibre network becomes active in a local area. Rather than requiring homeowners to book appointments, the company will initiate what they term an "automatic upgrade" for existing customers.
Residents will receive advance notification of their impending upgrade, followed by a straightforward self-installation kit delivered to their doorstep. This package contains everything needed to activate the new service, including:
- A new broadband router optimised for full fibre speeds
- Clear, step-by-step installation instructions
- All necessary cables and connectors
- Access to comprehensive online support resources
Accelerating Britain's Digital Future
This streamlined approach represents a crucial acceleration in Openreach's mission to bring full fibre broadband to 25 million properties by December 2026. The current rollout pace sees approximately 50,000 additional homes and businesses gaining access to this future-proof technology each week.
An Openreach spokesperson emphasised the transformative potential: "We're building a robust, reliable full fibre network that will serve the nation's needs for decades to come. By simplifying the transition process, we're ensuring more people can quickly benefit from the life-changing advantages of full fibre connectivity."
What Full Fibre Means for Households
The upgrade to full fibre (FTTP - Fibre to the Premises) brings substantial improvements over traditional broadband:
- Blistering Speeds: Capable of supporting download speeds up to 1Gbps - ideal for streaming, gaming and multiple connected devices
- Enhanced Reliability: Less susceptible to weather interference and performance degradation
- Future-Proof Infrastructure: Designed to meet evolving digital demands for years to come
- Consistent Performance: Maintains speed integrity even during peak usage hours
This initiative comes as part of Openreach's broader £15 billion investment in the UK's digital infrastructure, positioning Britain as a global leader in connectivity and technological advancement.
