Openreach urges Cumbernauld homes to upgrade broadband
Despite a £3.9 million investment and coverage reaching more than half of the town, just over one in five properties have upgraded.
(Image: Supplied)
Read more: New Glasgow letting agent aims to manage 1,000 properties in two years
Robert Thorburn, Openreach's partnership director for Scotland, said: "Fast and reliable full fibre broadband gives households and businesses a significant boost.
"As the UK's leading provider of fibre infrastructure, Openreach is at the forefront of the digital transformation, connecting communities all over the UK and future-proofing the network for decades to come.
"Our extensive network – the largest in the UK – means residents can shop around and find the best deals that suit their needs.
"But it's important to remember that upgrades don't happen automatically.
"People need to order it to take advantage of the technology."
The uptake challenge extends beyond Cumbernauld, with neighbouring areas such as Shotts, Cambusnethan, and Greengairs also lagging behind in adoption.
Across North Lanarkshire, more than 85,000 properties now have access to Full Fibre.
The technology is said to provide" gigabit-capable speeds", which allows multiple devices to connect simultaneously without slowing down.
Mr Thorburn said many eligible residents might not realise they need to actively request an upgrade.
He said: "It's important to remember that upgrades don't happen automatically.
"People need to order it to take advantage of the technology."
(Image: Supplied)
Read more: Meet the Glasgow pupil who raised hundreds of pounds to buy a life-saving device
Openreach says Full Fibre is suited to streaming, gaming, video calls, online banking, and business operations.
The company also notes that newer broadband packages are increasingly competitively priced, with some customers potentially paying the same or less than their current bills.
Openreach's Full Fibre network currently reaches more than 18 million properties across the UK.
The company aims to expand this to 25 million by the end of 2026 and believes it could reach 30 million by 2030 with the right investment conditions.
Residents can check their eligibility using Openreach's online Full Fibre checker.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
3 days ago
- BBC News
Thousands of Wolverhampton homes get full-fibre broadband
More than 100,000 properties in and around Wolverhampton now have access to full-fibre broadband after the first phase of a project was completed, officials have said its new network was now "ready for service" to more than 90% of Wolverhampton's homes and most networks use fibre optics to carry data right to the end user, and are more reliable than copper-based Jeszemma Howl, cabinet member for governance and digital, said fast and reliable broadband was essential and the council was committed to improve connectivity across the city. CityFibre said it initially connected approximately 170 public sector sites in the city to its full fibre network and has since added 119, including the City of Wolverhampton Council offices, educational buildings and Wolverhampton Homes apartment continues to add more homes, flats and businesses, business parks and homes on private roads, it said."This investment in future-proofed digital infrastructure will help bridge the digital divide, support local businesses, spark investment, enhance public services, and ensure all our residents can thrive in an increasingly digital world," Howl have the choice of full-fibre broadband from a range of internet service providers including Sky, Vodafone, TalkTalk, Giganet, and Zen, and any homes "passed by" the network can arrange an installation within five working days of placing an order, CityFibre Kitchin, partnership manager at CityFibre, said the upgrade would improve productivity for the local economy."We're delighted to announce the completion of the latest primary-build of our full-fibre network in Wolverhampton. "This roll-out marks an exciting step for the city's connectivity, which will now benefit from faster and more reliable broadband." Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Daily Mirror
BT warning for anyone who still has UK landline in their home
The move, which is being spearheaded by BT's Openreach service, is a major change for UK phone lines - with 137 UK areas the latest to be affected by it A warning has been issued to anyone with a UK landline as a huge change means it will stop working for good. Users have been warned that a major change is coming to UK phone lines, with 137 UK areas the latest places to be affected. Telephone providers are upgrading the landline network from analogue to digital. The shake-up means that phone calls will be carried over a broadband connection instead of through copper wires. BT's Openreach service has just announced 137 new locations on its Stop Sell list, reports Birmingham Live. James Lilley, Openreach's managed customer migrations manager, said: "The stop sell programme is a critical part of ensuring that the UK's communication infrastructure is ready to meet the demands of the future. "Taking advantage of the progress of our Full Fibre build and encouraging people to upgrade where a majority can access our new network is the right thing to do as it makes no sense, both operationally and commercially, to keep the old copper network and our new fibre network running side-by-side. "As copper's ability to support modern communications declines, the immediate focus is getting people onto newer, future proofed technologies." Full list of 137 new locations on the Stop Sell list Glarryford, Aghadowey, Pomeroy, Clogher, Fintona, Dromore/Tyrone, Drumquin, Ashby De La Zouch, Freeland, Adderbury, Broomfield, Woodham Ferrers, Framingham, Newhaven, Sacriston, Hoghton, Penrith, Dalston, New Brancepeth, Annbank, Newton Stewart, Ballingry, Lockerbie, Chudleigh, Milford Haven, Bala, Llandrindod Wells, Stourport, Fernhill Heath, Kessingland, Teversham, Silsoe, Saint Faith, Great Dunmow, Girton, Dymchurch, Shildon, Whitley Bridge, Whaley Bridge, Pencaitland, Durrington, Romsey, Plymstock, Midsomer Norton, Forden, Alsager, Haslington, Dyserth, Sandbach, Stonehouse, Hengoed, Amlwch, Pershore, Menai Bridge, Llandovery, Manningtree, Dickleburgh, Chestfield, South Milford, Dolgellau, Avebury, Lockeridge, Newton Tracey, Ogbourne St George, Sandon, Llanbedrog, Llanfrynach, Eskdalemuir, Long Bredy, Berriedale, Sanday, Llandyrnog, Dolwen, Dolgarrog, Chapelton, Pennyghael, Ulva Ferry, Buckland St Mary, Bishopswood, Hawick, Tottington, Eastwood, Purfleet, Locks Heath, Hook, Felling, Southbourne, St Austell, Stubbington, Lynemouth, Starcross, Loughborough, Easton, Wolverhampton, Ashford, Uxbridge, Woodford, Smallbrook, Wood St, Aylesbury, Ingleby Barwick, Leytonstone, Stockton, Sutton In Ashfield, Washington, Worle, Darlington, Holmfirth, Bedford, Goscote, Bishops Cleeve, Wolviston, Armthorpe, Barnwood, Desborough, Coppull, Trentham, Sale, Hexton, Appley Bridge, Manningham, Stoke City, Warsop. The full fibre upgrade is being initiated by the consumer either switching their service provider or upgrading their broadband or phone service. Certain broadband providers might also transition blocks of customers in specific areas to full fibre, aiding in qualifying for volume discounts and as they find that the reliability of full fibre reduces support costs once the upgrade is live.
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Warning to anyone with UK landline as huge change means it will stop working for good – are you affected?
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LANDLINE users have been warned that a major change is coming to UK phone lines, with 137 UK areas the latest places to be affected. Telephone providers are upgrading the landline network from analogue to digital, meaning that phone calls will be carried over a broadband connection instead of through copper wires. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 The old landline service is being switched off Credit: Getty Many other countries, such as Estonia and the Netherlands, have already made this change, and the UK aims to have the majority of the system switched off by January 2027. The change is being made as fibre optic broadband networks are much faster, more reliable and easier to maintain. BT's Stop Sell list BT's Openreach service has just announced 137 new locations on its Stop Sell list. This means that the majority of homes in these areas are already connected to Ultra-Fast full fibre broadband. Customers in these areas who want to upgrade or switch their phone service will have to do so through broadband, instead of copper wires. Landline users are given 12 months' notice of the changes, so the 137 areas on the list have until July 2026 before they are officially put on the Stop Sell list. James Lilley, Openreach's Managed Customer Migrations Manager, said: 'The stop sell programme is a critical part of ensuring that the UK's communication infrastructure is ready to meet the demands of the future. "Taking advantage of the progress of our Full Fibre build and encouraging people to upgrade where a majority can access our new network is the right thing to do as it makes no sense, both operationally and commercially, to keep the old copper network and our new fibre network running side-by-side. "As copper's ability to support modern communications declines, the immediate focus is getting people onto newer, future-proofed technologies." The new technology, called Digital Voice, will have better call quality and a number of other features, such as three-way calling and call diversion. Android users warned as major brand shuts down phone business What do customers have to do? For most customers the move to Digital voice will simply involve connecting a landline phone to a broadband router. BT said that more than 99% of handsets are compatible with its digital home phone service. Customers who are not vulnerable or landline only are being switched nationally across the UK. The company will contact all customers at least four weeks before they are due to switch to make sure they are ready to move to a digital landline. Full list of 137 new locations on the Stop Sell list HERE'S the full list of areas that have been added to the list: Glarryford Aghadowey Pomeroy Clogher Fintona Dromore/Tyrone Drumquin Ashby De La Zouch Freeland Adderbury Broomfield Woodham Ferrers Framingham Newhaven Sacriston Hoghton Penrith Dalston New Brancepeth Annbank Newton Stewart Ballingry Lockerbie Chudleigh Milford Haven Bala Llandrindod Wells Stourport Fernhill Heath Kessingland Teversham Silsoe Saint Faith Great Dunmow Girton Dymchurch Shildon Whitley Bridge Whaley Bridge Pencaitland Durrington Romsey Plymstock Midsomer Norton Forden Alsager Haslington Dyserth Sandbach Stonehouse Hengoed Amlwch Pershore Menai Bridge Llandovery Manningtree Dickleburgh Chestfield South Milford Dolgellau Avebury Lockeridge Newton Tracey Ogbourne St George Sandon Llanbedrog Llanfrynach Eskdalemuir Long Bredy Berriedale Sanday Llandyrnog Dolwen Dolgarrog Chapelton Pennyghael Ulva Ferry Buckland St Mary Bishopswood Hawick Tottington Eastwood Purfleet Locks Heath Hook Felling Southbourne St Austell Stubbington Lynemouth Starcross Loughborough Easton Wolverhampton Ashford Uxbridge Woodford Smallbrook Wood St Aylesbury Ingleby Barwick Leytonstone Stockton Sutton In Ashfield Washington Worle Darlington Holmfirth Bedford Goscote Bishops Cleeve Wolviston Armthorpe Barnwood Desborough Coppull Trentham Sale Hexton Appley Bridge Manningham Stoke City Warsop What if I am vulnerable? Last year, BT had to pause the switchover after concerns that health pendants worn by vulnerable customers would stop working when older landlines were switched off. Around 1.8 million customers use health pendants, which are emergency alarms worn around the neck. If these pendants are connected through broadband rather than a landline then they may stop working during a powercut or if the internet fails. BT has now begun contacting vulnerable customers to help them with any additional support they need. Customers who do not have broadband will also be offered a dedicated landline service, which will allow them to use their landline in the same way they do today until 2030 or once a digital solution becomes available.
