Gedling MP Tom Randall has spent time with Openreach engineers in Arnold to witness first-hand the engineering techniques being used to deliver the next generation of broadband across his constituency.
He was given a socially-distanced tour of the work, which has already reached more than 20,000 homes and businesses across Gedling borough.
Gedling borough was the first location in the East Midlands to be included in Openreach’s full fibre build, back in November 2018.
Meeting with the MP and a local broadband champion, the Openreach team were also able to explain how the build in city areas is happening alongside rural work.
Gedling MP Tom Randall said: “I enjoyed meeting Openreach engineers in Arnold to learn more about the challenges they face installing ultrafast broadband after being contacted by a constituent who was experiencing broadband connection issues.
“The extension of full fibre broadband to large parts of Gedling borough, Nottingham and the wider county is very positive news. I am determined to do what I can to ensure as many residents as possible have access to fast, reliable broadband, no matter where they live.”
The visit was hosted by Kasam Hussain, regional partnership director for Openreach in the Midlands, who said: “We welcomed the opportunity to give Tom a step-by-step demonstration of our technology. Our engineers work hard every day to keep communities across Nottinghamshire and the wider region connected, and it was great to be able to share the challenges and realities of delivering this technology.”
Openreach offers download speeds of 1 Gbps – which is up to 10 times faster than the average home broadband connection.
The company’s updated build plan will be fundamental to the UK Government achieving its target of delivering ‘gigabit capable broadband’ to 85 per cent of UK by 2025.
Postman Pat out and about again