Earl Shilton Gears Up for Full Fibre Broadband Upgrade
The residents and businesses of Earl Shilton are set to benefit from a significant technological upgrade as Openreach announces the extension of full fibre broadband to the area. This development is part of a comprehensive broadband enhancement project covering 14 locations across Leicestershire, including Earl Shilton, Loughborough, and Shepshed. The initiative promises faster, more reliable internet connections for the community, marking a substantial leap forward in digital infrastructure.
Expanding Digital Horizons
Earl Shilton, along with other newly included towns and villages, joins over 140,000 homes and businesses in Leicestershire that already enjoy the benefits of full fibre broadband. Openreach’s ambitious project aims to bring gigabit-capable technology to 25 million UK homes and businesses by the end of 2026, with 6.2 million of those in remote and rural areas.
Kasam Hussain, Regional Director for the Midlands at Openreach, emphasized the scale and pace of the project: “This is a huge infrastructure success story across the East Midlands. No company is building faster or further in Europe, that we’re aware of. We won’t be stopping either. We plan to build even further across the region, to more cities and towns, and our most rural communities.”
The Impact on Earl Shilton
The introduction of full fibre broadband to Earl Shilton is expected to have far-reaching benefits. Residents can look forward to improved connectivity, which is essential for remote working, online education, and access to digital services. Local businesses will gain from enhanced internet speeds and reliability, boosting productivity and opening new opportunities for growth and innovation.
Rebecca Henson, Head of the Growth Service at Leicestershire County Council, highlighted the positive implications: “This is great news for the local area. We know how important full fibre is to everyday life and welcome Openreach’s news that further build will soon be getting underway. More and more services that are important to everyday life are now online, so having greater reliability and faster speeds is a welcome boost.”
A Part of a Larger Vision
This upgrade is a segment of Openreach’s £15 billion nationwide project aimed at revolutionizing the UK’s broadband infrastructure. The comprehensive plan includes the following areas in the latest phase:
- Aylestone
- Belgrave
- Braunstone
- Leicester Haymarket
- East Wigston
- Earl Shilton
- Great Glen
- Kegworth
- Leire
- Loughborough
- Osgathorpe
- Shepshed
- Twycross
- West Wigston
Openreach’s work in the region also involves more than 1,600 engineers, who are rapidly and efficiently tackling the complex engineering tasks required to implement this technology.
How to Get Connected
For residents of Earl Shilton, the transition to full fibre broadband will require action. Once the infrastructure is in place, individuals and businesses need to place an order to get connected. Openreach’s network supports a wide range of providers, including BT, Sky, TalkTalk, Vodafone, and Zen, ensuring plenty of choices for consumers to find the best deals.
Openreach has updated its online map and postcode checker to help users track the progress of the fibre rollout and see when their area will be connected. The tools provide a clear, updated view of current and future coverage, enabling residents to stay informed and plan accordingly.
Looking Ahead
With over 4.7 million homes and businesses across the UK already upgraded to full fibre and a continuous flow of more than 50,000 orders each week, the demand for high-speed internet is evident. As Earl Shilton and other areas gear up for this upgrade, the promise of a digitally enhanced future becomes a reality, fostering growth, connectivity, and innovation throughout Leicestershire.
The rollout of full fibre broadband by Openreach is not just about faster internet speeds; it’s about creating a robust digital infrastructure that supports the evolving needs of modern life, ensuring communities like Earl Shilton can thrive in an increasingly connected world.
