Major full fibre broadband work begins in North Devon town promising fast service

Work has begun to install a new full fibre broadband network in Ilfracombe, with engineers starting construction across the town.

Openreach said the upgrade is expected to reach the majority of homes and businesses, giving access to faster and more reliable broadband connections.

Full fibre technology uses fibre optic cables all the way to properties, rather than part-copper lines, and is designed to provide more consistent speeds and fewer faults. 

The network is capable of supporting gigabit-capable broadband, which can handle multiple devices and higher data demands.

Residents may notice increased engineering activity while work is carried out. 

Openreach said it will use existing underground ducts and telegraph poles where possible to limit disruption, but new poles or roadworks may be required in some areas to ensure properties can be included in the upgrade.

The Ilfracombe build forms part of Openreach’s wider national programme to upgrade broadband infrastructure across the UK.

The company said it is currently connecting an average of around 85,000 new premises each week, the equivalent of rolling out full fibre to a large town every few days.

Openreach said the pace of work is aimed at reaching up to five million more homes and businesses over a 12-month period to March 2026. 

Its longer-term target is to make full fibre broadband available to up to 25 million premises by the end of 2026, with the potential to extend this to around 30 million by the end of the decade, subject to investment conditions.

Martin Williams, Openreach partnership director, said the Ilfracombe project was a major infrastructure upgrade and acknowledged there would be some short-term disruption while work is carried out.

He said: “We’re bringing full fibre broadband to Ilfracombe and letting local people know what to expect.This is a major infrastructure upgrade, so there will be more engineering teams, equipment and vans around town.”

He said efforts were being made to keep disruption to a minimum and that the company was also focused on reducing its environmental impact as part of its carbon reduction strategy.

Residents and businesses can register for updates and check whether their address is included in the rollout using Openreach’s online postcode checker as the build progresses.