Openreach, the UK’s largest broadband network provider, has announced plans to hire 4,000 new employees to help expand its network across the country. The move comes as part of the company’s ongoing efforts to improve connectivity and bring faster broadband speeds to more homes and businesses.
The new hires will be spread across the country, with a focus on areas where Openreach is currently expanding its network. This includes rural areas, where broadband speeds are often slower and connectivity is more limited. The company has pledged to connect 20 million homes and businesses to its network by the mid-2020s, and the new hires will play a key role in achieving this goal.
Openreach CEO Clive Selley said: “We’re making great progress with our full fibre build programme and our work to improve customer service. We’re now looking for thousands of new recruits to join Openreach and help us build the network that will underpin the UK’s economic recovery.”
The new hires will include engineers, planners, and customer service representatives, among other roles. Openreach has said that it will provide training and support to help new employees develop the skills they need to succeed in their roles.
The move has been welcomed by industry experts, who say that it will help to boost the UK’s digital infrastructure and support economic growth. “This is a positive step forward for the UK’s broadband network,” said Richard Neudegg, head of regulation at comparison site Uswitch. “By investing in new hires and expanding its network, Openreach is helping to ensure that more people can access fast and reliable broadband, which is essential for both businesses and consumers.”
The announcement comes as the UK government continues to push for better broadband connectivity across the country. In November 2020, the government announced a £5 billion investment in gigabit-capable broadband, with the aim of providing coverage to the majority of the UK by 2025.
Overall, the expansion of Openreach’s network and the hiring of 4,000 new employees is a positive development for the UK’s digital infrastructure. By improving connectivity and bringing faster broadband speeds to more homes and businesses, Openreach is helping to support economic growth and ensure that the UK remains competitive in the global digital economy.