OPENREACH - BT’s local network business - is making high speed fibre broadband available to every home and business in Priory Vale, north Swindon covering some 6,500 premises.

The news follows the company’s recent trial of new ‘plug and play’ Fibre-to-the Premises (FTTP) technology in the area, which saw around 500 homes gain access to some of the fastest broadband speeds in the UK.

The expansion of Openreach’s fibre network across Priory Vale will be achieved using a combination of technologies, with around 1,000 homes and businesses gaining access to the new FTTP technology.

It offers ultrafast speeds of up to 330 megabits per second (mbps) – among the fastest speeds available in the UK.

The remaining 5,500 premises will get access to Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) technology, delivering superfast speeds of up to 80mbps.

Work is due to start on building the network next month with the service available by next Spring.

Kim Mears, Openreach’s managing director for infrastructure delivery, said: “We’re delighted to be rolling-out fibre to every home and business in Priory Vale.

“We’ve already enjoyed a very successful trial of ‘plug-and-play’ FTTP technology and now have decided to carry out further major investment to expand our superfast and ultrafast broadband networks in this area.

“Having good fast connectivity to the internet is vital. It helps business to move, act and trade quickly and effectively. It enables schoolchildren to access their homework online, helps provide care for our elderly, as well as offering better access to e-commerce, social media and home entertainment.

"For all of these things, fast broadband is essential and Priory Vale will now be able to enjoy the benefits.”

Justin Tomlinson, MP for North Swindon, said: “This is a fantastic and vital announcement.

“For years I’ve worked with fellow local residents to push for access to superfast fibre broadband and we know from the successful pilots, demand will be very, very strong.

"It is a credit to BT that they have worked with us to deliver this solution, a real welcome boost to our local community.”

Paul Coles, South West regional manager for BT, said: “Residents and businesses in Priory Vale will now find out for themselves that whatever you do on the internet you can do it better with fibre broadband.

“For example, families who need to connect a number of different devices to the internet at the same time will notice an immediate improvement, while small businesses and homeworkers will be able to share information and large files more easily and quickly with their colleagues and customers.”

The new fibre technology enables several people to stream high definition films, music or enjoy gaming in different parts of the home simultaneously. 

As a result of the successful trials of Openreach’s new FTTP service in Priory Vale, customers can now be connected in a simple two-hour appointment.

Across Wiltshire more than 85 per cent of homes and businesses can already place orders for fibre broadband thanks to investments by BT and partnerships with local and national government.

Openreach has built the largest fibre broadband network in the UK, already reaching more than 25 million premises.

Coun Toby Elliott, Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member responsible for superfast broadband, said: “I am pleased BT has joined Virgin in announcing firm plans to install fibre broadband in north Swindon as the council, myself, both Swindon MPs and my fellow ward councillors have worked hard over the last few years to make it happen.

“When we ran our procurement process to bring superfast broadband to those areas of the borough with poor provision, none of the major fibre broadband providers decided to take part, so I am glad our Superfast Swindon project has helped stimulate the market to provide even more choice for residents.

“To find out how you can receive Superfast Swindon visit www.superfastswindon.com

“The Superfast Swindon scheme is progressing well and, as of today, superfast broadband is now available in Bishopstone.