Openreach’s full fibre network is already available to more than 3m homes and businesses across the UK.

Contractor in line for big new regional work programmes include: Morrison Telecom Services, a part of M Group Services; Talent, KN Circet; and MJ Quinns. (Full list below)

The nine partners named today will extend broadband to at least a further 2m premises across the country. 

They will be responsible for construction tasks such as: surveying, building, testing and supporting Openreach to commission the network.

The Spine survey and build will begin later this year and the Access build which provides fibre connectivity to homes will begin in April 2021 with the build scheduled to last 18 – 24 months.

Pat Carolan, Managing Director of Morrison Telecom Services, said: “The rollout programme will see our teams of engineers and support staff delivering full design, survey and build activities, including all civils-related works, from the exchange to the premises.

“Setting the highest performance standards in safety, innovation and customer engagement, we look forward to working with Openreach, the local authorities and other key stakeholders to ensure the success of this latest phase of ‘Full Fibre’ broadband delivery.”

Kevin Murphy, MD for Fibre and Network Delivery at Openreach, said: “Great connectivity is more important than ever, whether it’s to support home working, to keep in touch with family and friends, or to access digital services like health and education.

“Full Fibre broadband enables this in spades, and we’re ramping up our own efforts to build our new network to as many homes and businesses across the UK as we can.

“This is one of the largest infrastructure projects in the UK today, and if we’re going to deliver the enormous social, environmental and economic benefits that Full Fibre can bring, it’s important we can build the new network efficiently, safely and without compromising on quality.”