By Martin Williams, regional director for Wales, Openreach.
Wales has reached an important moment in its digital journey. More than 1.25 million homes and businesses across the country can now connect to Openreach’s Full Fibre network – meaning around eight in ten premises are within reach of faster, more reliable broadband than ever before.
For a nation with such a diverse geography, from dense cities to some of the most rural communities in the UK, that is no small achievement. However, as significant as this milestone is, it also marks a turning point. Because building the network is only part of the story. Making sure people and communities fully benefit from it is the next, and arguably most important, chapter.
From coverage to connection
Over the past few years, engineers have been working street by street, town by town, laying thousands of miles of fibre‑optic cable to upgrade older copper infrastructure.
The result is a Full Fibre network that gives Wales a platform fit for decades to come – supporting modern life in ways that simply weren’t possible before.
What’s particularly encouraging is that take‑up in Wales is now building real momentum. Close to half of the homes and businesses able to upgrade have already made the switch. That tells us something important: when people experience the difference Full Fibre can make, they value it.
For households, that can mean more reliable home working, smoother streaming, online learning without frustration, or simply staying connected with family and friends.
For businesses, it can be the difference between being limited by connectivity or able to grow, trade online and compete with confidence.
Choice, awareness and confidence
One of the strengths of the Openreach network is that it supports a wide range of broadband providers. That choice matters. It means people can shop around for the service and price that suits them best, using the same underlying fibre network.
Yet despite widespread availability, thousands of properties that could upgrade haven’t done so yet. In many cases, that’s not about reluctance – it’s about awareness.
Availability and speeds can vary street by street, even within the same community, and many people simply don’t realise that Full Fibre is now an option for them.
That’s why checking what’s available locally on Openreach’s Fibre Checker is such an important first step. It turns a national infrastructure story into something personal and practical.
Connectivity as a foundation for Wales’s future
Fast, reliable broadband is no longer a “nice to have”. It underpins economic growth, supports public services and helps communities thrive.
Across Wales, we’re working closely with the Wales Office and elected representatives to understand how connectivity can best support local priorities – from strengthening town centres and rural economies to improving access to public services and opportunities for young people.
Full Fibre won’t solve every challenge on its own. But it is a critical enabler, and ensuring people are able to make full use of it will be key to maximising its impact.
The work isn’t finished
While coverage is already extensive, the work continues. Engineers are still out building, connecting and extending the network to more communities, including some of the most remote and hard‑to‑reach parts of the country.
Reaching this milestone should be a source of pride for Wales.
The next step is to make sure as many people as possible can benefit from what’s now available – so that the investment being made today delivers lasting value for communities across Wales tomorrow.
