Thousands in Birmingham 'yet to complete full fibre internet switch'

More than 400,000 homes and businesses in Birmingham now have access to Full Fibre - but thousands have yet to make the switch, despite the potential for faster and more reliable broadband.

According to Kasam Hussain, Openreach partnership director for the North and Midlands, the upgrade does not happen manually, and residents are required to place an order with a service provider.

The £120m investment by Openreach has brought gigabit-capable broadband to around 75 per cent of properties in the area.

Full Fibre technology allows for smoother streaming, faster downloads, and more stable connections - particularly important for households with multiple devices or for those working from home.

People living in Birmingham can see if they can upgrade to full fibre by visiting Openreach’s full fibre checker.

Kasam said: “Most of Birmingham is covered by Full Fibre, but many residents and businesses haven’t yet made the switch. It’s not automatic - you need to place an order with your chosen provider.

“The difference in speed and reliability can be significant, especially for busy households or people working from home. We want to make sure everyone knows what’s available and how to get it.

“Openreach is committed to building the best full fibre network, and doing it sustainably is crucial for our business, the communities we serve, and the environment we all share.

“As part of our ‘Let’s Reach Zero’ strategy, we aim to lower our carbon emissions, use less and waste less material, and protect nature wherever we operate.”

Openreach’s full fibre network now reaches more than 21 million properties, and the company plans to extend this to 25 million homes and businesses by the end of 2026, with a belief it can reach as many as 30 million by the end of the decade – with the right investment conditions.