Openreach’s gigabit upgrade, using all-fiber technology, will deliver speeds 10 times faster and five times more reliable than existing copper broadband on Holy Island.
The works will also improve connectivity for the more than 650,000 tourists who visit the beauty spot – which includes a castle and priory – every year.
Mike Poole, Chief Engineer and Board Member of Openreach North of England, said: “Twice a day when the tide comes in, people living and working on Holy Island are not physically connected to the mainland, but they can certainly stay connected virtually. through their broadband now.
“The weather on the island can be extreme, especially in winter, so having more reliable broadband technology is arguably almost as important as speed – although speed will certainly come into its own during the summer months when thousands of visitors will arrive.
“With visitors comes additional demand on existing infrastructure, including broadband. For businesses on the island, many of which support the tourism industry, this new technology is vital.
“People still expect to be able to access Wi-Fi in cafes to upload their holiday photos to social media and download movies in the evening to relax.”
Openreach has previously announced plans to invest in fiber optic broadband for the majority of local towns and villages across Northumberland following the company’s commercial build and iNorthumberland broadband partnership with Northumberland County Council. Northumberland.
Other places that will benefit from the program once the work is completed in towns and villages include Longframlington, Red Row, Rothbury, Seahouses and Shilbottle.
Openreach engineers are also currently in Berwick and they will make improvements to more than 4,000 homes and businesses, with work due to be completed by June next year.
Welcoming Berwick’s upgrade, Berwick North County Councilor Catherine Seymour said: ‘Full fiber optic connections for high speed digital cable have now started in the town so there will be disturbances in our streets to install it.
“The positive results will be that it will provide higher quality internet to local businesses, schools and residents, which will benefit the community.”
