Thousands of people across Airdrie are missing out on faster and more reliable broadband.
Openreach has warned around 16,000 homes and businesses in the town are now able to upgrade to full fibre – but only around 18 per cent of them have made the switch so far.
The national digital network is urging local people to visit here to check if they’re now able to upgrade.
Robert Thorburn, Openreach Scotland partnership manager, told Lanarkshire Live: “Fast and reliable full fibre broadband gives households and businesses a boost – it can have a huge impact on people’s daily lives.
“Local households, including those living in flats and apartments, might also be missing out on great deals.
“Openreach’s network supports more than 700 service providers, meaning you’re able to shop around and find a package and price that works for you.
“It’s important to remember that upgrades don’t happen automatically. People need to place orders through their broadband service provider to take advantage.”
Fibre technology offers a faster, more reliable connection that keeps up with the demands of today’s digital world.
Whether streaming your favourite show, gaming online, making a video call, managing your finances, or running a business, fibre keeps everything running smoothly.
Packages from a wide range of broadband providers are also increasingly competitively priced, meaning people may pay similar, or even less, per month than their current bill for a much-improved service.
Sara Thiam, chief executive at Prosper, the Scottish economic alliance, said: “Research consistently shows that ultrafast broadband gives businesses an edge and provides families and home-workers with future-proof connectivity.
“It can have a huge impact on people’s lives, which isn’t just great for the local economy but better for the environment.
“With so much of Airdrie now covered, there’s significant scope for the area to benefit positively.”
Openreach’s new fibre network in Scotland now reaches more than 1.4 million properties.
The company plans to roll out the new technology to 25 million homes and businesses by the end of 2026, with an ambition to reach up to 30 million by the end of the decade.
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