Kier awarded major new contract with Openreach to build ultrafast broadband in the south west

Kier will help to build ultra-reliable ‘Full Fibre’ broadband to thousands of homes and businesses in Wiltshire.

Kier, a leading provider of construction and infrastructure services, has been awarded a major new contract by Openreach to build new broadband infrastructure in Swindon and other areas of Wiltshire. This award will support Openreach’s £12 billion project to deliver ultrafast, ultrareliable ‘Full Fibre’ broadband to millions of homes and businesses throughout the UK.

 

Over the next 18 months, Kier will survey, plan and construct a new network to premises in Swindon as well as Royal Wootton Bassett and Highworth in Wiltshire. The contract award follows a competitive tender process and will see Kier supporting Openreach’s ambition to build ‘Full Fibre’ infrastructure to 20 million premises throughout the UK by the mid-to-late 2020s – delivering significant economic, social and environmental benefits for urban communities.

 

Kier is one of nine partners who will be helping to expand Openreach’s full fibre network to a further two million premises across the UK.

 

Barry McNicholas, General Managing Director of Kier Utilities & Rail, stated: “The need for reliable and fast broadband speeds has never been greater and we are delighted to have secured this new work with Openreach and support their ambitious plans of bringing full fibre broadband to millions of homes and businesses.

 

“Our experience within the telecoms market means we are well-placed to support the build and delivery of these networks in Swindon and Wiltshire and working collaboratively with Openreach, we look forward to delivering this vital new infrastructure.”

 

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 broadbrand 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.

 

"We're delighted to be partnering with Kier because they'll be pivotal in helping us achieve those aims for our customers and for the UK as a whole."

 

Kier will be recruiting for a range of roles to support the delivery of this work across Swindon and Wiltshire, details can be found through Kier’s careers page.