MP gets to grips with fibre broadband as High Peak set for faster speeds

Engineers installing ultrafast broadband in some of the most rural and hard-to-reach parts of Derbyshire were aided by a special visitor.
Robert Largan MP was given a tour of Openreach’s broadband network.Robert Largan MP was given a tour of Openreach’s broadband network.
Robert Largan MP was given a tour of Openreach’s broadband network.

High Peak MP Robert Largan spent time in New Mills and Thornsett to witness first-hand the innovative engineering techniques being used to deliver the next generation of full fibre broadband directly to homes and businesses.

He was given a socially-distanced tour of Openreach’s broadband network – used by the likes of BT, Sky, Plusnet and TalkTalk – by fibre engineer Dee Chlebovskaja.

Recently, Openreach announced plans to extend its full fibre build to homes and businesses in 11 market towns and villages across Derbyshire, including Glossop, Buxton and Chapel-en-le-Frith.

Future-proof full fibre broadband can carry speeds up to 1Gbps - around 15 times faster than the UK’s current average.

Robert said: “The pandemic has highlighted the importance of reliable and effective broadband services for businesses, employees working from home and families keeping in touch.

"Since being elected I’ve been campaigning for the High Peak to be upgraded to ultra-fast fibre broadband.

"There is more work to be done but this is an important step in ensuring everyone has access to a good level of service.”

According to independent website Think Broadband, more than 95 per cent of residents within High Peak constituency already have access to superfast fibre coverage at speeds of 24Mbps and more.