BT’s network arm Openreach to take on 2,500 extra engineers and switch to electric vans
The network arm of BT is poised to take on 2,500 more engineers and electrify its 27,000 vans.
As it ramps up the roll-out of fibre broadband, Openreach said the expansion next year will mean the second-largest fleet in the country will be electric by 2030, helping to cut carbon emissions.
Research has found the roll-out could add £59billion to the economy by 2025 and Openreach said it would also create 2,800 further jobs in the supply chain.
Fitting fibre: BT’s network arm Openreach is poised to take on 2,500 more engineers and electrify its 27,000 vans
It is owned by BT but is operated at arms-length, and employs 34,500 people. Boss Clive Selley said: ‘We believe Openreach can play a leading role in helping the UK build back better and greener.
‘We know the network we’re building can deliver a host of green benefits – from consuming less power to enabling more home working and fewer commuting trips.’
Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden added: ‘The plans are a huge step forward in our mission to level up Britain’s digital infrastructure and, alongside the Government’s £5billion investment, will make sure even the hardest-to-reach areas get a lightning fast connection.’
Openreach’s roll-out has reached about 3.5m homes and businesses. It has pledged to reach 20m by the ‘mid-to-late 2020s’.