Thousands in Penrith yet to benefit from £2.8m broadband upgrade in the town

Full Fibre broadband is now available to 9,600 homes and businesses across Penrith thanks to a major investment of around £2.8m – but many people could still be using slower, less reliable connections.

With over 80% of properties in the area now able to upgrade their broadband service, Openreach is encouraging residents to check what’s available and see if they can benefit from faster, more reliable broadband.

Full Fibre delivers a smoother online experience - faster downloads, more stable connections, and better performance when multiple devices are running at once – and the Openreach network has a wide choice of service providers to choose from.

People living in Penrith can check if they can upgrade by visiting Openreach’s Full Fibre checker.

Robert Thorburn, Partnership Director for Cumbria, said: “Most of Penrith is now covered by Full Fibre, but many residents and businesses still haven’t made the switch. It’s not automatic – you need to place an order with your chosen broadband provider.

“The difference in speed and reliability can be significant, especially for busy households or people working from home. We want to make sure everyone knows what’s available and how to get it.

“Openreach is committed to building the best Full Fibre network, and doing it sustainably. Through our Let’s Reach Zero strategy, we’re working to reduce carbon emissions, use fewer resources, cut waste, and protect nature wherever we operate.”

Full Fibre brings a faster, more reliable connection that keeps up with modern digital life - whether it’s streaming, gaming, video calling, managing finances, or running a business.

Openreach’s Full Fibre network now reaches 23 million homes and businesses across the UK. The company plans to extend this to 25 million by the end of 2026, with the potential to reach 30 million by 2030 with the right investment conditions.