SWANSEA: Up to 37,000 homes and businesses to get faster broadband in £1.5m network upgrade

Up to 37,000 homes and businesses in Swansea are set to get faster, more reliable broadband after a £1.5 million investment was announced by nexfibre — a company building a nationwide broadband network as a direct rival to Openreach, which currently owns and operates most of the UK’s broadband infrastructure.

The investment will see full-fibre broadband cables laid to properties across the city. Unlike older broadband technology which relies partly on copper telephone wires, full-fibre connections run entirely on fibre-optic cables, delivering faster and more consistent speeds.

Residents and businesses will not need to sign up to nexfibre directly. The company builds the network and then sells access to internet service providers — meaning once the infrastructure is in place, customers will be able to choose from a range of broadband providers who use the network to deliver their services. Existing Virgin Media customers in the affected areas are among those expected to be upgraded as part of the rollout.

The announcement follows nexfibre’s acquisition of rival broadband infrastructure company Netomnia earlier this year, a deal which the company says will unlock £3.5 billion of international investment into the UK’s digital infrastructure. nexfibre is a joint venture between three large international telecoms and investment companies — InfraVia, Liberty Global and Telefónica — and its network already covers more than 2.6 million properties across the UK.

The combined network, following the Netomnia deal, is expected to reach around eight million properties nationwide by the end of 2027.

Rajiv Datta, chief executive of nexfibre, said the investment would help deliver better access to education, jobs and opportunities.

“Full-fibre broadband is a crucial driver of economic growth,” he said, “and our investment in Swansea will help deliver better access to education, jobs, and opportunities that can transform lives and uplift entire communities.”

The deal has been welcomed by Lord Stockwood, the UK Government’s Minister for Investment, though no specific Welsh Government or Swansea Council response has been made public.

The investment is part of a broader push to expand full-fibre coverage across the UK, where Openreach has historically been the dominant network provider. nexfibre is positioning itself as a large-scale competitor, giving internet service providers an alternative network to use — which its backers say will increase competition and drive down prices for consumers.

The Swansea rollout is subject to regulatory approval of the wider Netomnia acquisition, which is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2026. No specific timeline for when Swansea residents will see work begin on the ground has been given.

nexfibre says its network will be open to all broadband providers, giving residents a choice of supplier rather than being tied to a single company.

Anyone currently with a broadband provider in the affected areas does not need to take any action at this stage. Further details on when the upgrade will reach specific streets or postcodes are expected to be announced closer to the rollout date.

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Full fibre broadband rollout begins in Clydach

Openreach says the rollout will give residents access to faster and more reliable internet, with speeds capable of supporting multiple devices and high‑bandwidth activities like streaming, gaming and video calls.

The company says the build will reach the majority of properties in Clydach, although some disruption is expected as engineering teams install new poles, ducts and fibre cables. Where possible, Openreach says it will use existing infrastructure to minimise roadworks and street furniture.

Martin Williams, Openreach’s Partnership Director for Wales, said:

“We’re bringing full fibre broadband to Clydach and letting local people know what to expect. This is a major infrastructure upgrade, so there will be more engineering teams, equipment and vans around town, and we’re working hard to keep disruption to a minimum.”

He added that the company is aiming to reduce its environmental impact during the rollout, as part of its wider sustainability strategy.

Residents can check availability and register for updates via the Openreach website as the build progresses.

Openreach’s full fibre network currently reaches more than 20 million properties across the UK. The company plans to extend this to 25 million by the end of 2026, and says it could reach 30 million by 2030 depending on investment conditions.

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