Inside Openreach's AI-Led Fibre Rollout with Google Cloud

Openreach, the company that operates the UK’s largest broadband network, is expanding its collaboration with Google Cloud as it applies AI to core telco operations.

At the heart of the companies' work is the aim to build out full fibre access and run a vast field workforce, with a focus on efficiency, coverage and lower emissions.

Openreach deploys Google Cloud services including Vertex AI and BigQuery to process and analyse large volumes of operational data. Vertex AI is a platform for building and running machine learning models, and BigQuery is a data warehouse that supports high speed analysis at scale.

Together, they allow Openreach to turn network and fleet data into actions that affect how quickly engineers reach premises and how infrastructure plans take shape.

With around 24,000 vans on the road and close to 200 million miles covered each year, the fleet is central to installation and repair activity.

AI applied to fibre rollout and field operations

The pace of fibre deployment depends on planning accuracy and field execution for Openreach. The telco uses geoanalytics in BigQuery to map demand, routes and constraints, which helps planners decide where to extend gigabit-capable full fibre first.

The same data flows inform day-to-day engineering work. By identifying inefficient routes or repeated visits, the system supports fewer wasted journeys and faster completion of jobs. That has a direct effect on customer experience, as installations and fault fixes can be scheduled and completed more quickly.

Openreach has also built what it describes as a digital replica of the UK’s transport corridors using Vertex AI. This “digital twin” combines data from 35 million homes and businesses with road, rail and waterway networks and existing broadband assets. 

Managing a national fleet with data

Fleet performance is a major operational cost for any telco with a large field presence.

Openreach applies AI models to pinpoint idling, which is when a vehicle engine runs while stationary, and excessive travel – both of which increase fuel use and emissions. The system highlights root causes, such as routing choices or scheduling gaps, so managers can intervene.

The same approach supports the transition from diesel to electric vehicles. Using BigQuery’s geoanalytics, Openreach identifies where electric vans can replace diesel based on real routes and access to charging.

Openreach says that the cloud-based analysis so far has accelerated the rollout of electric vehicles and removed about 10,000 tonnes of CO2e each year. 

The platform also helps reduce downtime and ensures the right vehicles are in the right locations. It flags potential faults early, which contributes to a safer and more reliable fleet that supports network build and maintenance.

James Tappenden, Managing Director of Fibre First and Shared Services at Openreach, says: "As the builder of the UK's largest broadband network and operator of the country's second largest commercial vehicle fleet, we take our responsibilities seriously.

"By applying Google Cloud's technologies to real operational challenges, we're seeing practical, measurable benefits – from connecting more families to gigabit broadband faster, to cutting vehicle emissions across our workforce.

"This partnership is helping us work smarter, move quicker and build a more sustainable network for the UK."

Engineering productivity and data platforms

Beyond field operations, Openreach focuses on how its engineering teams work with data. It uses Gemini Enterprise, Google Cloud’s agent orchestration platform, to streamline development tasks. 

In practice, Gemini Enterprise converts complex legacy queries, which are older scripts, into production-ready code for BigQuery. Automating the conversion reduces manual effort and errors, and shortens the time it takes to move from data to insight.

Openreach has reported a reduction in time-to-insight of more than 50%, which allows engineers to spend less time on maintenance and more on building new tools that support network planning, assurance and customer delivery.

Maureen Costello, Vice President, UKI and SSA at Google Cloud, says: "By harnessing the power of AI, and empowering its engineering teams with Gemini Enterprise, Openreach isn't just visualising data; it is using it to make real-world changes that benefit the British public and the environment.

"We are proud to support Openreach's journey toward a more connected and sustainable future."