Openreach Fleet

Openreach : A Brief History

Openreach was launched by BT on the 11th January 2006

"Openreach is a new multi-billion pound business that will be responsible for the nationwide local BT network. It is set to become a familiar household name as it will contain BT's field force of 25,000 engineers. These engineers make more than 3.5 million home visits every year on behalf of hundreds of companies. They are the men and women who install new lines, upgrade the local network and maintain the green cabinets at the side of the road. In short, they are the people who ensure that tens of millions of people across the UK have reliable local access to telephony and internet services."

Photo: Openreach vans at a BT Fleet centre © LSA May 2006

Introduction

Openreach manages BT's 'Local Loop' on behalf of the majority of Telecoms Service Providers (TSPs) or Communications Providers (CPs) in the UK. Openreach was launched by BT on the 11th January 2006.

In August 2013, the buzzword was "Expect Openreach" as its engineers work for over 500 Service Providers who in turn sell telephone, broadband and TV services to the end users (customers). "Our role at Openreach is to keep you connected to your provider. So when you order a new service, or have a problem with your connection, contact your provider, but expect Openreach!" [Source 'Openreach Explained' YouTube.]

As a 'BT Group business', Openreach wasn't perceived as serving all CPs equally.

2015 Overview
	In 2015 the diversity of vehicles is prevalent, as new deliveries feature a variety of models and manufacturers... Openreach Fiat Doblo WM14 LYX in Trefnant © LSA (J) Feb 2015.
DAF
	An Openreach DAF LF, dropside truck with Versalift. DAF LF BX02 GZG with Versalift © LSA April 2012
Fiat Doblo
	Branding designs are getting more intricate as the latest Openreach Superfast fibre vans demonstate. Fiat Doblo Maxi WN63 HBZ with Hummingbird Superfast fibre branding in Southend © LSA October 2013
Fiat Ducato
	The Fiat Ducato 35 Maxi Multijet, type code 602, is one of the selected 1-tonne utilties for 2015. Fiat Ducato Maxi WP64 OKG with Superfast fibre branding in London © LSA August 2015.
Ford Transit
	BT's contracts for vehicles tend to favour different manufacturers at varying periods such that both Ford and Vauxhall have supplied vans for the fleet within recent years. The Ford Transit is the commonplace medium sized van for Openreach duties. The Ford Transit LC62 YSS © LSA Oct 2014
Ford Fiesta
	An Openreach Ford Fiesta. The Fiesta model has not been part of the fleet for almost 10 years. Ford Fiesta LD64 VHH © LSA May 2015.
Iveco Daily
	Iveco Dailys 70C17 - the new vans for cabling duties. At least 145 were ordered and began entering service from June 2015. Iveco Daily BL15 UDO © LSA Nov 2015
Mercedes Sprinter
	An Openreach Mercedes Sprinter with Versalift. Mercedes Sprinter WN12 BCO with Versalift © LSA 2013
Super-fast fibre
	Super-fast fibre is what Openreach is all about. Here we look at the product and the branding... Ford Transit LD11 XJM with Sff branding in Fitzrovia © LSA February 2012
Vauxhall Combo
	The Vauxhall Combo CDTI is the commonplace small van for Openreach duties. Openreach Vauxhall Combo CDTI WR58 EAA © LSA April 2009
Vauxhall Corsa
	The Vauxhall Corsa is the commonplace car/van derivative for Openreach duties. The Vauxhall Corsa © LSA June 2009
Vauxhall Movano
	The Vauxhall Movano F3500 L2H2 CDTI is a typical large utility vehicle well-suited for cabling duties. Openreach Movano FH65 WDZ in Essex © LSA March 2016
Vauxhall Vivaro
	The Vauxhall Vivaro is the workhorse of the medium sized fleet van for Openreach duties. Openreach Vivaro FE07 TWG in London © LSA June 2008
Electric Vehicles
	Electric Vehicles Trials... Ford Transit NK11 DVW at Milton Keynes Museum © LSA April 2014
Chevrons
	"On high-speed roads, all vehicles stopping on the highway for works purposes or inspections shall be equipped with high visibility rear markings." Chevrons Photo © LSA 2009
Openreach Ollie
	Ollie is a children's character based on an Openreach engineer. Ollie helps Openreach achieve its 'First Mile' programme. "Openreach's 'First Mile' education programme helps families provide the foundations for communication skills in pre-school children. Working with I CAN, the aim is to equip every child with the ability and confidence to interact with the world around them, as they embark on a lifetime of communicating." You can watch Ollie at a typical family day out.

Notes

Jan 2011 - New deliveries of Ford Transits for BT/Openreach are being set to a max. speed of 60 mph with corresponding green stickers on the rear door.

Jan 2015 - The Fleet consists mainly of Transits, Vivaros, Combos and Doblos. New registrations have been recorded of some Fiestas, Fiat Ducato Maxis and Fiat Fiorinos.

Nov 2015 - The Vauxhall Movano (type code 617) was added to the fleet.

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