Why Openreach is Looking to Google Cloud AI for Efficiency
Openreach, the telco firm operating the UK's largest broadband network, has announced an expanded collaboration with Google Cloud to accelerate its sustainability and connectivity objectives through AI.
By deploying Google Cloud's advanced AI and data science technologies, Openreach is optimising its commercial fleet – the UK's second-largest by number of vehicles – and accelerating the rollout of gigabit full fibre broadband to millions of homes across the country.
Leveraging Google Cloud's Vertex AI and BigQuery, Openreach has implemented key initiatives aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of its 24,000-van fleet, improving operational efficiency and enabling faster broadband installations for customers. The partnership stands to demonstrate how AI-driven solutions are being applied to address real-world infrastructure and environmental challenges at scale.
With vehicles covering almost 200 million miles each year, Openreach has migrated its fleet telematics data to Google Cloud to drive what could be meaningful sustainability and efficiency gains. By applying advanced geoanalytics, these initiatives are already cutting emissions and unnecessary mileage, while also generating millions of pounds in annual savings for operations nationwide.
Accelerating the electric vehicle transition
Using BigQuery geoanalytics capabilities, Openreach can now identify where electric vans can replace diesel vehicles most effectively, based on real-world usage, routes and charging availability.
According to the company, Openreach's cloud-based fleet data has helped roll out EVs at a significantly faster rate, with those extra EVs taking approximately 10,000 tonnes of CO₂e off the road every year.
The AI-powered system also enables Openreach to pinpoint the root causes of idling and excessive travel to reduce fuel consumption, particularly in clean air zones.
Additionally, the technology allows the company to minimise "vehicle off road" time to ensure the right vehicles are available where they are needed most, while transforming data into actionable insights to identify potential faults, creating what could be a safer and more reliable fleet.
Creating digital infrastructure twins
Elsewhere, Openreach has created a digital replica of the UK's transportation corridors using Google Cloud's Vertex AI.
The platform integrates data from 35 million homes and businesses with national road, rail and waterway networks, and its existing broadband infrastructure. This allows planners to visualise exactly where full-fibre can be extended sooner, identifying eligible homes and businesses.
Ultimately, the approach could enable a smarter, more sustainable expansion of Openreach's full fibre network by providing comprehensive visibility of infrastructure opportunities.
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."
Enhancing engineering efficiency
Openreach is using Gemini Enterprise, Google Cloud's agent orchestration platform, to make its cloud engineering more efficient.
The platform enables data engineers to automatically convert complex legacy queries into clean, production-ready code for BigQuery.
By handling these repetitive tasks, Openreach has already reduced time-to-insight by upwards of 50%, allowing engineers to prioritise building new solutions over manual code maintenance.
Maureen Costello, Vice President, UKI and SSA at Google Cloud, adds: "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."
