BT to recruit 400 new engineers for broadband rollout

BT Openreach has announced plans to recruit 400 more engineers to work on the deployment of fibre broadband infrastructure around the UK.

The company said the majority of the new roles, which follow the 600 positions created by the internet service provider during the first half of 2012, will be filled by ex-armed forces personnel.

"Fibre broadband will be vital to the future health of the UK," said Olivia Garfield, chief executive of BT Openreach.

"Our engineers are playing a critical role by deploying infrastructure that will underpin the economy for many years to come."

BT's announcement was welcomed by Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who earlier this week voiced his desire to ensure the UK has the fastest broadband network of any major European nation by 2015.

Openreach is planning to extend its fibre broadband footprint to cover two-thirds of British premises by the end of 2014, having reached more than 11 million homes and businesses already.

The company said it will have recruited a total of 1,650 new engineers between March 2011 and December 2012 once the latest positions are filled.