The network arm of BT is poised to take on 2,500 more engineers and electrify its 27,000 vans.
As it ramps up the roll-out of fibre broadband, Openreach said the expansion next year will mean the second-largest fleet in the country will be electric by 2030, helping to cut carbon emissions.
Research has found the roll-out could add £59billion to the economy by 2025 and Openreach said it would also create 2,800 further jobs in the supply chain.
Fitting fibre: BT’s network arm Openreach is poised to take on 2,500 more engineers and electrify its 27,000 vans
It is owned by BT but is operated at arms-length, and employs 34,500 people. Boss Clive Selley said: ‘We believe Openreach can play a leading role in helping the UK build back better and greener.
‘We know the network we’re building can deliver a host of green benefits – from consuming less power to enabling more home working and fewer commuting trips.’
Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden added: ‘The plans are a huge step forward in our mission to level up Britain’s digital infrastructure and, alongside the Government’s £5billion investment, will make sure even the hardest-to-reach areas get a lightning fast connection.’
Openreach’s roll-out has reached about 3.5m homes and businesses. It has pledged to reach 20m by the ‘mid-to-late 2020s’.