Geotab partners with Openreach on 23,000-vehicle fleet telematics
Geotab, a global leader in commercial fleet telematics, has announced a new partnership with Openreach. The collaboration gives one of the UK’s biggest fleets richer insight into vehicle health and driver behaviour. It aims to improve road safety, reduce downtime and support Openreach’s environmental ambitions.
Road safety is the priority for Openreach
Openreach operates the UK’s second largest commercial fleet. Its engineers drive millions of miles every year to build and maintain the country’s digital network. Driving is one of the highest risk activities that Openreach people undertake, so road safety remains a key priority for the business.
Fleet telematics collects data from vehicles and turns it into practical insight. On a fleet of this scale, small improvements in driving behaviour or maintenance planning add up quickly. Geotab’s technology gives Openreach the visibility to spot patterns, tackle risks early and support engineers on the road.
Engineers test the technology first
An early adopters phase is now under way. Volunteer engineers have put themselves forward to test the technology and validate the user experience. They will also help Openreach assess how richer vehicle data and insights can build a safer, more efficient fleet while reducing environmental impact.
Involving drivers from the start makes sense. Engineers know better than anyone how their vehicles perform day to day. Their feedback will shape how the system works before any wider rollout, which should help the technology fit naturally into their working lives.
Spotting maintenance issues before they cause breakdowns
The data will provide enhanced insights into vehicle performance. It will help identify potential maintenance issues before they lead to breakdowns, which minimises unplanned downtime. Fewer unexpected failures mean engineers can spend more time keeping people and businesses connected.
Openreach will also use the data to understand fuel consumption and vehicle utilisation more clearly. These insights show how often vehicles are on the road, how they are used and where efficiencies might exist. This knowledge will be valuable as the business plans its transition to lower-emission vehicles, because decisions about which vehicles to replace, and when, depend on accurate information.
Putting information in drivers’ hands
Geotab shares the driving data directly with drivers through an easy-to-use app. Engineers can see their own driving behaviours, correct them where needed and keep improving their skills. This approach empowers the people behind the wheel rather than simply monitoring them, and it helps to make every journey safer.
Self-coaching of this kind can build good habits over time. When drivers see clear, personal feedback, they can make small adjustments that benefit their own safety, their colleagues and other road users.
Built with privacy and trust in mind
Openreach and Geotab have designed the technology with employee privacy in mind. It includes controls that limit data collection outside working hours. Openreach has also worked with the CWU and Prospect, its recognised trade unions, on the trial.
If the trial proves successful, Openreach will deploy the technology across its entire fleet of more than 23,000 company cars and commercial vans.
What the partners say
Judy O’Keefe, Director of Fleet Management, says: “Our engineers rely on their vehicles every day to keep people and businesses connected. We have worked with the CWU and Prospect, our recognised Trade Unions on this trial which will help us better understand how our fleet is performing so we can improve safety, reduce downtime and provide our colleagues with the best possible support.
“By giving us earlier visibility of potential vehicle issues and better insight into how our fleet operates, this technology can help create a safer, more efficient and more sustainable fleet for the future.”
Aaron Jarvis, Vice President EMEA at Geotab, says: “Openreach operates a nationwide fleet in all conditions, delivering the critical connectivity that powers the UK. We have collaborated closely to ensure our solution was rigorously validated by both leadership and the engineers who depend on driving for their daily roles.
“Throughout this journey, Openreach’s unwavering commitment to workforce safety and trust has been second to none. This has been evidenced by their deliberate approach to technology selection and the proactive engagement with their drivers which will continue via this trial. Establishing this foundation of trust is just as vital as the insights generated by the data, and we are proud to be a part of their ambitions.”
A data-led approach to fleet safety
The partnership shows how fleet data can support safety, efficiency and sustainability at the same time. By starting with volunteers and involving trade unions, Openreach is building confidence before it commits to a full rollout. For fleet managers watching the trial, the focus on driver engagement and privacy offers a useful example of how to introduce telematics responsibly.
