9th Sep 2026 12:33
(Alliance News) - BT Group PLC's subsidiary Openreach will be allowed to change prices for copper-based broadband, Ofcom decided, as the company encourages customers to move to a full-fibre network.
Openreach will be able to alter prices from April 1, 2029, in areas of the UK where full fibre is available and where ultrafast broadband is accessible to at least 90% of premises, lowering the threshold from the current 100%.
Ofcom said the decision will support Openreach's gradual shutdown of its old copper network and move customers to full-fibre broadband.
"Maintaining both copper and fibre infrastructure at the same time is costly and inefficient for Openreach. Retiring the copper network would free up resources that could instead be used to invest in network improvements or deliver lower prices over time," said Ofcom.
The telecommunications regulator noted that customers will remain protected by a charge control. If full fibre is not available, the existing price cap on copper broadband will remain. Should that be removed, a price control will apply to full-fibre services instead.
"We expect broadband providers to support customers in finding a new deal for a better service. Evidence shows that people can switch to a full-fibre service and pay the same, or less, than they do for a connection that uses copper," said Ofcom.
BT Group shares were up 0.5% at 200.00 pence on Wednesday in London.
By Camilla Borri, Alliance News reporter
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