BT Group ‘leads push for timetable’ on Britain’s big broadband switch
BT Group and other broadband infrastructure firms are said to be holding talks with the government about a timetable for switching off copper broadband services.
In a move that would echo the switch-off of analogue TV signal in 2012, BT is reportedly spearheading the initiative, which has been under discussion with other firms, regulators and ministers for weeks.
The plans, thought to be drawn up by BT’s chief executive Philip Jansen, would involve full-fibre broadband replacing existing copper networks on a region-by-region basis over the coming six years.
Sky News reports a final switch-off date of 2027 is being earmarked for customers using the remaining copper lines.
Consumers and businesses in each region would be told two years in advance that they must make a switch to a full-fibre provider.
The plans would go some way to helping the industry meet Boris Johnson’s target of universal fast broadband across the UK by 2025.
Sources who had been briefed on the companies’ proposals said broadband lines would be terminated on a staggered basis once the new, faster networks are built in each region.
A spokesman for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said: “This Government wants to deliver world-class, gigabit-capable digital infrastructure across the country and will announce further details on how we will achieve this as soon as possible.
“We are investing over £650m in full fibre broadband until the end of 2021 and are committed to creating the right opportunities for investment as we speed up the roll-out of this technology.”