Ofcom gets the green light for new Openreach broadband regulation
Ofcom has been given the green light to develop new regulation that will give telecoms firms more access to Openreach’s network in a bid to speed up the rollout of full-fibre broadband.
The regulator today said it has received approval from the European Commission to press ahead with its scheme, which is designed to boost competition and encourage companies to invest in full-fibre and 5G.
Read more: Ofcom rules BT’s Openrech must give rivals greater access to broadband network
Under current rules, Openreach must let rival companies use its telegraph poles and underground ducts to lay their own fibre networks.
But the measure is currently only available to companies focusing on residential and small business customers.
Openreach has previously resisted the new regulation, but the move will come as a boost to competitors such as Virgin Media, Talktalk and Cityfibre.
The new proposals will see the rules, which can cut the upfront cost of building full-fibre networks by roughly half, extended to firms serving large business.
Companies laying high-speed lines that support mobile and broadband networks will also be allowed to use Openreach’s network.
“Extending access to business networks will allow companies to use Openreach’s infrastructure for all telecoms services, improving the business case for them to invest in cutting-edge, full fibre and 5G networks,” Ofcom said.
Read more: Openreach calls on providers to set out plan for full-fibre rollout
Ofcom also laid out rules for so-called dark fibre. Under these measures, Openreach will be required to give competitors physical access to its fibre-optic cables in areas where there are no rival networks.
“Introducing dark fibre in only these areas will significantly reduce the cost for mobile and broadband operators to connect their networks, without undermining their incentives to lay new, competing fibre cables where it is economic to do so,” the regulator said.