Openreach Remove ADSL and FTTC from Broadband Checker in UK FTTP Areas

Some of ISPreview’s readers have spotted that the broadband availability checker on Openreach’s UK site has stopped displaying results for older ADSL and FTTC (VDSL2 / SOGEA) technologies, albeit only in areas that now have access to full fibre (FTTP) lines. This occurs even if the older services aren’t yet on a “stop sell” due to existing switch-off programmes.

The move makes sense as it aligns with Openreach’s overarching move toward the gradual retirement of legacy copper-based broadband services and the desire to push everybody over to full fibre networks once they become available. This will help to ease the pressure on the operator as copper-to-fibre migrations become more urgent.

The downside is that this may lead to some consumer confusion about what is and is not available at their property (e.g. FTTC may still be available, even if FTTP is present). Not to mention that local FTTP availability doesn’t always translate to a deliverable service, due to issues with local pole capacity and problems/obstructions when reaching specific properties. In the latter sense, having knowledge that an alternative still exists would be helpful, especially if there are no other gigabit-capable broadband options in the area.

Consumers can of course still conduct checks using the BT Wholesale Checker and some retail ISPs do show all of the available product options, even in FTTP enabled areas on Openreach’s network. But we should point out that quite a few ISPs – particularly larger players – have already transitioned their own checkers to an FTTP-only focus.

Credits to ‘Some Edinburgh Guy‘ on our forum for noticing the change (here).