Openreach Blocking Copper Broadband at UK New Build Sites

A clash between a property developer and Openreach (BT) in Buckinghamshire has confirmed that the UK network provider is “not fitting copper anymore to any larger sized developments” (defined as anything above 30 plots / homes passed). The move reflects the industry’s growing focus on “full fibre“.

For the purpose of this article we aren’t going to name the developer. The situation came to our attention after a property developer got in touch to express their “dismay” at Openreach’s refusal to connect copper at two sites (both Multi-Dwelling Unit builds of a little over 30 plots), which are in the late stages of build and all the interiors have been fitted copper only.

Openreach have been pushing 1Gbps capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) technology for new build developments since around 2016 (see here and here) and they’ve introduced various discounts to support this. Indeed sites with 30+ plots can get the work done for free, provided the developer notifies them early enough (retrofitting fibre at a later stage of the build is more expensive).

All of this is in line with the Government’s policy toward fostering “gigabit-capable and full fibre broadband,” although for the past few years they’ve been encouraging developers to factor faster connectivity in during the planning stages. Likewise Ofcom are even in the process of consulting on the eventual withdrawal of copper services in areas where full fibre dominates (here).

Since the end of 2016 – Broadband Cost Reduction Directive (2014/61/EU) – it has also been a requirement that all new developments must be built to facilitate “high-speed broadband” (e.g. empty fibre ducts to homes). The Government are also aiming to mandate gigabit-capable broadband for new builds (here). Due to all of this it’s unwise for new build firms to be adopting a copper mindset.

Back to the new build developer..

In the aforementioned case the situation is a little more complicated. The developer claims that their first application was for a “fibre” service, although following an initial site visit it was agreed to go with a copper solution and subsequently all correspondence with Openreach was based around that. As such the developer proceeded to build copper everywhere.

On the flip side Openreach generally asks developers to notify them at least 8 weeks before Site Start Date and / or 6 months to the First Service Date (Virgin Media gives similar guidance to developers). This is to ensure they have the necessary lead time to build the main fibre ‘spine’ cable in the off-site public highway (sometimes requires lengthy noticing periods) and to do the on-site work with minimum fuss (internal wiring etc.).

However as we understand it the developer may have only given Openreach around 6-9 weeks’ notice prior to the First Service Date and, given the limited time, this left the operator with little choice but to agree a copper solution. But since April 2019 Openreach has confirmed that they’ve begun adopting a different approach and are now refusing to fit copper to sites with 30+ plots. Instead such developers are given three options.

The Three Options

1. Install the correct fibre internals.

2. Arrange to overlay the copper internals with contractors fitting a discreet product called InvisiLight, which would be paid for by the developer. The cost would be around £150 per plot (subject to survey – it may come in at a little more or less than that).

3. Use a different service provider who may be willing to use the copper, or have a different solution.

Obviously, once copper is installed on-site, developers are often very reluctant to retro fit fibre and interfere with the final interior finish to the plots (more work and cost). The discreet InvisiLight solution is one way around this but it does mean running fibre down walls and alongside skirting boards, which could expose it to a greater risk of accidental damage in the future. We believe the approach is similar to this video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfxjXz6-1H4

At the end of the day if Openreach were to continue rewarding late registrations with a Copper outcome then they might never stop installing it. Likewise any 30+ new build sites getting copper today would still only end up needing to upgrade to FTTP in the near future. The fact is that both policy, regulation and network operators have spent the past few years moving toward a “full fibre” future and most property developers have already adapted to that.

Openreach informs that they are still in negotiation with the property developer concerned. Just to put this into some context, only a tiny fraction of the 30+ sites that they have contracted this year (likely less than 1%) are in the same boat. Still we do appreciate the developer’s position on this one too, particularly after having reached a prior agreement to do copper, spending the money, and to then be told that copper won’t be done after all.