Openreach Increases Ethernet Exemption from UK Excess Construction Charges

Network operator Openreach (BT) has informed communication providers that, following Ofcom’s recent Telecoms Access Review 2026 (TAR), they’ve increased the exemption amount for Excess Construction Charges (ECC) on new Ethernet Access Direct (EAD) lines and Dark Fibre circuits (1-2 Access Link variants) from £2,800 to £3,680 ex. VAT.

Sadly, not all new installations are easy, and some builds can attract ECCs, particularly those that require the installation of a dedicated high-capacity Ethernet Access Direct (EAD) line that may require extra work to provide you with a service (e.g. running the fibre over a much longer distance than usual).

However, the use of an exemption means that many deployments don’t end up being faced with ECCs, unless there’s a lot of extra work involved. The latest change means that even more new service provisions should avoid running into ECCs too. The catch is that the operator will be increasing prices in other areas, such as in terms of service rentals and one-off connection fees, so it probably all balances out eventually. The briefing is here.