Openreach to Introduce UK Geographic Connection Charges for EAD Ethernet Lines
Network access provider Openreach (BT) has today notified communication providers of their intention to introduce geographic connection charges on high-capacity Ethernet Access Direct (EAD) lines, which provide dedicated point-to-point data connectivity between sites for businesses, from 1st July 2026.
The move reflects a change introduced via Ofcom’s recent Telecoms Access Review 2026 (TAR), which has in turn prompted Openreach to introduce Geographic Area Codes (GAC) to support location-based pricing and billing. The change gives the operator the ability to geographically price EAD connections based on the delivery location (Area 2, Area 3, IEC [Inter-Exchange Connectivity], CLA [Central London Area] or HNR [High Network Reach]) – as defined by the regulator.
However, once the system is live on 1st July, there will be “no price change“, as all geographic connection charges will continue to align with the preceding national price. “This system capability will allow us to comply with our regulatory obligations and is in line with the Telecoms Access Review framework which was recently introduced,” said a spokesperson for Openreach to ISPreview.
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The change has no impact on EAD rental and main link charges, which will continue to be set on a national basis, at least until geographic-based rental pricing is introduced and formally notified. Further details can be found in the official briefing documents. But this does admittedly make EAD pricing even more complex than it was before, even if the hope is it should eventually ensure pricing is more reflective of competition when assessed at postcode or building level.
Mark is a professional technology writer, IT consultant and computer engineer from Dorset (England), he also founded ISPreview in 1999 and enjoys analysing the latest telecoms and broadband developments. Find me on X (Twitter), Mastodon, Facebook, BlueSky, Threads.net and Linkedin.
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