BTOpenreach, which manages access to BT's local and national UK telecoms network, has announced a new scheme that aims to encourage the uptake of 2nd copper phone lines by offering a £50 incentive payment for each one that an ISP can sign-up and retain.

The offer, which applies to both fully unbundled ( LLU ) and WLR Analogue (Basic and Premium) telephone lines, would run for three months from 10th April 2012 to 9th July 2012 (inclusive). ISPs will only be eligible for the incentive payment if the 2nd line is ordered at premises that have either no working Openreach line or a single working one at the time of order.


Most homes and even many business users probably won't need a 2nd telephone line or will already have one if they do. It can open a window to faster bonded broadband speeds (e.g. when two broadband lines are linked together) as well as other benefits, although for most people the costs tend to make this unattractive.

However, Openreach's offer cannot proceed, unless Ofcom agrees a waiver to reduce the standard price notification period. Ofcom are very likely to grant this, much as they've done with past promotions, and Openreach has hinted that the offer could thus run earlier; depending upon how long it takes the regulator to decide.

It will be interesting to see whether or not any ISPs use BT's promotion to launch their own special '2nd line' offers to entice consumers and businesses.