Ofcom backs broadband competition to expand full-fibre coverage

The UK regulator suggests keeping high-speed broadband prices unregulated until 2031 while ensuring affordability for users on copper-fibre connections up to 80Mbit/s.
In rural areas where commercial broadband expansion is less viable, Ofcom plans to support Openreach in building full-fibre networks to improve connectivity.

Britain should maintain competition in the broadband market to boost full-fibre coverage to 96% of premises by 2027 while capping prices on slower-speed services, UK telecoms regulator Ofcom announced on Thursday.

The cap would limit what BT’s Openreach can charge for connections up to 80Mbit/s, an increase from the current 40Mbit/s limit.

Ofcom’s previous measures, including encouraging new providers to use Openreach’s infrastructure, have helped increase full-fibre coverage from under 25% to nearly 70% of homes.

It now proposes keeping high-speed broadband prices free from regulation until 2031 while ensuring affordability for those relying on older copper-fibre connections.

In rural areas where commercial networks are less viable, Ofcom plans to support Openreach in expanding full-fibre access. The regulator’s consultation on these proposals will run until June 12, with final decisions expected in March 2026. BT shares rose 0.5% following the announcement.

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