07 June 2017

Chief executive Clive Selley says Openreach wants to work closely with CPs to explore how it should proceed.

The company, which provides broadband infrastructure to more than 580 CPs, will seek input on two major policy issues: building the investment case for a large-scale ‘full fibre’ network; and bringing faster speeds to ‘not-spots’ which can currently only order less than 10Mbps services.

Openreach has already stated its ambition to make ultrafast speeds of more than 100Mbps available to 12 million homes and businesses by the end of 2020.

However, the firm says it is keen to explore conditions which might allow it to invest in more full fibre infrastructure.

The consultation will look at the demand for FTTP, the potential benefits and costs of its larger scale deployment, and the enablers needed to support investment.

Openreach is currently in a scoping phase and anticipates launching a formal consultation in the summer.

The firm has also launched a consultation with CPs on the next steps for Long Reach VDSL. It claims this emerging broadband technology has been proven to increase broadband speeds over long phone lines connected to its fibre cabinets.

“Every communications provider in Britain can already access our national network on equal terms and conditions,” says chief executive Clive Selley. “I’m convinced that providing a mechanism to explore investment opportunities confidentially will lead to stronger relationships and more teamwork in addressing the major challenges we face as an industry.”