BT’s Openreach to offer lower wholesale rates to providers

Talks are reportedly taking place that could result in internet service providers being offered lower prices to use BT Group PLC’s Openreach network throughout the UK.

According to Bloomberg, which cited two sources close to the matter, BT’s proposals include a cut to line rental costs, the end of volume commitments for sellers and a lower amount being charged for transferring customers fibre optics from copper lines.

Currently, the likes of Vodaphone, TalkTalk and Sky use Openreach’s infrastructure.

In 2021, BT announced a £15bn investment to extend its fibre rollout to 80% of the UK by late 2026, but added it needed a strong uptake by consumers and internet service providers to support this.

To that end, the current talks seem to suggest BT is renewing efforts to keep operators interested with lower prices, which could ultimately benefit individual consumers too and increase uptake of its new fibre technology.

An Openreach spokesperson reportedly added that it is “in constant discussion with the retail providers about potential offers and options”, when speaking to Bloomberg.

Recently, BT and Openreach staff have taken part in industrial action, as part of a long-running dispute over pay, but the current talks suggest the company is focussing on increasing consumer uptake with the offer of lower prices. Bloomberg