BT gets thumbs up to roll out new discount wholesale broadband charges

BT Openreach gets thumbs up for rolling out its competitively priced full-fibre broadband to providers

Watchdogs have given BT the thumbs up for rolling out new tariffs to broadband providers.

Telecoms regulator Ofcom found the media giant’s proposals to roll out its discounted wholesale full-fibre offering were not anti-competitive.

BT’s Openreach network arm, which operates the UK’s only national broadband network, came up with plans for a pricing agreement that would bring lower prices to wholesale customers such as Sky, Talk Talk and Vodafone.

New costs: BT’s network arm Openreach has proposed plans for a pricing agreement that would bring lower prices to wholesale customers such as Sky, Talk Talk and Vodafone

But this was only if they agreed to primarily use Openreach’s full-fiber products for new orders. The plans – dubbed Equinox 2 – were criticized by BT’s competitors such as Virgin Media O2.

An Ofcom spokesperson said they had considered the impact of the tariff plans on consumers, rival broadband providers and so-called altnets, which are new fiber builders.

Openreach has also pledged not to change pricing under the plans until at least March 31, 2026.

Katie Milligan, from Openreach, said: “It’s good news for the UK as it supports our continued multi-billion dollar investment in upgrading the broadband infrastructure”.

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