Ofcom has issued a further short Consultation on plans for copper retirement. This is part of the Wholesale Fixed Telecoms Market Review, which will define the regulation of this market for the period 2021-2026.
The latest Ofcom Consultation follows Ofcom’s earlier consultation in June, proposing the removal of charge controls from Openreach’s copper products. Back in June Ofcom did not propose to allow Openreach to withdraw existing copper services during the market review period (i.e. not before 2026). The latest Consultation now proposes allowing Openreach to withdraw copper services earlier than this. Withdrawal would be permitted two years after Openreach gives notification that it has completed ultrafast coverage of an exchange area – such a notification could only be published when or after take up of copper services is less than 10% of relevant premises in a completed exchange.
You can submit your responses directly to Ofcom or via any telecoms industry associations that you may be a member of (such as the FCS which is proposing to submit a response on behalf of its members).
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations-and-statements/category-1/copper-retirement-process
Of course, please feel free to contact us, should you have any queries or require any assistance.