• Ofcom will allow Openreach to meet the second copper-retirement threshold at 90% ultrafast coverage from April 2029, down from 100%
  • Copper price controls will remain at premises where Openreach full fibre is unavailable, so the change does not amount to a nationwide switch-off

The fact

Ofcom has changed the conditions under which price controls on Openreach's wholesale copper broadband services can be removed as the UK moves towards full fibre. From 1 April 2029, Openreach will be allowed to exclude up to 10% of premises when meeting the second threshold of Ofcom's copper-retirement framework. In practice, that means an exchange area can qualify once ultrafast coverage reaches at least 90%, provided the other conditions and notice periods are also met.

The change does not remove price protection from every copper line in a qualifying exchange. Where Openreach full fibre is available to a premises, the copper charge control can be removed. Where full fibre is not available, the existing copper protection remains. The second threshold is separate from the earlier 75% threshold that allows Openreach to stop selling new copper services at fibre-ready premises. The two rules cover different stages of the move away from copper.

The assessment

From April 2029, broadband providers will no longer be able to assume that copper price controls stay in place until an exchange reaches full coverage. Once an area passes the new threshold and the other conditions are met, copper lines at premises that can already get Openreach full fibre may face different wholesale pricing.

For providers, that makes migration more local. They need to know which customers can already move to fibre, which cannot, and when each line may be affected. An exchange reaching 90% coverage does not mean every address in it is ready to leave copper. For BTW readers, the change brings pricing pressure forward for fibre-ready premises while keeping protection for those that still lack full fibre. The practical job for providers is therefore to manage the move address by address, rather than work towards a single national copper switch-off date.

What to watch

Watch which exchange areas Openreach puts forward after April 2029 and the notices issued before copper price controls are removed. Retail providers' migration offers will show how the new rule affects customers that can already move to fibre, while premises without full-fibre access remain protected.