Millions of homes across the UK are set to be upgraded to faster, more reliable broadband, under new regulations announced by the UK broadcast and telecoms regulator Ofcom that will help shape the UK’s full-fibre future.

In a statement the Ofcom said last week the coronavirus pandemic has underlined the importance of a reliable internet connection. The UK’s copper telephone network – some of which was installed over 100 years ago – has helped deliver superfast broadband to 96 per cent of homes, with services improving in recent years, without customers needing to spend more.

“But as our demand for data continues to accelerate, the UK’s infrastructure urgently needs an upgrade. This will require significant private investment in full-fibre broadband, which is much faster and more reliable than the networks most people use today,” the regulator explained.

Following public consultation, Ofcom said, it has unveiled how it would regulate the sector in the UK for the next five years and beyond.

“Network competition has helped full fibre coverage increase at its fastest ever rate over the past year – and that momentum has continued throughout the pandemic. Our regulations build on this – driving competitive commercial investment and supporting the closure of the country’s 100-year-old copper network; while protecting consumers from high prices,” it said.

The regulator said it believes this will lead to properties in around 70 per cent of the UK having a choice of networks. Openreach has committed to rolling out full fibre to a further 3.2 million properties (10 per cent) in more rural areas. And, the government plans to cover the remaining 20 per cent of the country through public funding, to help make sure nobody gets left behind.

Openreach’s fastest fibre services will continue to be free from pricing regulation, since people can choose the entry-level service as an alternative, Ofcom said, adding the service provider can also charge a bit more for regulated products that are delivered over full fibre instead of copper, because full fibre is consistently faster, and much more reliable.

This approach encourages investment by providing BT and its rivals with a margin to build the new networks. It also helps make sure people can still access affordable broadband, the statement said.

Openreach, according to Wikipedia, is a functional division of telecommunications company BT plc. that maintains the telephone cables, ducts, cabinets and exchanges that connect nearly all homes and businesses in the United Kingdom to the national broadband and telephone networks.

The statement quoted Dame Melanie Dawes, Ofcom CEO as saying,

“Over the past year, being connected has never mattered more. But millions of homes are still using the copper lines that were first laid over 100 years ago. Now it’s time to ramp up the rollout of better broadband across the UK. We’re playing our part – setting the right conditions for companies to step up and invest in the country’s full-fibre future. This is a once-in-a-century chance to help make the UK a world-leading digital economy.