Dropping the price of full fibre broadband to developers by 75 per cent

We’re reducing the price charged to developers for our future-proof Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) technology by 75 per cent. This means tens of thousands more new-build homes could be in line for a broadband boost. FTTP provides a faster, more stable service that’s ideal for families, home workers and small businesses.

Cutting the cost of new technology

The new pricing means UK house builders will pay just a fraction of the current costs if they ask Openreach to build faster, more reliable FTTP technology to their new homes on small-scale developments – those with fewer than 30 premises.

Helping the Government

The launch of the new scheme on 1 November comes as the Government plans to consult with developers and network infrastructure providers across the UK this autumn – with the intention of making full fibre broadband infrastructure mandatory for all new build sites.

The new low-cost initiative builds on Openreach’s existing offer to install FTTP free of charge to all new housing developments of 30 or more homes. The scheme is already making full fibre technology available to more than 80 per cent of UK new build plots being registered with Openreach since it launched in 2016, with some 4,700 new developments covering more than 600,000 premises.

Minister for Digital Margot James said: “We’re building a Britain that's fit for the future, and recently announced our plans for a national full fibre broadband network. Ensuring all new developments, large or small, can access full fibre technology will be instrumental in delivering this, and we welcome Openreach’s plans to reduce costs to developers by 75 per cent.”

Broadband can make or break a house sale

According to a recent London School of Economics study of British homebuyers, a good broadband connection now tops off-street parking and access to local amenities as one of the vital deciding factors for people buying a new house. The study also finds that one in ten buyers have walked away from properties with poor internet connections and that broadband is generally connected even before gas. Home owners in London are willing to pay up to 3 per cent above the market price for properties in areas offering very fast broadband speeds.

Investing in the future

Providing full fibre to new homes is an important part of our commitment to invest in faster, more reliable broadband technology through our new Fibre First strategy. We’re aiming to roll out full fibre broadband to three million households by the end of 2020/21, and want to reach 10 million by the middle of the next decade if the right conditions are in place.