Ofcom has today published its latest monitoring report on Openreach’s independence.
Since 2018, Openreach has been legally separated from BT and Ofcom has imposed rules on the company designed to support competition and investment in faster networks. In that time, availability of full-fibre broadband in the UK has increased from 6% to more than 60%, and average speeds and data use have doubled.
The continued rapid rise of full fibre underlines the importance of our work to monitor Openreach and make sure it treats different communications providers fairly. We have been meeting with BT’s rivals to listen to their concerns and have not found sufficient evidence to open any new formal investigations over the last year.
During this period, we have seen evidence of efforts by BT Group to renew and refresh its engagement with the framework that underpins Openreach’s independence. This follows the appointment of a new CEO, Allison Kirkby, who served as a non-executive director on BT’s sub-committee charged with monitoring its compliance with the independence arrangements.
We will continue to meet regularly with BT’s rivals and are prepared to take enforcement action to hold BT and Openreach to account when necessary.