Cheaper full fibre on the way as Ofcom approves Openreach discount
The telecoms regulator Ofcom has given the green light to a new Openreach broadband discount, rejecting calls from rival networks to block the deal.
The move means broadband providers like BT, Sky and Vodafone can offer cheaper full fibre upgrades to customers – a potential win for households looking for faster speeds at lower prices.
What’s the deal about?
Openreach – the BT-owned company that builds and runs much of the UK’s broadband network – plans to launch a special discount scheme from 10 October 2025 to April 2026.
Under the deal, broadband providers will be able to upgrade customers from slower copper lines to full fibre while paying the lower 80/20 Mbps rental rate, normally reserved for slower services.
That means ISPs could offer better speeds for similar or lower monthly prices – at least while the offer lasts.
Why some providers wanted it stopped
A number of smaller alternative networks (known as altnets) had asked Ofcom to block or delay the deal.
They argued that Openreach’s discounts were too deep, making it hard for newer, smaller fibre networks to compete while they’re still expanding. Some also warned the offer could lock in customers with big ISPs before new local networks become available.
What Ofcom said
Ofcom has decided not to step in, saying it found no immediate reason to believe the deal would harm competition.
“We do not at this point in time have concerns that would lead us to investigate the offer further,” the regulator said.
It added that even after the discount, Openreach’s full fibre prices remain above cost levels for a typical efficient operator, meaning the offer isn’t viewed as anti-competitive.
Ofcom also pointed out that the discount applies only to specific customer upgrades initiated by broadband providers – not to every new fibre installation.
Will broadband prices fall?
In the short term, the move could lead to more affordable fibre deals for customers – particularly those switching from older copper-based packages.
However, rival networks have warned that if Openreach dominates too much of the market, it could limit choice in the long run by squeezing out smaller fibre builders.
Ofcom says it will monitor the impact closely, gathering data on prices and provider behaviour, and can intervene quickly if the offer starts to harm competition.
What happens next
The discount runs until April 2026, and Ofcom will consider its effects when finalising new telecoms pricing rules for 2026–2031, which are expected to be published in March 2026.
For now, the decision could be good news for anyone looking to upgrade to faster broadband – with more ISPs likely to push full fibre deals at competitive prices in the months ahead.
