By Emma Lewis, bOnline
Ofcom has now unveiled new proposals designed to increase competition and investment in full-fibre broadband. In fact, according to industry data it has the potential to bring this service to 96% of homes and businesses within the next two years.
The Background
Only four years ago, fewer than one in four homes and offices in the UK had access to full-fibre broadband. In response, Ofcom launched a new regulatory framework in 2021 to speed up the rollout.
This approach encouraged existing networks to invest and made it easier and more affordable for new companies to enter the market by sharing Openreach’s ducts and telegraph poles. As a result, the UK now has one of the fastest full-fibre broadband rollouts in Europe, with industry investment ranging between £3bn and £6bn every year.
Today, nearly seven in 10 premises (69% or 20.7 million) have access to full fibre, and gigabit-capable network coverage has risen from 11.6 million premises (40%) in 2021 to 25 million (83%) in 2024.
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Regulating Enhance Investment and Competition Further
To carry on this momentum and support even more widespread coverage, Ofcom proposes a new regulatory approach for the wholesale broadband market from 2026-2031 as part of the Telecoms Access Review. This consultation is the first stage in delivering on one of Ofcom’s five commitments under the Government’s Regulation Action Plan, which was announced in early March 2025.
Building on their 2021 regulations, Ofcom says that the proposed framework aims to provide stability and clarity for the market, encourage fair and sustainable competition, and helping to ensure full-fibre broadband becomes available in even more UK towns, villages, and cities.
Consultation
The consultation on these proposals is open until the 12th June 2025 with final decisions to be published in March 2026, before the current rules expire at the end of that month.
