What is Openreach?
Openreach is the company that owns and maintains the UK's largest broadband network — the cables, cabinets, and exchanges that connect your home to the internet. Most broadband providers in the UK rely on the Openreach network to deliver their service to your door.
Openreach Key Facts
- ✓Network Owner: Openreach owns and maintains the largest broadband network in the UK, serving ~32 million premises.
- ✓Legally Separate from BT: Since 2017, Openreach operates as a legally separate company within BT Group, with its own board and management.
- ✓Wholesale Access: Openreach provides equal access to all broadband providers — BT gets no special treatment.
- ✓Full Fibre Rollout: Openreach is building FTTP (full fibre) to 25 million premises by December 2026.
- ✓Engineer Visits: If you need a broadband engineer, it is usually an Openreach engineer regardless of your provider.
- ✓Not a Retail Provider: You cannot buy broadband directly from Openreach — you must go through a retail provider like BT, Sky, or Plusnet.
How Openreach Fits Into Your Broadband
When you sign up with a broadband provider like Sky, Plusnet, or BT, the physical connection from the telephone exchange to your home is managed by Openreach. Your provider handles the billing, customer service, and internet routing — but the cables in the ground belong to Openreach.
This means if you need an engineer to install a new line, repair a fault, or upgrade to full fibre, an Openreach engineer will visit — even though you booked through your provider. The exception is providers with their own networks, like Virgin Media, who send their own engineers.
Since 2017, Openreach has been legally separated from BT to ensure fair and equal access for all providers. Ofcom regulates Openreach to prevent any single provider getting preferential treatment on the network.
Which Providers Use Openreach?
BT Broadband
Parent company is BT Group. Uses Openreach for all connections.
Sky Broadband
Uses Openreach network for FTTC and FTTP services.
Plusnet
BT Group subsidiary. Fully reliant on Openreach network.
TalkTalk
Uses Openreach for last-mile delivery to homes.
EE
BT Group brand. Uses Openreach for fixed broadband.
Vodafone
Uses Openreach and CityFibre networks.
Virgin Media
Own cable network (coax/FTTP). Independent of Openreach.
Hyperoptic
Own full fibre network in urban areas.
Fibrus
Own full fibre network in Northern Ireland and North West England.
Community Fibre
Own full fibre network in London.
Openreach Full Fibre Rollout
Openreach is undertaking the UK's largest infrastructure upgrade — replacing old copper telephone lines with full fibre (FTTP) connections. The target is 25 million premises by December 2026, with a long-term plan to retire the copper network entirely.
This rollout means many areas currently on FTTC (fibre to the cabinet, max ~70 Mbps) will be upgraded to FTTP, enabling speeds up to 1.8 Gbps. The upgrade is free for the premises — you just need to choose a provider offering FTTP and they'll arrange the installation.
You can check if Openreach full fibre is available at your address through any Openreach-based provider, or use the Openreach fibre checker directly. Many areas also have XGS-PON technology enabling even faster speeds in the future.
Openreach vs Alternative Networks
| Aspect | Openreach | Alternative Networks |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | 32 million premises (largest UK network) | Varies — typically 1-8 million each |
| Technology | FTTC (copper) + FTTP (full fibre) | Mostly FTTP-only (full fibre) |
| Max Speed | Up to 1.8 Gbps (FTTP) | Up to 10 Gbps (Hyperoptic, CityFibre) |
| Provider Choice | 30+ providers to choose from | Usually 1-5 providers per network |
| Rural Coverage | Good — government-subsidised rollout | Limited — mostly urban/suburban |
| Engineer | Openreach engineer for installs/faults | Network-own engineers |
How Openreach Affects Your Broadband
Engineer Visits
Openreach engineers handle installations, line faults, and FTTP upgrades for all Openreach-based providers.
Speed Availability
Your max speed depends on what Openreach infrastructure exists at your address — ADSL, FTTC, or FTTP.
Provider Choice
Because Openreach is shared, you can switch provider easily without changing the physical line.
Broadband Network Resources
Full Fibre Broadband Guide
Understanding BT's FTTP network and full fibre technology.
FTTC vs FTTP Explained
The difference between BT's fibre technologies.
What is BT Full Fibre?
FTTP technology explained with speed tiers and pricing.
BT Stay Fast Guarantee
How BT's speed guarantee works and how to claim.
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