Openreach slashes broadband cost for small-scale developers

Openreach has announced a 75% discount on full-fibre broadband for housebuilders with small developments. The company will offer discounts on schemes with fewer than 30 homes from 1 November. The move comes amid government plans to make full-fibre broadband connections mandatory for new-builds. According to the government, the UK has 4% full fibre connections, compared with 71% in Spain and 89% in Portugal. Developers and landowners have been accused of limiting widespread connectivity. Openreach estimates that more than 40,000 new homes across 5,000 developments could benefit from the deal, which builds on its recent announcements to install FTTP (fibre-to-the-premises) free of charge for schemes of 30 or more homes. The 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%.” To send feedback, e-mail emma.rosser@egi.co.uk or tweet @EmmaARosser or @estatesgazette