Original article ISPreview UK:Read More
Network operator Openreach (BT) has significantly extended their special offer for broadband ISPs, which discounts the charge on 10Gbps Cablelinks for their FTTP and FTTC lines (GEA), nationwide, to just £399 +vat when taken on Layer 2 Switches (L2S) older than 6 months.
Cablelink (Ethernet) products are how Openreach provide data capacity for their full fibre and other connections (i.e. the connection between their fibre headend and an ISP’s equipment). Suffice to say that any discount on this side may also feed down to impact the price consumers may pay for their service from an ISP (more likely for the biggest providers), so they’re worth keeping an eye on.
The current discount is available to ISPs irrespective of whether they’re already taking advantage of the “Equinox” offer for cheaper full fibre FTTP line rentals. But ISPs won’t be able to benefit from it if they’ve previously purchased a 10Gb Cablelink on the same L2S or the L2S is already at capacity.
The original offer was established back in 2024 and had been due to expire on 31st March 2026, but will now run until 30th September 2027. Further details can be found in the operator’s public briefing, although this is perhaps less about the discount and more about encouraging backhaul networks to expand their coverage across the FTTP estate.