Network access provider Openreach (BT) has made their “Proactive FTTP Upgrades” a standard process from ISPs. This will take effect from 1st October 2024 and should make it easier for UK broadband ISPs that want to migrate existing customers on slower copper-based ADSL, FTTC (VDSL2) and G.fast lines to faster full fibre (FTTP) ones.
A spokesperson for Openreach told ISPreview last year (here): “Proactive migrations arise where a Communications Provider proposes an upgrade to FTTP to its own ADSL/VDSL/GFast broadband customers, at the same time booking an appointment for an Openreach engineer to carry out the upgrade. The end customer is able to confirm, reject or select a different appointment.”
Openreach previously announced a special offer on 28th August 2023, which stated that the first appointment amendment and standard cancellation charges for FTTP orders would be rebated where the orders are part of Proactive FTTP Upgrades.
According to the new briefing, this special offer was due to expire on 30th September 2024, however “given the demand for proactive migrations to FTTP and the success of the process to date“, Openreach said they will instead make this a “standard process” for ISPs from 1st October 2024 (briefing). The charge for cancellation and/or first amend of appointment for FTTP will thus continue to be rebated quarterly for Proactive FTTP Upgrade orders.