Openreach: The UK’s Biggest Broadband Network
When comparing broadband options, you might have noticed some companies described as Openreach suppliers, or using the Openreach network.
That means they use the infrastructure of the UK’s biggest broadband network. What’s not obvious is what that means for customers. Should you choose an Openreach supplier, and what are your alternatives?
The UK’s biggest broadband network
Openreach has grown out of what was once the UK’s landline phone network. Originally, DSL broadband was delivered via the same copper cabling as phone calls. This network was owned and operated by BT (British Telecoms).
In 2005, Ofcom – the UK regulator for telecoms – determined that the infrastructure should be managed by a new, independent organisation. Openreach was founded and tasked with maintaining and improving the UK’s broadband access.
Over time, Openreach upgraded its network, replacing the copper phone cabling with fibre-optic cables. These fibre connections either ran as far as shared cabinets in the street (Fibre-to-the-cabinet or FTTC) or all the way into people’s homes (Fibre-to-the-premises, FTTP or Full Fibre). Today, you no longer need a landline phone connection to access broadband internet.
Openreach broadband is available to 99% of homes and businesses in the UK. Not only that, but more than 20 million homes have access to Full Fibre broadband via the Openreach network.
Top tip! Don’t know your FTTP from your Mbps? Use our broadband jargon buster to decode your bill.
Which broadband suppliers use the Openreach network?
Openreach manages and maintains a huge network, but it doesn’t actually supply broadband to customers. That’s the job of the more than 650 suppliers that use the Openreach network to provide their internet services.
Among them are some of the biggest names in UK broadband, including:
- EE and BT, which have joined into a single company
- Sky Broadband
- Now Broadband
- TalkTalk
- Vodafone
- Plusnet
- Zen Broadband
- Pop Telecom
- Earth Broadband
- Rebel Broadband
… and many more!
Pros and Cons of the Openreach network
There are both advantages and disadvantages of using an Openreach broadband provider.
Pros of Openreach broadband
- Widespread coverage across 99% of the UK means there’s a strong chance it’s available in your home
- Multiple providers on the same network give you different options for suppliers
- Cancelling your broadband package and switching to another Openreach provider is simple, with no installation necessary
- The network was ranked as the UK’s most reliable broadband technology by Ofcom
- Openreach’s full fibre connections are among the fastest in the UK
Cons of Openreach broadband
- Many properties are still limited to ADSL or FTTP speeds
- Switching to a different network can be tricky, with gaps in service of two weeks or more, and a physical installation in your home sometimes required
- Major broadband suppliers may not be as competitively priced as independent companies
- Network outages, upgrades and installations are handled by Openreach’s engineers, not your supplier, which can lead to delays or difficulty getting support
- Openreach cabinets have a finite number of slots for connections – once they’re all full, no new homes in that area can join the network
What are the alternatives to Openreach broadband?
There are a number of alternative options available for customers who don’t want to use the Openreach network.
The largest alternative network in the UK is Virgin Media’s private network. Virgin Media is available in around 60% of homes in the UK. If your home has not been connected to the network previously, an engineer will need to drill a hole in an external wall to feed the cabling into your home. Once you’re connected, Virgin Media offers all-fibre broadband to its customers.
Another option is a smaller broadband network. The number of indie broadband suppliers in the UK has skyrocketed in recent years, with many new networks being rolled out in historically underserved areas.
If you want to avoid the restraints of wired broadband altogether, mobile broadband offers a convenient alternative. Using the 4G and 5G mobile network, these suppliers bring fibre equivalent speeds to homes with no installation necessary – perfect for those without access to fibre broadband or who are looking for fast and convenient internet access.
How to find the best broadband in your area
With so many options, it can be hard to know which company offers the best broadband in your area. Checking every available network can take hours of legwork, and you might still miss an independent supplier that would be the fastest and cheapest choice for you.
Our Connections Experts use years of experience and access to databases of suppliers across Britain to compare all your options and find the perfect supplier for you. We’re independent, so you can trust our recommendations are based on what’s important to you rather than a parent company.
Book a free call today to find the perfect broadband for your home.
