Oh no, you're thinking, yet another cookie pop-up. Well, sorry, it's the law. We measure how many people read us, and ensure you see relevant ads, by storing cookies on your device. If you're cool with that, hit “Accept all Cookies”. For more info and to customize your settings, hit “Customize Settings”.

Review and manage your consent

Here's an overview of our use of cookies, similar technologies and how to manage them. You can also change your choices at any time, by hitting the “Your Consent Options” link on the site's footer.

Manage Cookie Preferences
  • These cookies are strictly necessary so that you can navigate the site as normal and use all features. Without these cookies we cannot provide you with the service that you expect.

  • These cookies are used to make advertising messages more relevant to you. They perform functions like preventing the same ad from continuously reappearing, ensuring that ads are properly displayed for advertisers, and in some cases selecting advertisements that are based on your interests.

  • These cookies collect information in aggregate form to help us understand how our websites are being used. They allow us to count visits and traffic sources so that we can measure and improve the performance of our sites. If people say no to these cookies, we do not know how many people have visited and we cannot monitor performance.

See also our Cookie policy and Privacy policy.

This article is more than 1 year old

BT agrees to legal separation of Openreach

'We have listened to criticism of our business,' says chief exec Gavin Patterson

Former UK state monopoly BT has finally agreed to regulator Ofcom's plans for a legal separation of its broadband division Openreach.

Under the agreement 32,000 staff will be transferred from BT to work directly for Openreach, with all BT brands to be removed from the network provider.

The decision follows a year-long dispute between BT and Ofcom over the terms under which Openreach ought to be separated. The deal means Ofcom will no longer have to go to Brussels to enforce a new structure.

In its release the regulator described the agreement as a conclusion to"the biggest reform of Openreach in its history".

Under the agreement Openreach – and its directors – will be legally required to make decisions in the interests of all Openreach’s customers, and to promote the success of the company. The Openreach Board will run the company.

It will be obliged to consult formally with customers such as Sky, TalkTalk and Vodafone on large-scale investments.

Sharon White, Ofcom chief executive, described the agreement as "significant". She said: "The new Openreach will be built to serve all its customers equally, working truly independently and taking investment decisions on behalf of the whole industry – not just BT.

“We welcome BT’s decision to make these reforms, which means they can be implemented much more quickly. We will carefully monitor how the new Openreach performs, while continuing our work to improve the quality of service offered by all telecoms companies.”

The reforms have been designed to begin this year.

Gavin Patterson, BT chief executive, said: “This has been a long and challenging review where we have been balancing a number of competing interests. We have listened to criticism of our business and as a result are willing to make fundamental changes to the way Openreach will work in the future.”

He said the agreement will act to serve the long-term interests of millions of UK households, businesses and service providers that rely on our infrastructure. "It will also end a period of uncertainty for our people and support further investment in the UK’s digital infrastructure." ®

Similar topics

Similar topics

Similar topics

TIP US OFF

Send us news


Other stories you might like