The communications regulator published its statement on the Wholesale Fixed Telecoms Market Review (WFTMR) that sets out how it will regulate telecom fixed access services for the five years from April 1, a major focus of which sets out how Ofcom will stimulate next generation FTTP broadband investment across the UK.

Based on its initial assessment, BT said the document is broadly in line with the expectations laid out at its Q3 2020/21 financial results and, when taken as a whole, will allow BT to earn a fair return on its c.£12 billion FTTP investment.

Philip Jansen, chief executive of BT Group, said: “This is good news for all fibre providers in the UK. For us, it is the greenlight we’ve been waiting for to get on and build like fury. Full fibre broadband will be the foundation of a strong BT for decades to come and a shot in the arm for the UK as we build back better from this pandemic. Connecting the country has never been more vital.”

Clive Selley, CEO, Openreach, said: “We’ve now passed almost 4.5 million premises and are building faster, at lower cost and higher quality than anyone else in the UK. Today’s regulation will allow us to ramp up to 3 million premises per year providing vital next generation connectivity for homes and business right across the UK.”

Further details of BT’s build plan will be announced once it has undertaken a full review of the WFTMR statement and has a better understanding of any further government support available to aid the industry’s roll-out of FTTP.