Openreach, the UK’s telecom infrastructure arm of BT Group, is implementing a series of price increases on legacy copper-based products as part of efforts to accelerate the retirement of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). With the full switch-off of copper lines scheduled for January 31, 2027, the company is stepping up pressure on communication providers and customers to migrate to digital alternatives such as full-fibre broadband.

Under the pricing plan, charges for several copper line services — particularly Wholesale Line Rental (WLR) products — will rise significantly throughout 2026. Prices are set to increase by 20 % in April, followed by 40 % hikes in July and October, effectively doubling the cost of legacy services ahead of the PSTN shutdown. Openreach frames these increases as a push to encourage faster adoption of modern fibre and IP-based technology.

The price changes are intended to speed up migration away from outdated copper infrastructure, which is costly to maintain and no longer fit for meeting modern connectivity needs. Industry insiders say the hikes send a clear message to service providers: accelerate customer upgrades to digital voice and fibre broadband services before legacy products become uneconomic.

Officials also warn that many businesses and consumers are still dependent on copper lines, despite the looming deadline. Industry estimates suggest more than half a million commercial lines have yet to transition away from copper, even as the network faces eventual decommissioning. The increased pricing is part of a broader strategy to avoid last-minute migration bottlenecks and ensure smooth digital transitions.

In conclusion, Openreach’s pricing push highlights the broader shift in the UK telecoms landscape from copper to digital fibre networks. While legacy services have served households and businesses for decades, the transition is aimed at delivering faster, more reliable, and future-ready connectivity — even if the rising costs of old technology make the change more urgent for users and providers alike.