OFCOM OK Openreach FTTC

11 Jun 2009 | 17.07 Europe/London

Communications regulator OFCOM has given BT Openreach the green light to operate active electronics in its access network. This will allow Openreach to operate fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) systems with roadside electronics used to deliver "up to 40 Meg" services over the reduced length copper loop.

Previously Openreach were barred from operating active systems, with that role falling to BT Wholesale. With this change the Generic Ethernet Access (GEA) product can be used to give ISPs competitive access to end users over Openreach systems, rather than looking to unbundle loops at the street cabinet in competition with other operators.

[ OFCOM ]