In the light of the latest government lockdown restrictions, Openreach (who manages the telephone cables, ducts, cabinets and exchanges that connect nearly all homes and businesses in the United Kingdom), has provided us with an important update on service provision.

The provision of critical national infrastructure is key to keeping the UK connected and for that reason, our industry workers are classified as key workers. The Government is clear that, as a result, Openreach personnel can continue to go into homes and businesses to undertake essential work.

Openreach has taken the action to limit their engineers’ time in homes and businesses and delay non-urgent provision work – e.g. some broadband upgrades to ultrafast. These changes have been put in place until further notice.

The changes differ for businesses and consumer premises. For Ethernet and business connectivity:

• Where essential businesses remain open (and CPs can give safe access to the end customer premises), Openreach will provide Ethernet service end-to-end, while following safe working practices to complete the work
• Where Openreach cannot gain safe building access, or follow their safe working practices, then external build to the curtilage will continue
• Engineers will not carry out some internal survey and network builds

Openreach engineers will continue to carry out a personal risk assessment and maintain the current safety guidelines.

We will continue to update you as we learn more.

Please do not hesitate to contact 03456 200 200 or info@2circles.com should you require any information on your account.