Telecommunications
Unlike other utilities the infrastructure for the UK’s telephone network is controlled by just one company, Openreach BT. Although Openreach is owned by the BT group of companies, it is operated independently of the BT company that provides telephone services directly to users.
As you are no doubt aware, there is a wide choice of telephone companies spread across the UK, providing telephone services as well as other communication applications such as broadband. Most of these companies, including Openreach, are in competition with other types of communication providers, but mainly cable, which in the UK is operated by Virgin Media.
Openreach has 21 ‘NewSites’ teams spread around the UK that handle applications from developers.
In most cases Openreach prefers to install overhead cabling where this method of installation already exists in the local area. Choosing the eventual telephone supplier can be left to the final occupants of the proposed properties.