The number of LLU lines in the UK is close to the four million barrier, reflecting the popularity of direct broadband within the UK

A recent report from the Office of The Telecoms Adjudicator has shown that as of the end of January of this year there were 3,931,000 LLU lines that have been connected across the UK. This figure, which is just short of the four million barrier, reflects the popularity of direct line broadband in the UK, and reflects the connection of around two million new lines within the space of a year.

An increasing number of broadband providers are now providing broadband direct rather than through BT equipment. The Office of The Telecoms Adjudicator confirmed that demand appears to remain strong. The report also shows that there are 4.56 million WLR lines, and that CPs are continuing to implement their network strategies.
In its report the Office of The Telecoms Adjudicator congratulated Openreach. The report read: ‘ It seems appropriate to begin this update by congratulating Openreach on the extremely successful deployment of the R700 software upgrade to the EMP platform, which took place over the weekend of 19th January. This was the largest and most complex release Openreach have undertaken to date and included a number of usability and efficiency improvements, which will help improve performance and the CP experience across both WLR and LLU products.’
However, it also read: ‘However, the very good news on R700 has been rather dampened by the disappointing news that further improvements to the migrations process we were promised in the next software build, R800 which is due in April 08, have been deferred by Openreach. We have no firm commitment as to when this important capability will be delivered and whilst it is difficult to quantify the full impact on the home mover process, it delays the point at which the migrations process becomes more efficient.’