Fixing on the future – the end of ADSL

In January 2027, the UK’s antiquated copper-based ADSL communications network will be powered down permanently, with all landlines and internet connections running on fibre-optic broadband thereafter. While bringing faster, more reliable internet, this transition will demand proactive preparations from BTR housing providers to prevent disruption to important facilities such as resident internet access, BMS technology, security systems and utility meters.

Who’s affected?

Buildings over a decade old are more likely to depend on copper wiring, whereas newer developments are typically already equipped with full fibre broadband. Even so, they may lack the consistent and reliable infrastructure needed for essential services if they also rely on wireless solutions.

In the case of developments with heat networks, this is particularly important because of an imminent bolstering of regulations designed to improve protection, fairness and charging transparency for heat network residents. Any data transmission failure could disrupt metering, billing and performance monitoring. This might lead to charging inaccuracies and/or higher energy costs and emissions, potentially incurring fines – or worse – from Ofgem.

Hardwired approach

To avoid all these types of problems and guarantee seamless and reliable data communication, a dedicated, hardwired Fixed Internet Connection (FIC) is the best option. Unlike shared or wireless connections, FICs offer uninterrupted service, unaffected by changes in signal strength. They also provide significantly faster speeds, lower latency, greater stability, and higher security than WiFi.

The most reliable and cost-effective FIC solution is Full Fibre to the Premises (FTTP), which connects a fibre router directly to the building’s Optical Network Termination (ONT) device. Faster and more stable than copper, FTTP outperforms alternatives like Hyperoptic or Local Area Networks (LANs), which are generally less robust.

For maximum reliability, the FIC should incorporate a failover 4G multinet roaming SIM and static IP address to prevent interruptions whenever a new device connects to the network.

Internal upgrades
As well as an external FTTP connection, older properties may require the replacement of legacy copper networks within the site. This can be costly and complex due to the need to disrupt fire-stopping materials. However, if ADSL is currently being used, it must happen before 2027.

Placing data-collection devices close to the ONT can help reduce the modifications needed. But in any event, it’s much better to find out what’s needed now than wait until the last minute to carry out complex works.

What to do now

• Check your portfolio to see which properties already have full-fibre broadband (as indicated on contracts and bills).
• Where necessary, request new FTTP connections from your ISP. If you have a metering & billing provider, check if they can do this for less via an ISP broker.
• If FTTP was installed when the property was built, ensure account ownership is transferred away from the developer.
• Consider handing over management of your dedicated heat network FIC to your metering & billing provider so they can ensure correct payment, with costs recovered via residents’ utility tariffs. They should be able to fix faults much faster than an ISP, too.
• Don’t delay. Like most housing-related projects, the process of fitting compliant FICs is far smoother, quicker and more efficient when done in a considered way.

Adam Newman, Head of Technical at Insite Energy