The Telecoms Access Review is the UK’s defining digital infrastructure decision and government must get the balance right

The UK stands at a decisive moment for its digital infrastructure. After more than a decade of heavy investment and rapid fibre rollout, the question is no longer whether the UK can build next-generation networks, it is whether it can create the right regulatory environment to sustain investment, deliver universal coverage, and unlock the next wave of digital growth.

At the centre of this moment is Ofcom’s Telecoms Access Review (TAR) 2026–2031, which will set the rules governing fixed telecoms markets from April 2026 through to March 2031. While technical in nature, its implications are profound: the review will shape how billions of pounds of capital are deployed, how competition evolves, and whether the UK can fully realise the economic benefits of its digital infrastructure.

This is not just another regulatory cycle. It is a defining policy decision that will determine whether the UK transitions successfully from a period of rapid network build to one of sustainable growth and innovation.

The UK is approaching the end of the fibre build era and the beginning of a new phase

The review arrives at a critical inflection point. Gigabit-capable broadband now reaches roughly 85–90% of UK premises, and the government is targeting around 99% coverage by the early 2030s. Meanwhile, the industry is approaching the final phase of fibre rollout, preparing for the switch-off of copper networks by January 2027, and responding to surging demand for high-capacity connectivity driven by cloud, AI, and digital services.

Tens of billions of pounds of private capital have already been deployed into UK fibre infrastructure. But the next phase extending coverage to harder-to-reach areas, improving network resilience, and enabling new services will require sustained investor confidence.

The Telecoms Access Review will determine whether that confidence holds.

A complex regulatory process with far-reaching consequences

Led by Ofcom, the review has followed a multi-year process beginning with evidence gathering in 2024, followed by a major consultation in March 2025 and further targeted consultations through late 2025 and early 2026. Final decisions are expected in March 2026, with the framework coming into force in April 2026.

The review covers wholesale markets that underpin the entire connectivity ecosystem, including physical infrastructure access, wholesale broadband markets, leased lines, and core network connectivity. Decisions across these areas will ripple across the sector, influencing everything from fibre rollout economics to enterprise connectivity pricing and mobile network performance.

The central policy challenge: balancing investment and competition

At its core, the Telecoms Access Review is about managing a delicate trade-off. The UK must maintain competitive markets while preserving strong incentives for long-term infrastructure investment.

This balance is becoming harder to strike. As the market matures, returns on new fibre build are becoming more uncertain, particularly in rural and less densely populated areas. At the same time, the market has seen rapid entry by alternative network providers, many of which now face financial pressure as capital costs rise and growth slows.

The risk is clear: regulation that leans too heavily towards price control or short-term competition could undermine investment just as the UK enters the most challenging phase of deployment.

Why the review will shape the wider telecoms ecosystem

The Telecoms Access Review is often framed as a fixed broadband regulatory exercise, but its impact extends far beyond that.

It will determine the pace of progress towards nationwide gigabit connectivity, influence the success of the copper switch-off, and shape the economics of fibre backhaul required for standalone 5G deployment. In doing so, it will affect everything from smart infrastructure to industrial digitalisation.

It will also shape consolidation across the alternative network sector. The UK is likely to see fewer, larger infrastructure players emerge over the next decade, and regulatory certainty will determine whether this consolidation strengthens or weakens competition.

Ultimately, the review will influence retail pricing and affordability, shaping digital inclusion outcomes across the country.

The opportunity: creating a world-leading investment environment

If calibrated correctly, the Telecoms Access Review presents a major opportunity for the UK to reinforce its position as one of the most attractive digital infrastructure investment markets globally.

Regulatory certainty through 2031 could unlock continued private investment in network expansion, upgrades, and new services. The shift from network build to network monetisation also creates opportunities in enterprise connectivity, edge computing, private networks, and smart infrastructure.

The UK has the potential to move beyond infrastructure deployment and position itself as a leader in digital infrastructure services but only if the regulatory framework supports innovation and long-term investment.

Where government must be bold and where it must be cautious

The government and regulator must recognise that the UK is entering a fundamentally different market phase. Policy designed for a period of rapid competition and network entry may not be appropriate for a more mature market focused on sustainability and returns.

There are several areas where policy decisions will be critical.

First, regulation must avoid undermining investment incentives. The final phase of fibre rollout is inherently more expensive, and overly aggressive price controls risk slowing deployment precisely where connectivity gaps remain.

Second, policymakers should accept that some consolidation among alternative network providers is inevitable and, if managed correctly, can strengthen the market. The goal should not be to preserve the maximum number of operators but to ensure sustainable competition and resilient infrastructure.

Third, affordability policies must be targeted and proportionate. Protecting vulnerable consumers is essential, but blunt pricing interventions risk distorting market incentives.

Fourth, the framework must remain flexible. Telecoms is increasingly converging with cloud, data infrastructure, and digital platforms, and regulation must be able to adapt to technological change.

Finally, policy alignment is essential. Decisions within the Telecoms Access Review must complement planning reform, spectrum strategy, cybersecurity policy, and digital inclusion initiatives to ensure a coherent investment environment.

Policy recommendations for the next regulatory period

To maximise the benefits of the review, policymakers should focus on five priorities.

The first is to prioritise investment certainty by maintaining a stable and predictable regulatory framework that supports long-term capital allocation.

The second is to adopt a pro-investment approach to pricing, allowing sufficient pricing flexibility for fibre networks while ensuring targeted protections for vulnerable consumers.

Third, government should actively support market consolidation where it strengthens long-term competition and network resilience.

Fourth, policymakers should accelerate measures that reduce deployment costs, including planning reform and streamlined infrastructure access processes.

Finally, the review should be used as a platform to support innovation by encouraging new wholesale models and enabling investment in next-generation digital infrastructure services.

A once-in-a-decade opportunity to set the direction of the market

The Telecoms Access Review is more than a regulatory exercise it is a strategic decision about the future of the UK’s digital economy.

If the framework strikes the right balance, the UK can move confidently into the next phase of its digital infrastructure journey, characterised by universal connectivity, strong competition, and continued private investment.

If it gets the balance wrong, the risk is slower deployment, reduced investment, and missed opportunities to capitalise on the economic potential of next-generation networks.

The decisions taken in this review will shape the UK telecoms landscape through to 2031 and beyond. Policymakers should treat it accordingly, not simply as a technical consultation, but as a cornerstone of the country’s long-term growth strategy.