Most customers in the UK are with a broadband company that depends on BT's Openreach to do essential maintenance and installation work.
So for example, if you have ever been with Bt Retail, Sky, Vodafone, TalkTalk, Plusnet or nearly any other, the service will have been delivered at the end point by Openreach.
Now Openreach has announced that they will no longer deliver new broadband connections of any kind where a home visit is required.
They say that they will now focus efforts on other ypes of 'essential work & maintenance'.
Work to switch customers between suppliers won't be carried out if it means that engineers need to enter someone's house or flat.
Special exceptions will be made for "vulnerable" users such as the elderly. Essential workers, such as those within the NHS may also be able to request an exemption if their work is deemed critical to the public good. Those who currently lack access to a broadband or telephone connection, may still be served.
In situations where an in-person visit is required, then engineers will be given additional protective equipment to reduce any risk of catching and spreading COVID-19.
Openreach says it will try to complete planned work when it does not involve entering properties. So a failure of a street cabinet affecting a number of homes would still be fixed.
In addition, some customers will be able to install the necessary home equipment themselves.
"A large amount of our work can be completed outside, and we can often fix problems without entering properties" explained an Openreach spokesperson.
"We're advising engineers not to complete any work inside a property unless it would leave a vulnerable customer with no connection, and it's not possible to provide one by any other method."
Priority will be given to key national infrastructure such as the NHS, pharmacies and food retailers and distributors, the firm added.
Telecoms engineers have been defined as 'key workers' by the UK government.
Ofcom sets required standards for completion of work and fault response times, which Openreach has to meet. But under exceptional circumstances the company is allowed to forego those obigations.
Virgin Media (which does not use Openreach's fibre) says its engineers and technicians are still making home visits.
Customers will receive a text asking them if they are self-isolating or exhibiting flu-like symptoms before their home visit. If the answer is 'yes', then the appointment will be delayed by two weeks. This means that some customers will be able to switch from BT, Sky, Plusnet or TalkTalk to Virgin Media, but not the other way round.
Pete has worked in the telecoms industry for 16 years - and launched this comparison service to provide a better deal to customers nationwide.
