29/04/2024    

For action

This briefing is for all Communications Providers (CPs).

This briefing is to notify CPs of an amendment to the ‘Special Offer Equinox Offer Contract Amendment’ relating to migrations from WLR. The changes proposed are to: (i) include migrations from WLR to SOTAP for Analogue in the ‘Legacy Regrades’ definition; and (ii) remove certain requirements that currently need be met in order for Legacy Regrades to be eligible for exclusion from the calculation of Fibre Only performance.

Openreach is due to cease the Openreach Wholesale Line Rental (WLR) service and in view of this Openreach made available an amendment to the original Equinox contract to enable transfers of existing WLR services to Openreach’s SOGEA service without negatively impacting the Communications Provider’s ability to meet the Thresholds set out in the original Equinox contract. The Special Offer Equinox Offer Contract Amendment, which was optional and remains open for CPs to sign, set out a process and facility for transfers from the WLR service to SOGEA (defined as ‘Legacy Regrades’) .

To enable the closure of the WLR platform, Openreach are in the process of launching SOTAP for Analogue – a transitional product that will provide voice services to end customers that require those over a copper line after the closure of the WLR platform. Consequently, we are now including migrations from WLR to SOTAP for Analogue under the ‘Legacy Regrades’ definition to allow CPs to complete such migrations without it affecting their Equinox Fibre Only performance.

Also, following engagement and feedback from our CP customers in implementing the process described in the original amendment, we are making changes to simplify the forecasting terms for ‘Legacy Regrades’ by removing the obligation to stay within 10% tolerance of the forecasted ‘Legacy Regrades’ volumes for a calendar month.

This change is also intended to align with the DSIT charters to ensure we safeguard vulnerable end customers that are currently using WLR based services and are included in migration programmes.

This offer is being notified with 90 days’ notice under SMP Condition 8.6 as it applies to the way in which orders are counted for the purpose of calculating Equinox Fibre Only performance. The implementation of the amendment remains subject to those requirements.

Full terms and conditions apply, and are provided here.

More information

If you've any questions about this briefing, please get in touch with your business development manager or customer experience manager.