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BT Openreach Price Increases for 2026: What You Need To Know Before the WLR Switch Off 2027

Our Account Manager, Stuart Casey, who has been helping businesses switch over for months now, has pulled together some insights and updates straight from BT Openreach, along with what all this really means for your business.


VoIP phone in modern office

If you still use any services that run on the old copper network, the next year is going to bring some big changes. BT Openreach is retiring WLR completely in January 2027 and to prepare for that, they’re increasing the price of WLR rentals throughout 2026.


These increases aren’t coming from KubeNet. They’re industry wide and every provider will need to pass them on.


Here’s what the increases look like:

  • April 2026: WLR basic product and other WLR variants increase by 20 percent

  • July 2026: A further 40 percent rise on the current price

  • October 2026: Another 40 percent increase, which means you’ll be paying double what you pay today.


With the WLR switch off 2027 getting closer, staying on copper means paying more and getting less. So it’s worth understanding what this means for your business and what options you have.


What Does the WLR Switch Off Mean For My Business

If your business number suddenly stopped working, how much disruption would that cause? It sounds dramatic but this is exactly what can happen if you leave the move too late. When the copper network is turned off, anything still running on it will simply stop.


You might also have seen signs of ageing copper already. Heavy rain, strong wind, roadworks and construction can all affect broadband or phone services that still sit on WLR. It has served businesses well for years but it’s not built for what companies need today.


What Are My Options

Telephone Lines

There are loads of VoIP platforms available that fit every type of business. Single users, multiple users, call centres, payment teams, outbound sales, the lot. VoIP gives you better call quality, better features, more control and usually better value. Most systems also come with call bundles which means paying per call becomes a thing of the past.


Broadband

If you’re still on a service that maxes out at 80/20 Mbps, you’re missing out. Full Fibre to the Premise can go right up to 1000 Mbps. Yes, over 10 times the speed. It’s faster, more reliable and perfect for modern cloud based working.


Alarm Lines

If you still have an alarm system that uses an analogue line, we can help you move to an ATA device. It plugs straight into your router and turns your old analogue line into a cloud based line. The install is simple and the number port is even simpler.


Lift Lines

KubeNet can help you move from your old WLR lift line to a GSM unit with an IoT SIM. It lowers costs and gives you better reporting and better visibility of your data.


Timescales

The final WLR switch off 2027 happens in January. But because BT is raising prices in April, July and October, you’ll see your rentals double if you stay on copper until the end. There’s also no guarantee that lead times won’t get longer as more businesses start the migration. The sooner you move, the smoother it will be.


Anything Else I Should Know

  • VoIP gives you a level of features and analytics that WLR just can’t match. The management side is miles ahead and it gives you much more control over how your business communicates.

  • Switching is also a lot easier than people think. We take care of the process, guide you through every step and make sure everything keeps working the way you need it to.

  • Nobody likes price increases but upgrading now means you avoid paying double, you get far better tech and you future proof your business before the rush begins.

  • Switch now and you’ll thank yourself later.


Want to Chat About Your Options?

Book a time with me to discuss your setup or drop me an email at stuart.casey@kubenet.net and I’ll help you understand the best route forward.

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