BT Forecasts £2 Billion Copper Sales from Fiber Upgrade

BT Group anticipates generating more than £2 billion in revenue over the next decade from the sale of copper cabling being decommissioned across the United Kingdom. This financial projection stems from the ongoing national transition to a full-fiber broadband network, spearheaded by its subsidiary, Openreach. The significant revenue potential is largely attributed to record-high global copper prices, which reached $14,294 per metric tonne in May 2024.

The surge in copper prices reflects escalating demand from sectors including artificial intelligence data centers, electronics manufacturing, and renewable energy infrastructure. BT has already secured substantial upfront payments, totaling £204 million, through two forward-sale agreements with EMR, recognized as the largest cable granulation firm in the UK.

Accelerated Recovery Operations

During the fiscal year that concluded in March 2025, BT successfully recovered nearly 10,000 tonnes of copper. This figure marks a considerable increase compared to previous recovery periods, underscoring the intensified efforts. Openreach projects the extraction of up to 200,000 tonnes of high-grade copper as the fiber rollout progresses throughout the 2030s. This extensive recovery operation is a direct consequence of the network modernization initiative, which systematically replaces older copper infrastructure with advanced fiber optics across the country.

The sheer volume of copper being recovered highlights the substantial scale and continuous nature of this telecommunications infrastructure transition. Beyond the financial gains, the head of sustainability at Openreach, Abby Chicken, emphasized that the recovery and recycling of copper represent a responsible approach, contributing to waste reduction and supporting the UK's broader energy transition objectives.

Mitigating Theft Risks and Future Outlook

The elevated market value of copper has regrettably led to increased security challenges, particularly a rise in cable theft incidents across the network. In response, Openreach has implemented advanced anti-theft measures, including the deployment of synthetic DNA tracers. These proactive security interventions contributed to a 30 percent reduction in reported cable thefts during 2024, demonstrating their effectiveness in safeguarding critical infrastructure and ensuring the uninterrupted progress of the broadband rollout.

As the full-fiber transition advances, BT's capacity to monetize its copper assets will depend on sustained high global demand for the metal, coupled with efficient management of its extraction and sales processes. The company's long-term strategy focuses on optimizing its recovery operations to capitalize on favorable market conditions while simultaneously ensuring the security and integrity of its network assets. The trajectory of global copper prices, influenced by technological advancements and green energy initiatives, remains a critical factor in realizing BT's projected financial windfall.