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BT's legacy copper network could fetch over $2.7 billion as full-fiber replacement frees scrap metal
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As Openreach replaces BT's copper phone lines with full-fiber broadband, recovered copper has become a significant revenue stream, with rising global demand from AI data centers and electrification pushing its value past earlier estimates.
For telecom operators managing copper-to-fiber transitions, scrap copper recovery is now a material financial line item rather than an afterthought. The surge in copper theft from active networks also means operators face new security costs alongside the recovery upside.
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Openreach has recovered over 22,000 metric tons of copper since 2023 and received £99 million up front from recycling partner EMR.
Copper previously valued at £1.5 billion could now exceed £2 billion ($2.7 billion) due to demand from AI data centers, renewable energy, and electrification.
Rising copper prices have increased cable theft, prompting Openreach to mark cables with synthetic DNA and UV tracers.
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