Ethernet Access Direct (EAD) gives you a point-to-point data connection between sites. You can use it to build and extend customer networks, develop new infrastructure and provide low-capacity backhaul. It can support cloud computing, simultaneous online pupil access in classrooms and storage area network connectivity.
What’s available?
Our EAD portfolio is made up of:
| Variant | Speed | Local access | Standard | Extended reach |
| EAD 10 | 10Mbps | Y | Y | Y* |
| EAD 100 | 100Mbps | Y | Y | Y* |
| EAD 1000 | 1000Mbps | Y | Y | Y* |
| EAD 10000 | 10Gbps | Y | Y | N |
Extend your reach
Our standard radial distance is up to 25km, with a maximum route distance of 40km. But we also have extended reach options with a radial distance of up to 45km and a maximum route distance of 86km.
CAS(T) assurance
EAD is certified under the CESG Assured Service (CAS) scheme (Telecoms) (CAS(T)). This means that it conforms to industry good practice. While the CAS(T) scheme closed in January 2020, existing CAS(T) certificates are valid until they expire.
You can find extra product information in the suppliers’ information note (SIN492).
Information on the power requirements for the equipment we use for Ethernet circuits.
The processes we follow.
The EAD orchestration matrix has information on EAD product rules for orders you place with our EMP system.
The aggregation node site dataset tells you about BT sites that aren’t available for direct connection using EAD under the connectivity services contract. These sites are grouped into defined aggregation nodes, as listed in Ofcom’s Business Connectivity Market Review final statement.
You’re not allowed to connect any BT site listed in one aggregation node with any BT site listed in another aggregation node. But you can connect any two BT sites listed within a single aggregation node.
A guide to deemed consent and its principles. Find out more about Ethernet deemed consent.
You can find the latest generic bill back-up guide in the How-to guides in Help and support.
Information on what happens when you order a product or raise a fault with us. You’ll also find links to documents like product descriptions, pricing information and contracts.
The following documents explain the functional changes and upgrades we’ve made with each release, and how they affect the way our system interacts with yours.
They’re aimed at your technical teams who design and build interfaces into the Openreach B2B gateway.
When we’re going to make a change, we’ll create a new document which we’ll publish before testing or release. We’ll then update this if we need to, based on our findings. So keep checking back for updates.
(We reserve the right to change functionality as part of a release, and to add a new document to reflect this.)
You can now find Functional Specification, and B2B/XML Release Documentation on iPublish, which can be found within the 'Your tools' section on your Dashboard.
EMP B2B documentation
These give design specifications for functions that Openreach gateway users need to use. You can find them here. (They’re for your technical teams who design and build B2B interfaces into the Openreach gateway.)
You can now find Functional Specification, and B2B/XML Release Documentation on iPublish, which can be found within the 'Your tools' section on your Dashboard.
1.EAD service test
2. Functional specifications
Technical documentation (for portal and B2B) and network details for:
If you have an Openreach contract for EBD, you can find extra information about this in the secure area. You’ll need to have previously been given access to see it, and be logged in to your Openreach account. Use the button below to open it, or to ask us for access.
You don't have access to this secure area yet. Your request is pending.
You don't have access to this secure area but you can request the access using the button below.
You can find information about using this site, advice on services and help with your account on our help and support pages.
Help and support videos
We've created some videos of different EMP journeys using the customer verification facility (CVF). They can help:
You can watch the videos on the EAD playlist on our YouTube channel.
Are you interested in having a say in how the industry meets its customers’ needs? You can find out more about getting involved on our industry forum pages.
You’ll need to be logged in to your Openreach account to see these. If you’re not registered yet, you can sign up.