BT Calls For USO Relaxation
Posted: 22nd Mar, 2005 By: MarkJ
Ofcom's Universal Service Obligation (USO) ensures that BT must provide a core set of services (lines capable of delivering dialup net access etc.) to all UK consumers. However, BT is now looking to relax some of the rules:
It wants to see the funding of the USO changed so that other telcos cough up too. It also wants the chance to remove loss-making phone boxes and wants to means test those who opt for its "light" tariff packages.
The UK's dominant provider - which is battling against increased competition in its retail business - is unhappy that it is having to fork out around £70m a year to meet its USO when other telcos are excused, reports the FT.
The UK Competitive Telecommunications Association (UKCTA) - made up of rival telcos including Cable & Wireless, Colt, Energis, NTL and Thus - doesn't believe the current set-up needs changing.
It doesn't appear unfair of BT to request a fairer funding change, although the UKCTA is unlikely to agree unless a cost benefit analysis shows that BT would be "significantly worse off". More @ The Register.
It wants to see the funding of the USO changed so that other telcos cough up too. It also wants the chance to remove loss-making phone boxes and wants to means test those who opt for its "light" tariff packages.
The UK's dominant provider - which is battling against increased competition in its retail business - is unhappy that it is having to fork out around £70m a year to meet its USO when other telcos are excused, reports the FT.
The UK Competitive Telecommunications Association (UKCTA) - made up of rival telcos including Cable & Wireless, Colt, Energis, NTL and Thus - doesn't believe the current set-up needs changing.
It doesn't appear unfair of BT to request a fairer funding change, although the UKCTA is unlikely to agree unless a cost benefit analysis shows that BT would be "significantly worse off". More @ The Register.
Latest UK ISP News
Cheap BIG ISPs for 100Mbps+
Community Fibre £21.00
Virgin Media £26.00
Shell Energy £26.99
Plusnet £27.99
Zen Internet £28.00 - 35.00
150,000+ Customers | View More ISPs
Cheapest ISPs for 100Mbps+
Modest Availability | View More ISPs
Latest UK ISP News
Cheap BIG ISPs for 100Mbps+
Community Fibre £21.00
Virgin Media £26.00
Shell Energy £26.99
Plusnet £27.99
Zen Internet £28.00 - 35.00
Large Availability | View All
Cheapest ISPs for 100Mbps+
Large Availability | View All
Helpful ISP Guides and Tips
Sponsored Links
The Top 15 Category Tags
- FTTP (5515)
- BT (3514)
- Politics (2537)
- Openreach (2297)
- Business (2262)
- Building Digital UK (2244)
- FTTC (2043)
- Mobile Broadband (1973)
- Statistics (1788)
- 4G (1664)
- Virgin Media (1619)
- Ofcom Regulation (1461)
- Fibre Optic (1395)
- Wireless Internet (1389)
- FTTH (1381)
Sponsored
Copyright © 1999 to Present - ISPreview.co.uk - All Rights Reserved - Terms , Privacy and Cookie Policy , Links , Website Rules