BT Fails On Fair & Equal Access
Posted: 18th Nov, 2004 By: MarkJ
The opening salvo of Ofcom's telecoms market review has today been highlighted by its assault on the UK's largest Telco. BT has been ordered to provide "real equality of access" or risk a full Competition Commission probe:
Ofcom is proposing that BT changes its existing mechanisms and processes to give its competitors the same access to its wholesale network, at the same price, as BT's own retail arm.
If BT doesn't play ball, Ofcom will launch an investigation under the Enterprise Act, which could result in the Competition Commission getting involved. BT has argued in the past that it provides a level playing field -- but many rivals have disputed this claim.
"Twenty years after liberalisation, the market has made good progress. However, its foundations are unstable in parts, overly dependent on intrusive regulation and with limited sustainable competition," said Ofcom chief executive Stephen Carter.
Less of a surprise came with the confirmation that Ofcom had ruled out any forced BT break-up, although this information had long since been leaked.
No doubt more revelations and interesting incites will follow the reports wider public release. More @ ZDNet.
Ofcom is proposing that BT changes its existing mechanisms and processes to give its competitors the same access to its wholesale network, at the same price, as BT's own retail arm.
If BT doesn't play ball, Ofcom will launch an investigation under the Enterprise Act, which could result in the Competition Commission getting involved. BT has argued in the past that it provides a level playing field -- but many rivals have disputed this claim.
"Twenty years after liberalisation, the market has made good progress. However, its foundations are unstable in parts, overly dependent on intrusive regulation and with limited sustainable competition," said Ofcom chief executive Stephen Carter.
Less of a surprise came with the confirmation that Ofcom had ruled out any forced BT break-up, although this information had long since been leaked.
No doubt more revelations and interesting incites will follow the reports wider public release. More @ ZDNet.
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