Questions about Openreach Limited
1. How will Openreach Limited be different to other BT lines of business?
When we’ve fully completed implementation, we will no longer be a 'line of business'. We will be a separate company and a separate legal entity. We have our own Governance with our own board and Clive will report to Mike McTighe, our new chairman. The important thing is that we are still wholly-owned by BT Group.
2. Will assets be transferred to Openreach Limited?
Openreach will manage and operate its assets on behalf of BT. Assets ownership will remain with BT Group. BT Group will provide funds which we will invest in network platforms and in better service for all our customers.
3. What will happen to the Openreach brand?
We will rebrand Openreach to symbolise our independence. In practise this will mean removing the BT logo. Rebranding will happen over a period of a few years - after the new agreement has been implemented. This means that we minimise the impact on customers (e.g. by taking vans off the road to rebrand) and keep costs at a minimum. Please don’t make your own changes to our existing logo or templates. Our brand team is on it. They’re developing guidelines which will cover all customer touchpoints like PowerPoint decks, business cards, uniforms and vans. We’ll share these as soon as they’re ready.
4. Are we required to make further systems separation?
There are no additional requirements required beyond the existing arrangements. Of course, systems are fundamental to the customer experience so we will continue to look to make improvements across the board.
5. Ofcom has announced another consultation- what is this about?
As expected, Ofcom announced a period of consultation from 17th March – 14th April 2017. They are consulting on releasing BT from its current Undertakings, and for these to be replaced by a new set of commitments.