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Ofcom warns BT change is ahead over internet provision

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phi2008:

--- Quote ---
The status quo between BT and its subsidiary Openreach, which provides the infrastructure connecting people to the internet, is unlikely to continue warns the head of the telecoms regulator, Ofcom.

Critics of BT say it has not invested enough in Openreach and want it sold.

Ofcom's chief executive, Sharon White, is currently reviewing the company's provision of superfast broadband.

She said one option was "the structural separation" of Openreach from BT.

Ms White explained this was among four possible options being explored. They are:

* Whether to maintain the status quo which she said was "unlikely."

* More deregulation.

* The "structural separation" of Openreach and BT - in particular whether Openreach could be spun out more fully from BT.

* Adjusting the existing system to make it "more fit for purpose". That could include improving services, repairs, and laying new superfast lines.

Rest of article...


--- End quote ---

Interesting times ...  :)

Black Sheep:
Yeah, interesting find. I wonder why the workforce hasn't been informed of this yet ?? They're usually super-quick to put out an announcement to keep us informed.
 Maybe they're working on it as we speak ?  :)

broadstairs:
I must admit that I have always believed that these kind of arrangements, rather like what in some circles are called 'chinese walls', can leak like the proverbial sieve. If both halves of a company which has conflicting interests are effectively responsible to the same set of shareholders it is not good, granted that some of the same people may hold shares but that is somewhat different. I personally do not believe that the UK regulation is tough enough to allow companies to exist like this. I think the only logical solution is to completely split OpenReach from the rest of BT. At least that way there could be no doubt that the market place is more open, whether or not it will work better is something we would have to see over time although I personally feel it is more likely to be better.

Stuart

WWWombat:
I don't think we were ever going to see the "status quo" as the answer. Ofcom have to be seen to be doing *something* to improve things, after all.

This is a "big picture" structural review - a once-in-a-decade thing.

Last time we had one of those - creating Openreach - the access network had been a really stable thing, and no approval had been given to NGA networks - I even wonder how much though was given to it?

This time, the one thing we can be sure about: The next decade is going to see even more upheaval to the access networks than we've even seen in the last 6 years.

If Ofcom really want to rip things up and start again, they'd better have a really solid reason why, and an even more solid understanding of the outcome. There's not a lot of room for the laws of unintended consequences to come into play. Not this decade.

Weaver:
So what do I get under the 10 Mbps USO ("legally obliged") in 2020.

I have this sickening feeling that the answer is either

a) nothing, it's just a joke, or

b) satellite (no way, a bad joke)

What do Kitizens think?

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