BT to share fibre optic cables says Ofcom
Britain’s media regulator has told BT that it must open up its fibre optic cables to competitors in a bid to increase the take-up of superfast internet services. Ofcom also said it required the telecoms company to give access to its telegraph poles and underground ducts to rival ISP firms so they can build their own fibre networks.
BT, however, will still be able to set the prices for the access. Ofcom said it made the decision to open up the networks to the competition in support of the coalition government’s ambition to extend superfast broadband across the country.
The regulator, however, warned that the networks that Britain needs for the future are still a long way off. The government currently wants all homes to have access to the most basic form of 2Mbps broadband by 2015. The target, which was originally set for 2012, will, however, fall foul of the EU, which wants basic broadband for all citizens by 2013 and 30Mbps by 2020.
Ofcom began its consultation on the BT matter back in March. The regulator concluded that different areas of the UK required different solutions so the network should be opened up to more players.
TalkTalk, which is the UK’s second-biggest internet provider behind BT, will be the first to start utilising BT’s lines. Ofcom is hoping that other IPSs, such as Sky, will also follow suit.