Ofcom looks to open up BT Fibre to businesses
Ofcom has announced it seeks to provide businesses access to high-speed telecom lines via the BT Fibre network.
The measure was introduced to increase competition in the UK’s £2bn market for ‘leased lines’ used by large businesses and mobile and broadband operators to transfer data on their networks.
Expanded leased lines, which are widely used by schools, universities, libraries and other public bodies, will as a result of the ruling see BT tasked with expanding its ‘dark fibre’ in areas outside central London.
The increased input was suggested in Ofcom’s Business Connectivity Market Review, with proposals also suggesting minimum quality of service performance requirements on Openreach, the division of BT that installs and maintains connections to BT's network on behalf of competing providers.
Today’s proposals are subject to consultation, closing on 31 July 2015. The final decision will be published in the first quarter of 2016.