Ofcom instructs BT to share broadband infrastructure
Ofcom has instructed BT to open up its network of transmission cables to rivals in an attempt to kick start competition in the super fast broadband market.
BT is investing £2.5bn in a fibre optic network that will cover two thirds of the country by 2015, it will now be required to allow competitors such as TalkTalk and BSkyB to take control of these lines.
It means that most broadband customers will be able to choose their super fast broadband supplier within the next five years.
The scheme is intended to replicate the success of a scheme which opened up BT’s existing copper broadband lines, with 85% of UK households now within reach of a non-BT line.
Ofcom has also requested that BT provide rivals access to their network of tunnels and poles so that fibre optic lines can be laid without the crippling expense of digging up roads and erecting new transmission lines.
It’s not all bad news for BT however; they have been given permission to set prices to allow a commercial return on their investment.