Ofcom hopes that making it easier to access BT’s broadband network will boost investment in the industry and improve quality of service IAIN MACDONALD/PANew rules designed to cut the amount that BT charges rivals to gain access to its network of underground tunnels and telegraph poles have been proposed by the industry regulator. Ofcom believes that capping charges would ensure cheaper and easier access to BT’s ducts and poles – a key step designed to boost competition and make it easier for smaller companies to offer consumers and businesses alternative fibre broadband networks, built using shared essential infrastructure. Rivals say that BT, whose Openreach division controls the cables and other kit which form the backbone of the UK’s broadband network, has in the past used unreasonably high access charges as a way to inhibit competition in the sector. Building an alternative national network of equivalent ducts and poles…

Source: The Times August 01, 2017 15:56 UTC