BT told to speed up loop unbundling

By THIS IS MONEY
Updated:

 

BRITISH Telecom has been told by regulator Oftel to speed up its local loop unbundling, and cut the prices.

Admitting fewer BT exchanges had had rivals' equipment installed than he had hoped, regulator David Edmonds said: 'The main reason for this is less demand from operators than forecast. A key factor in this has been the adverse financial climate.'

He announced four measures to speed up co-location, saying BT can no longer charge for site clearance when letting other operators into exchanges and must recover these costs through rental. Rental rates for high-speed services that do not offer voice services, mainly internet connection, should be cut, he added.

Other operators must have the right to place their equipment in any operational part of a BT exchange rather than where BT dictates, he said, and there must be more detailed guidance on what BT should provide in terms of space and facilities.

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