Over a year has passed since Ofcom informed BT that they needed to make their ducts and poles more available to third-party companies, but now, the consumer group are putting their foot down. Recently, Ofcom set out new and detailed plans designed to improve access to the infrastructure of Openreach, meaning that competitors will find that it’s cheaper and easier to connect their own fibre directly to their offices and homes. These plans are the culmination of the consultation that first took place during 2016.
A Quick Recap
Let’s quickly remind ourselves of how we got to this point. The idea is that the best way to improve competition among current UK ISPs, is to give them access to BT ducts, rather than asking them to dig their own, which is typically more expensive. Now, the likes of Sky, who are constantly complaining about unfairness associated with Openreach, can finally take the opportunity to lease their own fibre networks, and stop being under the thumb of the wholesaler.
Essentially, even if the companies don’t have to do any digging to begin their new fibre revolution, 25there’s still going to be a lot of costs associated with such a move, which is why the most pragmatic business approach appears to be to continue leasing the current infrastructure from BT.
Understanding the Latest Move
Today, Ofcom, as well as a host of other companies, have begun to recognise that customers from all parts of the UK now rely on dependable, fast, and effective broadband connections. Up until now, competing companies have complained that their reasoning for failing to bring out fibre for the masses has been linked to BT’s control over the market. However, the new Ofcom development means that there’s more freedom out there for everyone.
According to the Competition Policy Director for Ofcom, Yih-Choung Teh, sharing BT’s poles and ducts will make it easier for companies to start offering their own full-fibre broadband through the tunnels and telegraph poles that Openreach provides. This means that providers will now be on a level playing field with BT.
