Ofcom has recently highlighted plans to improve telecoms quality and coverage, so that UK homes and businesses receive the best possible phone and broadband services.
The initial conclusions state:
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BT must open up the network, so competitors can connect fibre to homes and offices
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Reform of BT's Openreach to better serve UK consumers and businesses
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Better quality of service for all customers, including automatic compensation.
Ofcom is announcing a new strategy to promote a large-scale roll-out of new ultrafast broadband networks, based on cable and fibre lines, as an alternative to the partly copper-based technologies currently being planned by BT. Supporting investment by rival providers will reduce the country's reliance on Openreach, and increase competitive pressure on its network. Openreach will be required to open up its telegraph poles and 'ducts' - the small underground tunnels, that carry telecoms lines. Using these, rival providers will be able to build their own fibre networks, connected directly to homes and offices.
Ofcom has also decided to overhaul Openreach's governance and strengthen its independence from BT. In future, Openreach needs to take its own decisions on budget, investment and strategy - such as the deployment of new networks. Openreach management would be required to serve all wholesale customers equally, and consult them on its investment plans. There will also be greater transparency on how costs and assets are allocated between Openreach and the rest of BT.
This plan is designed to make the UK a world-leading digital economy, over the next decade and beyond. The decisions are designed to achieve: A choice of networks for consumers and businesses, better quality of service across the telecoms industry and improved broadband and mobile coverage.
