Ref: 42/00
Date: 8 June 2000

Proposed technical guidelines on the type of equipment operators can install on the network to provide high speed information services over unbundled local loops have been published today by Oftel.

Known as the ‘Access Network Frequency Plan’, the guidelines are necessary to ensure that any equipment installed by an operator does not cause interference with another operator’s equipment.

Oftel had asked a special industry group to advise it on this issue, but so far it has been unable to agree. Oftel has published these guidelines because companies need to know what equipment will be permitted to be used on unbundled local loops.

David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications said today:

"Oftel set a challenging timetable for local loop unbundling and I am determined to ensure that the timetable is met.

"Oftel has published the draft Plan to ensure that there is no interference between equipment installed on unbundled local loops. Since industry was unable to reach a consensus on this issue, Oftel’s guidelines set out a balanced solution.

"Significant progress has already been made to introduce local loop unbundling as soon as possible. Triallists have been selected and trials will be up and running from January of next year. Oftel has also inserted a new condition into BT’s licence to require it to provide unbundled local loops to other operators.

"Today’s guidelines help ensure this important work keeps on track."

Operators have 28 days to respond to the proposal and Oftel will publish their final decision in July.

Notes to Editors

1. The consultation document Access to Bandwidth: Proposed Solution for the Access Network Frequency Plan (ANFP) for BT’s Metallic Access Network is available on Oftel’s website at http://www.oftel.gov.uk/competition/anfp0600.htm.

2. Local Loop Unbundling enables other operators to upgrade BT’s local loop by placing Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) technology in the local exchange and at customer premises, as set out in Oftel’s announcement in November 1999. In addition, BT is currently rolling out ADSL over its own network with launch planned for summer 2000. This will give consumers access to high speed information services, with service providers able to use BT’s ADSL equipment to provide their own services to consumers in competition to BT. Local Loop Unbundling will ensure that there is competition in the provision of upgraded loops and will enable different DSL technologies to be used offering more choice to consumers.

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