Oftel BRINGS INTO FORCE LOCAL LOOP UNBUNDLING LICENCE CONDITION

Ref : 59/00
Date : 8 August 2000

Oftel has today brought into force the licence condition that requires BT to provide unbundled local loops to other telecoms operators.

The Condition requires BT to provide co-location facilities so that operators can install their own equipment in BT’s exchanges to supply new high speed information services to customers.

It also gives the Director General of Telecommunications the power to resolve any issues that might arise which BT and the other operators are unable to agree on.

The Determination bringing Condition 83 of BT’s licence into force is accompanied by an explanatory note that sets out Oftel’s expectations on the timescale for the provision of new services over BT’s local loop.

BT has already published a reference offer that contains product descriptions, prices and terms and conditions.

Operators will be able to place orders for co-location of equipment from 1 September. Oftel considers that BT should be capable of meeting a good number of these early orders by 31 December.

Once operators’ equipment has been installed, Oftel expects BT to provide unbundled local loops to meet reasonable demand from early next year, with widespread availability in the middle of the year once BT has installed its automated processing systems.

Chris Kenny Oftel’s Director of Regulatory Policy said today:

"Oftel's action today ensures that the UK now has the legal framework in place to deliver the unbundling of BT’s local loops.

"The challenge now is to ensure that this leads to earliest possible roll-out of new high speed services to consumers. Oftel will continue to work closely with all sections of the industry to ensure that this happens."

Note to Editors

The Determination under Condition 83 and accompanying Explanatory Note are available on Oftel’s website at www.oftel.gov.uk/competition/c83b0800.htm. Copies are available to the media from the Press Office on 020-7634 8991 and to the public from the Research and Intelligence Unit on 020-7634 8761.

Back to Press Release Index