Business Connectivity Market Review

This consultation document sets out the preliminary conclusions of our review of the retail and wholesale markets for leased line services in the UK. The present review supersedes the Leased Lines Market Review carried out by Ofcom in 2003/04 (the 2003/04 Review), the findings of which were set out in a statement published in June 2004.

This review has been carried out in accordance with the requirements of the regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services which came into force on 25 July 2003. The framework is based on five EU Communications Directives and is aimed at reducing entry barriers and fostering effective competition to the benefit of consumers. Ofcom has also taken the utmost account of the EC Recommendation on relevant product and service markets, an updated version of which came into effect in November 2007, and the EC Guidelines on market analysis and the assessment of SMP.