Consent to BT for provision of access for proof-of-concept trial

The Wholesale Fixed Telecoms Market Review 2021-26 (WFTMR) imposed, among others, requirements on BT not to unduly discriminate in the provision of network access and to provide network access on an Equivalence of Inputs basis (SMP Conditions 4 and 5, respectively).

BT has approached Ofcom to request consent, in accordance with section 49 of the Communications Act 2003, to provide dark fibre for a proof-of-concept network in support of a trial. Given that Openreach does not currently supply dark fibre in Area 2 and – beyond this proof of concept – does not propose to do so, BT has requested that Ofcom consent to the supply of these circuits under SMP Conditions 4.1 and 5.1 set out at Volume 7 of the WFTMR statement.

We have decided to consent to BT’s request. We have published a non-confidential version of our consent and some explanatory notes.

Consent to BT for provision of access for proof-of-concept trial (PDF, 272.5 KB)