Ofcom welcomes BT's broadband upgrade plans

RNS Number : 0720Z
Office of Communications
15 July 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ofcom welcomes BT's plan to upgrade broadband network:
Regulation to support investment and competition

15 July 2008

Ofcom welcomed BT's plans announced today to upgrade its broadband network.

Ed Richards, Ofcom Chief Executive, said:

"This is a clear sign that the UK market is moving in the right direction, with a growing number of plans to deliver super-fast
broadband services to consumers.

These new networks will be a critical part of the UK's infrastructure and will change our experience of communications. They will
support and deliver innovative applications and services as well as helping create new opportunities for businesses of all kinds.

The UK has among the most competitive and widely available current generation broadband markets in the world. This new step will ensure
that the UK remains at the forefront of developments.

Industry cannot achieve a move as significant as the launch of super-fast broadband on its own. Ofcom has led the way in prompting a
debate about the regulatory environment for super-fast broadband deployment. With this announcement industry will need further regulatory
detail and that is exactly what Ofcom will provide.

Firstly, given the potential consumer benefits, regulation needs to provide the right incentives for operators to invest, recognising
the inherently risky nature of these investments.

Secondly, we want to continue to promote a vibrant competitive environment as we enter the next generation of communications services.

Thirdly, we are already working closely with communications providers, and our wider stakeholders, to ensure there is a concerted
dialogue on the regulatory environment to support investment and competition.

Building on these discussions and our policy work over the last two years, we will be publishing further detailed proposals for the
regulatory framework for Next Generation Access networks in September."

Ends.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. Ofcom is the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications
industries, with responsibilities across television, radio, telecommunications and
wireless communications services.

2. Ofcom's initial consultation on superfast broadband was published in September 2007
and can be found at: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/nga/

3. For further information about Ofcom please visit: www.ofcom.org.uk. Ofcom's news
releases can be found at: www.ofcom.org.uk/media/

CONTACT
Elizabeth de Winton
Media & Corporate Relations
Ofcom
ofcomnews@ofcom.org.uk
(+44) (0)20 7981 3033

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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