UK Telecom Watchdog Sets Out Proposals to Upgrade Broadband Networks
January 08 2020 - 2:56AM
Dow Jones News
By Adria Calatayud
The U.K.'s telecommunications regulator, Ofcom, on Wednesday
outlined a series of proposals to upgrade the country's broadband
by encouraging competition to BT Group PLC's (BT.A.LN)
network-infrastructure arm Openreach.
Ofcom said the proposals aim to support competitive investment
in fiber networks, seeking to accelerate the U.K.'s transition to
full-fiber broadband connections from copper. Fiber networks can
deliver faster speeds than copper lines.
The regulator said its proposal seeks to improve the business
case for fiber investment, by setting Openreach's wholesale prices
in a way that encourages competition from new networks, as well as
investment by BT's unit. Ofcom said its plan will also support
investment by Openreach in rural areas and plans to close copper
networks as full-fiber replacements are built.
Ofcom said its proposals also intend to make sure people can
still access affordable broadband and prevent Openreach from
stifling competition.
"These plans will help fuel a full-fiber future for the whole
country. We're removing the remaining roadblocks to investment and
supporting competition, so companies can build the networks that
will drive the U.K. into the digital fast lane," Ofcom's Interim
Chief Executive Jonathan Oxley said.
Ofcom's proposal will remain open for consultation until April 1
and the regulator plans to publish its final decisions in early
2021 before current rules expire in April 2021.
Write to Adria Calatayud at adria.calatayud@dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
January 08, 2020 02:41 ET (07:41 GMT)
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