BT will have to allow its competitors use of its fibre optics. This was the recent ruling by Ofcom. In a decision to get broadband on the move in the UK, Ofcom has instructed that BT must also allow access to underground channels and telegraph poles to competitors for construction of their fibre networks.
BT will be allowed to determine its price for access. This decision is in support of the government’s decision to provide super fast broadband. All homes should have access to 2Mpbs by the year 2015, according to the government. This, however, falls way shy of the EU’s proposal that this target be met by 2012 and that all member states provide their citizens basic broadband by 2013 and 30Mpbs by 2020.
In continued commentary about BT, Ofcom said that it recognizes that different geographical areas provide different challenges to service. It says that access to BT’s facilities will allow for competing prices and that, in places where BT decides to invest in fibre, other companies will be doing the same by accessing BT’s poles and lines.
It is hoped that these opportunities will spur more investment in fibre networks and, therefore, make the government and the EU’s targets easier to achieve.
TalkTalk will be the very first ISP to benefit from the use of BT’s facilities. TalkTalk spokesmen said that they are happy with the concept, but there is still room to improve. Ofcom has hopes that others, like Sky, will come along.
Experts say the access to BT’s facilities will indeed make the fibre transition much faster and improve rural service as well.