BT Openreach

50Twuncle

DUTR wrote: »

Answer post #39 please.

OK - BT have a monopoly in doing the upgrade work - which, clearly - they are unable to do in the time "allowed" - but are not willing to have the work opened up to competition - why not ?


They have been required by the government to supply fast broadband to at least 80% of British homes by 2016 - which they are NOT going to do - the date has already been moved right by 2 years ! and the percentage has reduced (from 90%) - why can Sky, Talk Talk etc not be let in and finish the job faster ?
My ISP (TT Business) have tried to get a date / year, for my fibre connection out of BT - But they won't even speak to them...

JJ_Egan

As i understood the situation all the other companies pulled out of the bidding leaving BT as the sole provider .

littleboo

50Twuncle wrote: »

OK - BT have a monopoly in doing the upgrade work - which, clearly - they are unable to do in the time "allowed" - but are not willing to have the work opened up to competition - why not ?


They have been required by the government to supply fast broadband to at least 80% of British homes by 2016 - which they are NOT going to do - the date has already been moved right by 2 years ! and the percentage has reduced (from 90%) - why can Sky, Talk Talk etc not be let in and finish the job faster ?
My ISP (TT Business) have tried to get a date / year, for my fibre connection out of BT - But they won't even speak to them...

I think you're a bit confused. BT haven't been required by the government to do anything. BT chose to roll out FTTC at it's own cost to commercially viable areas. Where it wasn't commercially viable, government funds are available but BT still contributes. As mentioned above, all the other bidders walked away, people like Virgin have no interest in getting involved as they would have to wholesale their network, something they are not prepared to do, plus they are a debt laden company. Sky and TT could have also bid and "finished the job" as you" put it, they have neither the appetite or the expertise. Instead they they have invested small amounts (£5m) with CityFibre in York, and good luck to them, but presumably will not open that network to other ISP's and will avoid areas that are too costly to deliver to.