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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Regulator tells BT to open up cable network | Regulator tells BT to open up cable network |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Communications regulator, Ofcom has told BT to open up its cable network, allowing competitors to connect the internet to homes and offices. | Communications regulator, Ofcom has told BT to open up its cable network, allowing competitors to connect the internet to homes and offices. |
| Ofcom also says that the country is suffering from a digital divide between those who have the latest technologies, and those who do not. | Ofcom also says that the country is suffering from a digital divide between those who have the latest technologies, and those who do not. |
| It has proposed that decent, affordable broadband should be a universal right. | It has proposed that decent, affordable broadband should be a universal right. |
| The regulator has so far stopped short of demanding a complete break-up of BT, but said this was still an option. | |
| Rivals had called for a split between BT and its Openreach operation, which runs its cables, fibre and network infrastructure. Companies such as Sky, Vodafone and TalkTalk, who pay to use the network, say that BT underinvested in Openreach, leading to a poor service with interruptions and slow speeds. | |
| But BT will be told to allow easier access for rivals to lay their own fibre cables along Openreach's telegraph poles and in its underground cable ducts. | But BT will be told to allow easier access for rivals to lay their own fibre cables along Openreach's telegraph poles and in its underground cable ducts. |
| Ofcom also says it intends to introduce tougher rules on BT's faults, repairs and installations. | Ofcom also says it intends to introduce tougher rules on BT's faults, repairs and installations. |
| It says Openreach should be governed at arm's length from BT, with greater independence in taking its own decisions on budget, investment and strategy. It adds that a complete split between Openreach and BT "remains an option". | It says Openreach should be governed at arm's length from BT, with greater independence in taking its own decisions on budget, investment and strategy. It adds that a complete split between Openreach and BT "remains an option". |
| Major reform | |
| The Chief Executive of Ofcom, Sharon White told the BBC: "Openreach does need major reform and the key thing is that it's independent so that it responds to all its customers, not just BT. | The Chief Executive of Ofcom, Sharon White told the BBC: "Openreach does need major reform and the key thing is that it's independent so that it responds to all its customers, not just BT. |
| "If we cannot get the responsiveness to customers that we're seeking, then ... we reserve the right, formally, to separate [BT and Openreach]." | "If we cannot get the responsiveness to customers that we're seeking, then ... we reserve the right, formally, to separate [BT and Openreach]." |
| In response a BT spokesman said: "Openreach is already one of the most heavily regulated businesses in the world but we have volunteered to accept tighter regulation. | |
| "We are happy to let other companies use our ducts and poles if they are genuinely keen to invest very large sums as we have done." | |
| Analysis by Jane Wakefield, technology reporter | |
| Ofcom has stopped short of recommending that Openreach be spilt entirely away from its parent BT - although it has not ruled it out - but it has suggested that maybe it is time to let go of the apron strings. | |
| In its once-a-decade review of the digital communications industry, it acknowledges that the evidence "shows Openreach still has an incentive to make decisions in the interests of BT, rather than BT's competitors". | |
| That will be something rivals, from big players like Sky to small internet service providers (ISPs) that are attempting to bring broadband to areas not yet served by BT, will recognise all too well, and Ofcom's decision that the two should stay together for now will be seen as a blow. | |
| Openreach is currently in the midst of a high profile rollout of superfast broadband that is funded by public money so, from Ofcom's point of view, this will be seen as the path of least disruption. | |
| Consumers have been promised tougher rules on how Openreach deals with faults, repairs and installations, but whether that will be enough to stop the record number of complaints about telecom services remains to be seen. | |
| Telecoms consultancy CCS insight said: "The news will be a relief for BT, but rivals will also claim victory as Openreach remains under severe scrutiny. | |
| "The tone of the statement reflects concern about BT's role in the UK's broadband future. Opening the network offers opportunities for competitors; new minimum standards will ensure customer service stays in the spotlight." | |
| Social exclusion | Social exclusion |
| The report also says the surge in data speeds has led to a "digital divide" between those who have the fastest internet access and those who are left behind. | The report also says the surge in data speeds has led to a "digital divide" between those who have the fastest internet access and those who are left behind. |
| It says: "As the world goes increasingly online, those left behind risk social and economic exclusion. We have found that people who are left behind are usually less well-off or living in vulnerable circumstances." | It says: "As the world goes increasingly online, those left behind risk social and economic exclusion. We have found that people who are left behind are usually less well-off or living in vulnerable circumstances." |
| "2.4 million households and small businesses (around 8% of all UK premises) cannot yet access a decent broadband speed of 10Mbits per second," the report said. | "2.4 million households and small businesses (around 8% of all UK premises) cannot yet access a decent broadband speed of 10Mbits per second," the report said. |
| The report, Making Communications Work for Everyone, says: "We will work with the UK Government to make decent, affordable broadband a universal right for every home and small business in the UK. | The report, Making Communications Work for Everyone, says: "We will work with the UK Government to make decent, affordable broadband a universal right for every home and small business in the UK. |
| "The universal right should start off at 10Mbits per second for everyone, and then rise in line with customer demand over time." | "The universal right should start off at 10Mbits per second for everyone, and then rise in line with customer demand over time." |
| . | . |