This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/feb/25/bt-ofcom-openreach-cable-network-broadband-consumers

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
What will Ofcom's review of BT's cable network mean for broadband users? What will Ofcom's review of BT's cable network mean for broadband users?
(about 7 hours later)
BT is under pressure to open up its network infrastructure to allow rivals to lay their own ultrafast fibre-optic broadband lines, after a review by the telecoms regulator.BT is under pressure to open up its network infrastructure to allow rivals to lay their own ultrafast fibre-optic broadband lines, after a review by the telecoms regulator.
The move was announced on Thursday as part of Ofcom’s once in a decade review of the telecoms market. It has been considering whether to push BT to spin off its Openreach subsidiary, which operates the UK’s broadband network infrastructure. The move was announced on Thursday as part of Ofcom’s once-in-a-decade review of the telecoms market. Ofcom opted for this course of action after deciding against forcing BT to spin off its Openreach division, which operates the UK’s broadband network infrastructure.
Related: Ofcom tells BT to open up cable network to rivals
But does this mean any change for consumers experiencing trouble with their broadband?But does this mean any change for consumers experiencing trouble with their broadband?
What is Openreach?What is Openreach?
Related: Ofcom tells BT to open up cable network to rivals
Openreach builds and maintains the UK’s vast copper and fibre network that connect nearly all businesses and homes to the national broadband and telephone network. It has faced criticism over poor service standards.Openreach builds and maintains the UK’s vast copper and fibre network that connect nearly all businesses and homes to the national broadband and telephone network. It has faced criticism over poor service standards.
What problems are consumers having?What problems are consumers having?
Consumers have suffered a range of problems, from installation delays, to eye-watering costs to lay cables to connect them to the outside world. Customers, who include large firms such as TalkTalk and Sky, have suffered a range of problems, from installation delays, to eye-watering costs for laying cables to connect them to the outside world.
Under the universal service obligation BT is only allowed to charge customers more than the standard £130 installation fee, if the costs of laying cabling for a phone and basic internet connection exceed £3,400. However, some householders in well-populated areas with ready-laid infrastructure are mistakenly being told they must hand over tens of thousands of pounds to have their properties connected. Fixing the problem can be extremely difficult, as the disconnect between Openreach and BT is well documented. Customers do not have a contract with Openreach, meaning they have to address any grievances to their provider and rely on it to mediate. Competitors say this is down to underinvestment by BT, because it has an effective monopoly. They claim BT’s underinvestment is preventing the roll-out of high-speed “fibre to the premises” internet - from the telephone exchange to individual homes - that could give consumers much faster broadband.
What if I don’t use BT?What if I don’t use BT?
Trouble with Openreach extends beyond BT’s customers. Sky, TalkTalk and Vodafone, which rely on Openreach to connect their broadband subscribers, have called for the more radical option from Ofcom. They argue that Openreach has a poor record on repairs, that it is not investing enough in upgrading its infrastructure and that the cash it generates is helping BT regain a dominant position in the telecoms market. Trouble with Openreach extends beyond BT’s customers because Sky, TalkTalk and Vodafone rely on its “last mile” of wiring to get their service to subscribers’ homes. These companies have called for a more radical option from Ofcom, in which BT loses control of Openreach altogether. They argue that Openreach has a poor record on repairs, that it is not investing enough in upgrading its infrastructure and that the cash it generates is helping BT regain a dominant position in the telecoms market.
Am I entitled to compensation?Am I entitled to compensation?
Any compensation for delays is paid to the provider. Customers who have lost out must take their case to whichever alternative dispute resolution scheme their provider is signed up to.Any compensation for delays is paid to the provider. Customers who have lost out must take their case to whichever alternative dispute resolution scheme their provider is signed up to.
Ofcom is consulting on compensation payments for affected customers and will set out plans for automatic compensation this year. A spokesperson said: “We don’t think it’s right that phone and broadband customers who receive poor service should have to pursue their complaint to receive a payment. Instead, they should automatically receive a cheque in the post, or a credit on their bill, when things go wrong.” Ofcom is consulting on payments for affected customers and will set out plans for an automatic compensation scheme this year. This would see customers get a credit on their bill or receive a cheque after a prolonged outage. A spokesperson said: “We don’t think it’s right that phone and broadband customers who receive poor service should have to pursue their complaint to receive a payment. Instead, they should automatically receive a cheque in the post, or a credit on their bill, when things go wrong.”
Does the review mean better broadband?Does the review mean better broadband?
There will be a new government-backed universal obligation to provide fast broadband to every home and business in the UK, starting at 10 megabits per second. There will be a new government-backed universal obligation to provide fast broadband to every home and business in the UK, starting at 10 megabits per second. If the review helps speed up fibre roll-out, speeds could get as high as 1 gigabit per second across much of the country.
Is it worth switching?Is it worth switching?
Ofcom plans to introduce league tables and make it easier for customers to switch provider. This should make it simpler to decide whether it is worth switching, through services such as www.uswitch.com and www.broadbandchoices.co.uk.Ofcom plans to introduce league tables and make it easier for customers to switch provider. This should make it simpler to decide whether it is worth switching, through services such as www.uswitch.com and www.broadbandchoices.co.uk.
You can check your speed using a variety of sites. The test takes a few seconds using one of the many online speedometers, which include www.broadbandspeedchecker.co.uk, or www.speedtest.net.You can check your speed using a variety of sites. The test takes a few seconds using one of the many online speedometers, which include www.broadbandspeedchecker.co.uk, or www.speedtest.net.