EasyNet coughs up to Battersea first

EasyNet Group has become the first operator in mainland Britain to unbundle a local loop of copper wire from BT's monster telco network and provide its own broadband service over it.

The Internet group did it yesterday from BT's telephone exchange in Battersea, London.

BT confirmed as much but refused to name the operator responsible. However, El Reg's beak has been close tothe ground and EasyNet finally confirmed it was them late this afternoon.

It seems EasyNet's been a tad shy about publicity although they promise to do something about that soon.

Ahh, bless.

Although the Mayor of London wasn't there to witness such a momentous event, EL Reg reckons these guys deserve a round of applause. After all, this is about a new level of access to BT's hitherto monopolistic network - the beginning of the revolution, comrades, and all that.

El Reg chatted to the management team at EasyNet this afternoon and they were positively giddy with excitement. And quite right too. We'd all like to celebrate in EasyNet's success.

A little bit of bunting, some cake and pop wouldn't go amiss either to help celebrate this event.

Of course, BT's putting on a brave face pretending that this is terrific news. But deep down - deep, deep down - you know they're hurting. Ooooooohhhh, they're hurting bad.

Oh, and you can bet Oftel is wetting itself with excitement that someone, at last, has finally done it. ®

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