Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2001/12/21/oftel_blesses_broadband_combo_networks/

Oftel blesses broadband combo networks

Good for consumers

By Drew Cullen

Posted in Networks, 21st December 2001 10:20 GMT

Oftel today ruled that competing operators can mix-and-match their broadband infrastructure with that of BT's DSL network. Such combos should be in the public domain by next summer, the telco watchdog says.

Before today's decision, telcos had to act either as a reseller for BT, or build their own broadband networks in their entirety. So this means companies such as Energis and Thus do not have to spend as much money to attain full coverage, competition is increased and, presumably, prices will go down.

Of course this depends on the prices set for the two new interconnection services using both ADSL and SDSL technology that Oftel has ordered BT to supply to rivals.

The draft ruling is published here. ®