Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2003/03/17/ntl_in_bt_broadband_complaint/

NTL in BT Broadband complaint

Not so, says telco

By Tim Richardson

Posted in Networks, 17th March 2003 12:58 GMT

NTL has complained to the telecoms regulator that a broadband marketing deal between BT and satellite TV operator BSkyB is anti-competitive.

The complaint, reports the Independent, was lodged last November, just a fortnight or so after BT and BSkyB announced the deal.

An extract from Oftel's latest quarterly Competition bulletin reads: "BT has entered into an agreement with BSkyB whereby Sky customers who order BT Broadband on-line via Sky.com save £80 on equipment they would otherwise have had to buy from BT and receive a £20 credit on their Sky digital bill.

"NTL claims that the deal involves undue discrimination against BT customers who are not Sky customers; favours a BT business to a material extent; and puts competitors at a disadvantage."

A spokesman for BT said: "We do not believe there is anything anti-competitive about this offer. Oftel were kept fully informed about the offer when it was put together."

BT and BSkyB have joined together in the past in a bid to compete against the cablecos.

Their view is that some people are more likely to buy their services from a supplier which offers TV and Internet together with their telephone service. ®

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