Rival telcos should be able to use their own - and BT's - networks to provide broadband services, telecoms watchdog Oftel announced today.

Currently, operators wanting to offer DSL services must either buy BT's wholesale broadband products at BT's prices or install their own DSL equipment in BT's local exchanges.

Today's ruling follows pressure from rival telcos, Energis and Thus, which forces BT to offer ADSL interconnection services.

It means that operators will be able to offer broadband services using a combination of their own and BT's network and should lead to a wider range of wholesale and retail broadband services in competition with BT

This provision for interconnection must also be priced at a "non-discriminatory basis" enabling rival operators to compete with BT.

Oftel said it would ensure that pricing levels were competitive.

No one from Energis or Thus was available for comment at time of writing. ®