Oftel has today proposed that, as requested by Thus and Energis,
BT should connect the two operators to the BT network in order to
carry high-speed information services. Until now, neither Thus nor
Energis have been able to agree a deal with BT, and therefore
sought formal action by Oftel.
In a draft Determination issued today, Oftel sets a deadline by
which BT must conclude interconnection agreements with Energis and
Thus for Digital Subscriber Loop (DSL) services.
The proposed interconnection agreements with BT would enable
Energis and Thus to take their DSL services off BT's network at
specified points and onto their own networks. BT's current
wholesale DSL service is an end-to-end product which does not
enable network operators to use their own network
infrastructure.
The final Determination would give BT one month to conclude
negotiations with the two companies, with the interconnection
arrangement available three months from the date of the
Determination. If negotiations are not then concluded, Oftel could,
if asked, determine the detailed arrangements.
David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications, said:
"These further proposals by Oftel will
enable consumers to benefit from a range of competing alternatives
for the provision of new high-speed services. I want operators to
have a range of options for providing services including using BT's
services, unbundled local loops or using their own and BT's
network.
"The draft Determination sets a deadline for
BT to reach an agreement with the two operators and a further date
by which the operators should be able to connect with BT's network.
Oftel's proposals give operators another option to provide new
high-speed services to their customers in competition with BT."
Comments on the draft determination have been requested by 3rd
January 2001.
