According to the proposals, customers switching to alternative
service providers will deal only with their new providers,
receiving one bill and dealing directly with the them to resolve
any queries or complaints. Also, calls to operator services such as
151 will be connected directly to the service providers rather than
having to go through BT.
Finally, BT will be required to provide an agreed level of
technical support, so that customers of alternative providers get
the same level of service as BT customers.
David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications, said the
move would give new providers more freedom to compete on price and
customer services. He added that UK consumers are already switching
to alternative service providers, with around 2.5 million homes
using indirect access services to switch their calls onto cheaper
networks.
Oftel is inviting public comments on the proposals and has
published the Wholesale Line Rental consultation document which is
available at:
www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/whole_line/2002/wlr1102.htm
