Oftel’s BT Ruling Should Bring Down Dial-Up Internet Costs
The cost of unmetered dial-up internet access could be reduced by service providers, following a ruling by Oftel that will force BT to bring down the amount it charges operators to use its network.
Following an investigation into BT’s charging practice, the telecommunications watchdog is forcing the company to reduce its fees by 17%. Oftel concluded that BT has been charging operators for certain call routing and call management measures that are no longer necessary.
The reduction will be backdated to June 2002, the date from which these additional measures were not needed because BT had upgraded its network.
David Edmonds, the director general of telecommunications, says that he hopes the savings made by internet service providers following this ruling will be passed on to their customers.
“The action taken ensures that BT continue to recoup the cost of providing wholesale unmetered internet access, and that UK consumers continue to benefit from one of the most competitive dial-up internet markets in the world,” he said.
However, whilst these changes benefits may bring down the price of dial-up access, the main focus of growth in the internet access sector is currently on broadband services. BT says that demand for high-speed services is on the increase and that it can now offer ADSL services to around 90% of UK homes (see BT Reveals Increasing Demand For Broadband).
Oftel: 020 7634 8761 www.oftel.gov.uk
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