Government-Funded broadband should have wholesale access says BT

From the BBC license fee, about 530 million Pounds, has been set aside to pay as subsidy for the rollout of broadband in the rural areas where the deployment is not commercially viable meaning that the rural areas would be the prime beneficiaries.

BT, the giant in the telecoms sector said that where Government money is spent for broadband networking, wholesale access should be provided. Providing access to a section of the population alone is not justifiable. Publicly-funded broadband networks should provide equal access to all sections of the population irrespective of the locality.

The Government’s Communications Review called for responses and BT said that any communications firm which avails Government funding should provide wholesale access to the network. At present BT is doing the same. Concentrating in the city areas and neglecting the rural areas cannot be justified and it is legally questionable.

BT appealed the Conservative-led coalition Government to ensure the government funding for the broadband improvement. It also urged the Government to see that the funds are spent cost-effectively ensuring fair competition and consumer choice. The department for Culture, Media and Sport, published almost 170 responses to the Communications Review on December 7th. Many letters requested the Government not to impose unnecessary changes on the industry unless it brings benefits to consumers.