RSL Communications has accused Oftel, the UK telecommunications
watchdog, of failing in its duty to ensure fair competition between
BT and its rival companies in developing high-speed internet
services. The criticism comes as other US companies, Global
Crossing and Worldcom, also abandon plans for offering high-speed
access in the UK, amid criticism over BT’s the “unbundling”
process.
The company, which provides telecoms services in 30 countries,
is aiming to offer broadband services throughout Europe but has
taken the decision to withdraw from the first round of bidding in
the “unbundling” of BT’s local loop. Oftel ordered that BT open
competition to the connections between local telephone exchanges
and individuals’ homes and businesses by July 2001. Some telecom
companies have said that Oftel has not done enough to ensure that
BT does not delay the unbundling process to protect its local
monopoly, the last monopoly of BT to be opened to competition.
According to reports on BBC business news, RSL said BT was being
given an advantage in the prime residential and business markets
because other service providers could apply for space only in the
least populated exchanges, often in rural and less prosperous
areas.
