iomart Group plc, based in Glasgow, announced that it is one of
the successful applicants to be given the right to install its own
broadband digital subscriber line (DSL) infrastructure in BT's
local exchanges. The company will begin installation in BT
exchanges in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee during early
2001 as the first phase of a wider UK programme.
However, the company said that it has been excluded from the
busiest exchanges in the centres of these areas. iomart CEO Angus
MacSween is reported in FT.com as saying: “BT are saying these
exchanges are full, but I know for a fact that they are not because
I have been in some of them.”
Observing that the unbundling of local loop networks has
progressed in continental Europe as a result of legal action
against monopolies, MacSween added, “If this doesn’t get sorted out
soon, we will take legal action against BT – on the basis that its
behaviour is anti-competitive – either as part of a wider industry
group, or on our own. We are also considering whether to take
action against Oftel.”
Oftel has said that it will investigate exchanges in which BT
cliams there is insufficient space for rivals’ equipment.
