It has already been six weeks since telecommunications regulator
OFTEL ordered BT to give ISPs the facility at wholesale prices.
Until BT does this, ISPs cannot provide users with cost-effective
fixed-fee internet access.
Several ISPs are keen to offer these services but are restricted
by the telephone rental charges currently imposed by BT. It has
been noted that BT already operates its own fixed rate service
called Surftime.
The systems manager of ISP Claranet, Steve Rawlinson, said “this
additional delay is only in BT’s favour. You would expect BT to act
in its own interests, but Oftel needs to pull its finger out”.
OFTEL will only be able to take action against BT if it receives
complaints from ISPs on the matter. It is expected to be at least
another fortnight before the discussion between BT and the ISPs
will be settled.
