BT to speed up local loop process

BT has announced plans to accelerate the process of opening up its local networks to competitors, but Oftel said that further improvements are needed to move the plans forward.

The telco, which has been accused of being sluggish in its approach to allowing rivals access to its exchanges, said that it put forward proposals for making "rapid progress" in local loop unbundling at an Oftel forum attended by representatives of other UK telecoms operators.

According to BT, "firm proposals" have been developed as a result of experience gained while working with the industry.

The telco said its plans offer the industry the opportunity to work with BT to launch local loop unbundling in 600 exchange areas between January and June of next year - 190 where operators have equipment and 410 where operators have equipment in adjacent buildings.

"We are looking at making the process of local loop unbundling a quicker one and are working with other organisations to do this," said a BT spokesman. "Things can move faster when you work together."

Ian Morfett, BT's director of regulatory affairs, said: "BT is working flat out on the complex process of unbundling. It has delivered all its commitments to date in a challenging programme and is determined to maintain that record. We need the rest of the industry to play its part in turn to meet our common objectives."

BT's proposals include adding a new phase to local loop unbundling from January, which will allow lines to be manually unbundled earlier for all operators who have established locations. BT also said that its proposals will speed up the initial surveying of exchanges, reduce delays in building work and provide penalty payments for late delivery.

Last month, the European Parliament approved a proposed law requiring incumbent telcos to allow their competitors to provide high-speed services over the last mile of local copper loops from 1 January.

BT has denied suggestions that the regulation, which is expected to come into force within a few weeks, and increasing criticism from rivals has forced it to move quicker to make its exchanges available.

"The process of unbundling in the UK began this spring and is moving very quickly. We are learning all the time and can put things we have learnt into practice. The mechanisms are already in place for unbundling, and overcoming problems such as co-location and security power supplies means we can make the process a quicker one," said the BT spokesman.

Oftel said that this morning's forum was open to "any operator who has an interest in local loop unbundling".

Anne Lambert, the watchdog's director of operations, said: "BT has today committed itself to clear time scales for the preparation of exchange sites where its competitors can install their equipment. However, Oftel has made it clear to BT that it expects further improvements to be made."

"There is a lot more work to be done by Oftel, BT and the operators. But today gives a sound basis for taking the process forward," she added.