The arguments over the future of BT, and its ownership of the local telephone network - vital real estate for internet and telephony providers - came to something of a head today. As we report:
The former monopoly said it had agreed with the telecoms regulator Ofcom to guarantee rivals equal access to its local network. Ofcom said the deal would help drive down the price of calls, connections and services for consumers and businesses.
As part of the agreement with Ofcom, BT will set up a new Access Services unit to provide rivals with transparent and equal access to its nationwide local network on the same terms as those enjoyed by its own BT Retail consumer arm.
I'll admit I'm a little sceptical as to whether Access Services will open up the network as much as it needs - after all, it will still be under the BT umbrella - but it's a step in the right direction.
On a side note, I saw an advert from the Post Office offering phone services the other night. Things come full circle...
