TalkTalk, Sky, Vodafone, and the Federation of Communication Services have launched a campaign called Fix Britains Internet, urging broadband customers to voice their opinion on Openreach.
Earlier this week, Ofcom ruled that Openreach should become a distinct company within the BT Group, but not an entirely separate company – it`ll still be attached to BT. That`s not the final decision though. The consultation is still ongoing, with Ofcom seeking thoughts from broadband users and industry bodies – and that`s where Fix Britain`s Internet comes in.
A number of providers feel that Openreach in fact ought to be completely independent body, fully separate from BT, something which Ofcom felt would be too complicated and risky. Providers, however, feel that Openreach hasn`t been handled properly under BT, and are calling for action.
“The internet is essential to our lives and futures,” TalkTalk CEO Dido Harding said. “It shouldn’t just work for the benefit of one large company, it should work for everyone. For too long now though, UK broadband users have been let down by promises of improvement which neve materialises. It`s time for brave, bold action by Ofcom to solve the problem once and for all.”
Legal separation of Openreach from BT would benefit other providers who use the Openreach network, not least because it would mean they`re no longer reliant on a rival provider`s infrastructure, though how it would work out for consumers is still up for debate.
Some providers think it would mean more fibre rollouts, especially to hard-to-reach areas – although Ofcom has already ruled that Openreach must invest more money in this anyway – and less admin and red tape.