By: Russ
Ofcom seeks comment on access to BT’s 21CN
Ofcom’s consultation document, released on 25 Nov 2004, is available here.
Some nuggets:
* Mass migration to BT’s 21st Century Network (21CN) is estimated to hit 50% by 2008.
* The 21CN is ultra-cool and futuristic.
* Ofcom want to ensure that the 21CN ‘accommodates competition from the outset’, but Ofcom won’t ‘become involved in the detailed design of BT’s network’ [they’re too busy designing the media networks ~ Russ]
* The questions are mostly about access: (i) where will retail competitors obtain access (how close to the customer) and (ii) what type of access (from a technical perspective) will that be. Ofcom are also concerned that its regulations do not stiffle investment in other networks, with the industry merely relying on BT. Accordingly, Ofcom asks how it can ‘promote a favourable investment climate for the industry as a whole’.
* The consultation closes on 13 Jan 2005.
Activity