Ofcom tells BT to open up cable network to rivals to improve internet connections

Claire Brophy, Manager of Jamilla Paul Hair and Beauty, frustrated at BT phone outage

Communications watchdog Ofcom has said BT must open up its cable network and allow competition to improve UK internet connections.

Earlier this year, Rochdale Online reported on the thousands of homes and business in Rochdale that were cut off for weeks when flood water damaged underground cables and severed phone and internet connections.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/100401/bt-phone-outage-leaves-businesses-suffering

BT Openreach, which is solely responsible for maintaining and repairing the UK’s communications infrastructure, was heavily criticised for its slow response to the crisis.

Small business, which were unable to process card payments, were particularly hard hit.

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk Danczuk raised the issue in Parliament, calling for Openreach to be separated from its owners BT and for the infrastructure network to be opened to other phone and internet providers.

Ofcom has so far stopped short of demanding a complete break-up of BT, but said this was still an option.

Mr Danczuk said: “The shoddy performance by Openreach in the wake of the flooding in Rochdale heaped misery on home and business owners who had already suffered greatly.

“After years of underperformance, I am delighted that Openreach will no longer be able to exploit its monopoly and get away with such poor customer service and dismal broadband speeds.

“It will be small comfort to the businesses in Rochdale who were pushed to the very brink of closure, but this move should go some way to ensure this never happens again.”