September 17, 2001—The British Office of Telecommunications (Oftel) intervened August 23, 2001, to determine the service levels that British Telecom (BT) must offer to other operators wanting to unbundle BT local loops and the compensation BT must pay if it fails to meet those levels.
It is the first time that the telecoms regulator has formally intervened to set service level standards. Following a statutory consultation period, these standards will be imposed by requiring BT to amend its existing contract.
In May 2001, operators complained that although Oftel had earlier determined that BT must offer an agreement specifying levels of service, BT’s offer had been inadequate. Oftel decided that much of the complaint was justified and that BT’s offer did not meet the requirements of Oftel’s earlier Determination. As a result, Oftel proposes a significant redraft of the contract between BT and the operators.
For more information about Oftel’s intervention, visit Oftel. Local loop unbundling: The Terms of the Access Network Facilities Agreement – Statement and Determination is also available from Oftel.
