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UK communications regulator Ofcom has revealed major proposals to accelerate investment in full-fibre broadband, under the Wholesale Fixed Telecoms Market Review 2021-26. Te four-point plan includes
improving the business case for fibre investment in rural areas by seting Openreach’s wholesale prices in a way that encourages competition from new networks. In these areas, Ofcom proposed that the wholesale price Openreach charges retail providers for its entry-level (40Mb/s) superfast broadband service is capped to inflation. Te incumbent will be able to charge a small premium for regulated products if they are delivered over full-fibre, to help the business case. Its fastest fibre services would remain free from pricing regulation, to support the investment race between network builders. Openreach’s wholesale charges
on its copper broadband services would also be capped. To prevent competition being stifled, it would be restricted from being able to offer discounts. In more sparsely-populated rural areas, the regulator supports investment by Openreach, allowing the incumbent to recover investment
costs across the wholesale prices of a wider range of services, reducing the risk of its investment. Tis follows the announcement by government of a £5bn investment to reach the most challenging 20 per cent of the UK. Ofcom said it also recognises the
need to retire ageing copper wires, and plans to remove regulation on Openreach’s copper products in areas where full-fibre is built to support switching customers over. Te watchdog said it will protect customers during the transition by transferring its regulation – including price protections – from copper to new fibre services. Jonathan Oxley, Ofcom interim
chief executive, said: ‘Tese plans will help fuel a full-fibre future for the whole country. We’re removing the remaining roadblocks to investment and supporting competition, so companies can build networks that will drive the UK into the digital fast lane.’ Natalie Hitchins, head of home
products and services at Which? said: ‘Te regulator’s proposals to support investment in full-fibre, including plans to help improve connectivity in rural areas, are encouraging and should bring us closer to ensuring that no one is leſt behind by poor access to
NETWORK OVERHAUL SET FOR UK REGION
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council has selected network service provider MLL Telecom to overhaul and consolidate its existing network infrastructures. Te project will see the company
replace several incumbent providers to consolidate three separate Wide Area Networks (WANs), totalling 83 sites, into one unified network. Tis will enhance capacity, while supporting a number of new services and
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solutions, including migration to Office 365, deployment of Skype for business, and cloud-first programs based on Microsoſt Azure. Te network overhaul will futureproof BCP Council’s digital strategy and help improve business efficiency and service delivery. MLL Telecom will complete
the works using a combination of CityFibre and Openreach’s circuits. BCP will also benefit from the provider’s existing presence in, and knowledge of, the region. It was
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recently chosen by Portsmouth City Council to provide connectivity services on the new Solent Network framework, and is also providing access to the Health and Social Care Network for hospitals, GP practices and other NHS sites in the region. Marc Biondic, IT infrastructure
manager, at BCP Council said: ‘Following our merger with Poole and Christchurch back in April, we have recognised the need to re-assess our connectivity solutions. We’re excited to be embarking on
this project with MLL Telecom to future-proof connectivity needs and underpin our digital growth strategy.’ Jeremy Wastie, regional director,
MLL Telecom said: ‘Te South is proving to be an exciting region for network innovation and transformation. Te BCP Council merger is a clear example of why it is key to continually assess connectivity solutions.’ Phase one of the project should be completed in March.
Issue 26 n Winter 2020 n FiBRE SYSTEMS 5
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PLAN FOR UK FULL-FIBRE INJECTION
online services. But for people to truly benefit from these plans and investments, Ofcom, government and industry must work together, learning lessons from the slow take-up of superfast broadband, to ensure that consumers understand the benefits of these new, more reliable connections, and are encouraged to take them up.’ Tristia Harrison, chief executive
at TalkTalk, said: ‘We fully support the goal of accelerating full fibre roll-out in Britain. We are clear, however, that a competitive market is the only way to deliver this goal. It’s essential the regulatory environment allows competition and investment to thrive. Ofcom must avoid raising wholesale
prices too early, and only do so when competition has been established.’ Greg Mesch, chief executive
at CityFibre said: ‘We believe the direction of travel Ofcom is taking to ensure national coverage and help establish the at-scale competitors is essential to maintaining a healthy infrastructure market for the long term is right, but we would like to see it move further and faster. While we are encouraged by Ofcom’s recognition of the risks of volume discounts and geographic pricing to damage competition before it can scale, we would like it to be even more proactive in addressing these issues.’
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