March 2006
Welcome
Welcome to the third edition of our occasional updates on BT's delivery of its Undertakings. In this issue we offer a little more detail behind the structure and operation of Openreach; look at the operation of the Equality of Access Board; and offer an update on Openreach’s plans to deliver Wholesale Extension Services equivalence of input.
In response to feedback we will also include in these bulletins a brief introduction to the intent behind the various sections of the Undertakings - in this issue we cover product equivalence.
Previous editions of our bulletin can be found through the links on this page. Ofcom's recent quarterly report on BT's Undertakings can be found here.
Our intention is to issue a fresh report roughly once a month between now and June, and to review the frequency of publication thereafter. As ever, your feedback, both on what we say and on what you would like us to cover, is welcome and should be sent to undertakings@bt.com
Peter McCarthy-Ward
BT Director of Equivalence
If you have any questions regarding the content of this bulletin please email undertakings@bt.com
The Undertakings state that 'The role of the EAB is a general one of monitoring, reporting and advising BT on BT's compliance with these Undertakings and the Code of Practice, with a specific focus on the provision of products on an Equivalence of Inputs basis and the operation of AS [Openreach]'.
The Equality of Access Board (EAB) and the Equality of Access Office (EAO) are fully operational. Summaries of the EAB’s work are now published regularly.
The Undertakings require SMPF and MPF to be used for asymmetric and symmetric IPStream from 30 June 2006. As well as meeting the obligations set out in the Undertakings by providing an equivalent service to both downstream BT and external Communications Providers, Openreach fully intends to meet customers' requirements and requests by providing as much as possible of the requested functionality within this timeline.
By 30 June 2006 BT’s IPStream product needs to consume LLU from Openreach on the same terms as external CPs, as part of delivering Equivalence of Input for SMPF and MPF.
Jo Upward, Director, Industry Development, sent out invitations in mid February to the next Industry Briefing Events on BT's Undertakings. These events are being held on the 13 and 16 March.
View complete article "Further Undertakings Industry Events Planned"
Following on from the launch of Openreach in January, we take the time to introduce who’s who in the Openreach organisation and provide a focus on John Small, Managing Director Service, who gives us an insight into his new role and his goals for the future.
As part of BT’s continuing effort to encourage understanding of the Undertakings we have included a summary of the meaning of the term ‘equivalence’.
One of the major milestones that Openreach must deliver this year is the launch of Wholesale Extension Service (WES) products on an Equivalence of Inputs basis by 30 September.
View complete article "Openreach's Wholesale Extension Services EoI Developments"
A major programme of communications, training and engagement was launched across BT in December 2005 to ensure that all our people are aware of what the Undertakings are and how they affect the way they work and make decisions.
View complete article "BT People Continue to Learn More about the Undertakings"