October 2006
Welcome to the latest issue of our occasional reports on the progress on delivery of the BT Undertakings. This time we are covering four product areas: IPstream, Wholesale Extension Services (WES), Backhaul Extension Services (BES) and Wholesale Line Rental (WLR). In addition we have updates on 21CN, complaints, and systems separation.
It is just over twelve months since the Undertakings came into effect. While considerable progress has been made, there is still a considerable distance to go. The delivery of product equivalence has begun, but it will be some time before the bulk of BT's retail customers for network access services where we have Significant Market Power are on an equivalent platform.
As we go to press probably a greater concern for Communications Providers, BT included, is quality of service. This is not itself an Undertakings issue, but an important aspect of Openreach and BT Wholesale performance. Both organisations recognise that current service levels are far from ideal and are doing everything in their power to improve service as soon as possible.
As ever your questions, feedback and comments are welcome. Please send these to undertakings@bt.com
Peter McCarthy-Ward
BT Director of Equivalence
If you would like a colleague to also receive this Bulletin then please email their name, email address, company name and job title to us at undertakings@bt.com
On the 30 September 2006, Openreach began supplying its Ethernet portfolio on an equivalence of inputs basis.
View complete article "WES/BES EoI Undertaking Successfully Delivered"
We will launch the Openreach WLR3 product by 31 December 2006. Under the Undertakings BT volunteered to seek to deliver analogue WLR equivalence by 31 December 2006, and is obliged to do so by 30 June 2007. This means BT using the WLR3 service on an equivalent basis for new supply of its retail line rental service.
Ofcom are consulting on a variation to the Undertakings clarifying what BT will deliver and when in terms of changes to its Management Information Systems. The consultation can be seen at http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/mis/.
View complete article "Ofcom Consults on a Variation to the MIS Undertakings"
BT Wholesale has started the programme to transfer all existing ADSL and SDSL broadband end users to the new Openreach Equivalence Management Platform (EMP) database.
BT has put in place processes to ensure that any complaints raised by Communication Providers in relation to the Undertakings are managed effectively.
The Undertakings contain a number of requirements on BT to ensure that it delivers its 21C Network in a way that ensures access is provided on an Equivalence of Inputs basis, that there is no foreclosure of network access and that BT consults fully with Communications Providers before finalising the design.
Ofcom produces a quarterly report on BT’s progress with the Undertakings. The report sets out Ofcom’s view of recent developments, ongoing commitments and outstanding issues around the Undertakings.