Oftel demands that telcos sort out service quality differences

Oftel chairman David Edmonds has indicated that he will put his foot down over QoS issues as BT prepares to open its last mile infrastructure to rival operators.

The telecoms regulator will amend BT's Calls and Access Service Provider contract, which currently specifies that the telco can unilaterally change the terms and conditions relating to quality of services it can offer to third parties that lease access provision from it.

Edmonds said that BT and interested parties have until 29 September to discuss and resolve QoS provision issues. "If they are unable to come to an agreement, I will consider using my powers to set standards," he said.

The move is a response to fears expressed by rival operators that adverse publicity about quality issues could hamper take-up of services. New entrants have also complained that, because of the existing contract, they were wary of creating demand for services they could not fulfill.

BT faced two charges from Oftel in 1999 of not providing the Calls and Access product to a standard adequate enough to enable service providers to deliver an acceptable service to its end-users.