Telcos applaud BT break-up plan

Telecoms industry experts have welcomed Computing's disclosure that Ofcom chairman Lord Currie co-wrote a report advocating the restructuring of BT.

The report, released in May, said that separation of BT's network and supply businesses would help the telecoms sector develop beyond the need for regulatory intervention (Computing, 5 September).

Separation is probably the only way to achieve regulatory withdrawal, says Richard Sweet, head of regulation at Thus.

'Regulation is not working properly at the moment because BT is getting more sophisticated,' he said.

Restructuring is not an issue that will go away, says Telewest public policy advisor Malcolm Taylor.

'The key consideration is that the local loop is upgraded to broadband. Whether restructuring is the right way to do this is open to question,' said Taylor.

An Energis spokesman said: 'Restructuring BT is one potential solution to the problems posed by BT's ability to discriminate against alternative network operators but it would take a long time and we need action now.'

And Colt head of regulation Paul Brisby said: 'I'm delighted to see Lord Currie is open to radical ideas.'

A BT spokesman said: 'The concern of the report is to promote deregulation and we endorse that. But we do not agree with its proposal for achieving this.'

Lord Currie was not available for comment.