Brits look likely to be treated to much cheaper broadband in the near future, as a result of Ofcom lifting the long-standing price controls on BT's consumer business.
The comms regulator's latest move means that BT can now compete freely in an open market against competitors such as Virgin Media, offering discounted phone and broadband bundles that were previously outlawed by Ofcom.
Price wars
BT can now offer "triple-play" bundles of discounted land-line, TV and broadband offerings, with BT (obviously) welcoming the move, noting that it will now "be competing on a more level playing field than previously".
We expect to see new cheaper TV/broadband/phone packages being rolled out sometime later this autumn.
BT's retail boss Gavin Patterson is clearly happy about Ofcom lifting the restrictions, claiming the move is both "good news for consumers and businesses, as this will allow BT to offer more targeted discounts on products and services and more attractive bundles at better prices, something we have been unable to offer widely to date."
BT has 14 million landline customers, a whopping 56 per cent share of the landline market in the UK.
Competitors TalkTalk and BSkyB have both hit back at Ofcom's decision, with the latter describing the move as "irrational".
Via The Times
Your comments (4) Click to add a new comment
theweewelshman
September 20th 2009
4. I agree with the 2nd + 3rd posters, cheaper broadband in the UK hasn't normally meant better broadband.
I for one am happy to pay slightly more for my broadband knowing that it'll always be on when I want it, and also at the speeds I want too.
Since using broadband (98-99) I have always paid for the top packages and have therefore got the best access etc, only a few times have I gone for cheaper packages and I got what I paid for ... **** service!
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durbans
September 17th 2009
3. I'm in the process of leaving BT due to throttling reasons and the breed of idiot they hire as 'Customer Services Representatives'. They offered me £15/month for Broadband and Line Rental for a year (quite a deal!) but no matter how cheap it gets, if you value good service you WON'T use BT!
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keith2oo9
September 16th 2009
2. That's just great BT already throttle your connection to death in the evenings as it is, paying less is hardly going to improve things......
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optimaximal
September 16th 2009
1. 'Competitors TalkTalk and BSkyB have both hit back at Ofcom's decision, with the latter describing the move as "irrational".'
What rubbish - why do BSkyB always throw their toys out of the pram when someone is suddenly allowed to compete with them? Oh, right, Murdoch owns them...!
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