Ofcom to Set up New Openreach Monitoring Unit -Update
14 July 2017 - 3:34AM
Dow Jones News
(Adds Openreach comment).
By Ian Walker
LONDON-- The U.K. Office of Communications said Thursday it is
setting up a new dedicated Openreach monitoring unit to assess
whether new governance rules are being observed, and whether
Openreach is acting more independently of BT.
The move is part of a plan to ensure Openreach, BT Group PLC's
(BT.A.LN) network unit, meets certain requirements and is
accountable for its actions once it becomes legally separated from
BT.
"Ofcom will closely monitor BT's compliance with its new
commitments, and how effectively Openreach serves the whole
industry. We will measure how far Openreach is improving its
network and helping to deliver better quality of service," the
regulator said.
It added that if the new Openreach wasn't working, or BT was
failing to comply with its commitments, Ofcom would revisit the
model and consider new measures to address any concerns.
"We support Ofcom's statement and we're getting on with the job
of creating a more independent Openreach," a spokesperson for
Openreach said.
"There are still some preconditions that need to be met before
Openreach is fully incorporated, but we're acting like Openreach
Limited already," the spokesperson added.
BT agreed in March to separate Openreach into a distinct company
with its own staff, management and strategy, and a legal purpose to
serve all its customers equally.
-Write to Ian Walker at ian.walker@wsj.com; @IanWalk40289749
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
July 13, 2017 13:19 ET (17:19 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2017 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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