It has already been six weeks since telecommunications regulator OFTEL ordered BT to give ISPs the facility at wholesale prices. Until BT does this, ISPs cannot provide users with cost-effective fixed-fee internet access.
Several ISPs are keen to offer these services but are restricted by the telephone rental charges currently imposed by BT. It has been noted that BT already operates its own fixed rate service called Surftime.
The systems manager of ISP Claranet, Steve Rawlinson, said “this additional delay is only in BT’s favour. You would expect BT to act in its own interests, but Oftel needs to pull its finger out”.
OFTEL will only be able to take action against BT if it receives complaints from ISPs on the matter. It is expected to be at least another fortnight before the discussion between BT and the ISPs will be settled.