The review was carried out in response to a request from BT to reduce regulatory obligations that apply to wholesale dial-up internet services because it believes that the relevant markets are now competitive.
Oftel said that, before a final decision can be taken on whether to remove regulation on these services, competition in the markets for wholesale call origination and internet call termination still have to be assessed.
Oftel claims that the market for internet connectivity is “effectively competitive”. Oftel is now consulting on its initial conclusions and says it will consider responses as part of its competition review of dial-up internet access. Its review is due for publication at the end of this year.