Ofcom welcomes BT's super-fast broadband plans

"A critical part of the UK's infrastructure"

15 July 2008 13:41 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

Following BT's announcment regarding plans to invest £1.5 billion in "super-fast" fibre-based broadband network for the UK, Ofcom has issued a statement saying that it has "welcomed BT's plans".

Ed Richards, Ofcom chief executive, said: "This is a clear sign that the UK market is moving in the right direction, with a growing number of plans to deliver super-fast broadband services to consumers."

"These new networks will be a critical part of the UK's infrastructure and will change our experience of communications. They will support and deliver innovative applications and services as well as helping create new opportunities for businesses of all kinds."

"The UK has among the most competitive and widely available current generation broadband markets in the world. This new step will ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of developments."

"Industry cannot achieve a move as significant as the launch of super-fast broadband on its own. Ofcom has led the way in prompting a debate about the regulatory environment for super-fast broadband deployment. With this announcement industry will need further regulatory detail and that is exactly what Ofcom will provide."

"Firstly, given the potential consumer benefits, regulation needs to provide the right incentives for operators to invest, recognising the inherently risky nature of these investments."

"Secondly, we want to continue to promote a vibrant competitive environment as we enter the next generation of communications services."

"Thirdly, we are already working closely with communications providers, and our wider stakeholders, to ensure there is a concerted dialogue on the regulatory environment to support investment and competition."

"Building on these discussions and our policy work over the last two years, we will be publishing further detailed proposals for the regulatory framework for Next Generation Access networks in September."