Fluidata boss slams complaints over BT duct and pole pricing

Friday, April 8th 2011
Piers Daniell has questioned the validity of complaints about the price BT charges for wholesale use of its infrastructure.
Fluidata boss slams complaints over BT duct and pole pricing
The major internet service providers (ISPs) and network operators that criticised BT's pricing structure and terms and conditions for wholesale access to its ducts and poles have been accused of carrying an ulterior motive.

Earlier this week, an alliance of telecoms firms - including TalkTalk, Virgin Media and Fujitsu - sent a letter to communications minister Ed Vaizey warning that they could boycott the application process for Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) funding unless BT revises its proposed rates.

They claimed the amount BT plans to charge for use of its infrastructure makes in "unviable" for any other company in the industry to compete for the BDUK cashpot, which has been established to encourage the rollout of super-fast broadband in rural areas.

However, Piers Daniell - the managing director of business broadband provider Fluidata - argued BT has come in for unfair criticism, given that its wholesale access prices are typically 15 per cent less than those charged by its counterparts in France and Germany.

He claimed some members of the group are using the issue as an excuse not to apply for the BDUK money when in reality they have little or no interest in bringing broadband to areas with a low population density.

Instead, these companies want access to BT's ducts and poles in towns and cities where their coverage needs expanding, Mr Daniell stated.

The Fluidata chief added: "It is a shame that the important work by BDUK in focusing resources to the final third of homes and businesses is being used as a football within our own industry to gain commercial advantage over each other."

BT has also hit back at the comments made in the letter to Mr Vaizey, with a spokesman remarking: "The fact is our proposed prices for duct access compare very well with European averages, whilst our plans for pole access have been held up due to others delaying our trials."

Related Stories

Millions of Britons are living with broadband speeds that do not live up to their expectations.
Communications providers across the UK need to improve their level of service, Ofcom has stated.
Broadband customers are to be given powers to switch providers if their service does not meet their expectations.
An investment in superfast broadband will benefit homes and businesses across Dorset.
A new pilot scheme will aim to bring superfast broadband to hard-to-reach areas across North Lincolnshire.
Businesses across Lincolnshire are crying out for improved broadband services.

Add a comment

Comment
Your name
Your e-mail address

Comments (0)

Home  |  Guides  |  Links  |  Local  |  Sitemap  |  Privacy Policy  |  Terms
Copyright © 2005-2024 Broadbandchoice.co.uk. All rights reserved.