BT unhappy with file sharing regulations from Ofcom

Following the release of a draft Code of Practise by Ofcom in relation to illegal file sharing communications giant BT has stated that bigger ISPs are being put at a disadvantage.

It was recently reported that the UK’s communications regulator, Ofcom, has released its draft Code of Practice with regards to action that needed to be taken over illegal file sharing in the UK. The draft outlined a number of proposals, but at present only the larger Internet providers will be affected, with those that have fewer than four hundred thousand subscribers being exempt from the regulations at present.

One of the major providers, BT broadband, has now stated that larger Internet service providers are being placed at a disadvantage because they are the ones being targeted. There are also concerns that those that are illegally file sharing may switch to smaller providers that are not tied to the regulations.

The Internet providers that are being tied to the proposed regulations are BT, Talk Talk, Virgin Media, Sky, Orange, O2 and the Post Office. No mobile broadband providers are to be included in the proposals as yet. Ofcom has stated that if it appears that illegal file sharers are starting to move to other companies with fewer subscribers they will review the matter.

In a recent statement BT said: “Our initial reaction is that Ofcom’s proposal to limit the obligations to just seven fixed operators and exclude mobile operators and fixed ISPs with less than 400k subscribers is concerning. The UK currently boasts a highly competitive broadband market and we believe that such a move has serious potential to distort the market.”

Source – Pc Pro