Six million unbundled lines now in UK

Recently released data has shown that there are now six million unbundled lines in the UK that enable providers to access BT’s copper network.

The UK communications regulator Ofcom has revealed figures recently that show there are now six million unbundled lines in the UK that offer access to BT’s copper network to other service providers. The regulator also said that there are now thirty different companies that provide residential homes and businesses with unbundled services through the network.

Officials from Ofcom also said that the larger number of broadband providers offering unbundled services had led to prices being driven down and the popularity of broadband increasing. One official stated: “This has delivered the dual benefits of driving up broadband take-up and driving down prices.”

BT first made its copper network available to rival providers back in 2005, and this was the result of a legal arrangement with Ofcom. At that time only thirty seven percent of small businesses and homes had access to broadband services. However, by the first quarter of this year the number of households and small businesses with access to broadband had shot up to sixty eight percent.

Ofcom said that in 2005 “…there were just 123,000 unbundled lines in the U.K. and the majority of people could only get their broadband and landline telephone service from one provider – BT.” The regulator also illustrated how prices for broadband services had plummeted during this time, stating that in 2005 consumers were paying an average of just over twenty three pounds for their service, but this year the average price for the same service is just under fourteen pounds.

Source – Total Tele