ADSL Roll-out

HL Deb 28 February 2001 vol 622 c144WA

The Earl of Northesk

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the roll-out so far of Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) installations by British Telecom has provided adequate opportunity for all Internet Service Providers to compete fairly in the market. [HL803]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

BT was required by OFTEL to make available its wholesale ADSL products to all service providers, including its own service provider business, on the same terms and conditions. OFTEL monitors BT's ADSL roll-out closely to ensure that BT does not engage in anticompetitive behaviour in breach of its licence or the Competition Act. OFTEL investigates carefully any allegations of anti-competitive behaviour and will take enforcement action where appropriate. Already over 40 service providers are marketing ADSL products in competition with BT.