§ The Earl of Northeskasked Her Majesty's Government:
What plans they have to ensure that pricing of digital subscriber line (DSL) does not act as an obstacle to its take-up. [HL1171]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville)The Office of Telecommunications (Oftel) monitors the market to ensure that BT complies with its legal obligations under the Competition Act and the 135WA terms of its licence. In addition, local loop unbundling enables competing operators and service providers to create their own DSL products. The Minister for e-Commerce has challenged industry to reduce its costs and consumer prices further. The cost of wholesale ADSL has fallen in 2001.