§ Jim DowdTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on progress in completing the non-BT cable network, as set out in the terms of the Telecommunications Act 1984. [77348]
§ Mr. TimmsCable networks currently pass approximately 50 per cent. of UK households. Decisions on whether to extend coverage further are a commercial matter for the cable company concerned, as network expansion is no longer dictated by the build milestones in a cable operator's Telecommunications Act licence. Cable franchises, when originally granted, contained a balance of exclusivity and build milestones. Since 1998, the exclusivity of the franchises has been progressively removed to enable greater competition in the provision of communications services. This process was completed on 1 January 2001. In recognition of this, cable operators' licences are no longer subject to build milestones.