Uswitch comments on Ofcom’s ten year Strategic Review of Digital Communications
Commenting on the results of Ofcom’s Strategic Review of Digital Communications, Richard Neudegg, Head of Regulation at Uswitch.com says: “An Ofcom review into Openreach’s future is much needed. Under scrutiny is its quality of service, incentive to invest in the UK’s broadband network and how to open up more of its infrastructure to other providers – all questions that require a thoughtful resolution.
“By attempting a repeat of the tactics used in its decade-old Strategic Review and leaving open referring BT to a competition authority – which could separate out what is now Openreach from the rest of BT – Ofcom is clearly hoping to force significant change on how Openreach operates within BT Group. But this will not happen overnight.
“While important, it could create a convenient distraction for the industry, and we urge Ofcom not to lose sight of the other issues considered in its review – especially when there are genuine threats to consumer engagement and competition which must be tackled.
“For consumers, the communications market is becoming harder to navigate. A shift towards multi-play deals that bundle together broadband, fixed line, mobile and television could become more common following the recent merger of giants EE and BT. But bundle prices are trickier to compare, and can also make things harder for unhappy customers to leave.
“Many people can save up to £157 a year just by switching their broadband and home phone provider, so we don’t want a situation where customers feel afraid to switch because it’s just too complicated or time consuming.
“Ofcom has rightly acknowledged some of these consumer issues in its review – but the task now is to get on with implementing some remedies.”
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