12 September 2007
The number of Local Loop Unbundled (LLU) lines in the UK has reached 2.997 million, the Office of the Telecommunications Adjudicator (OTA) has revealed, however more needs to be done to ensure further repairs and upgrades are carried out.
In the body's August update, the OTA announced that there are now 4.33 million WLR (wholesale line rental) lines and 5.81 million telephone numbers currently using CPS (Carrier Pre-Select) in the UK.
However it also noted that fully unbundled lines - those where an internet service provider (ISP) takes over provision of both telephone and broadband lines - had experienced a 20% failure rate.
In a statement the OTA wrote that it was "disappointed" with the results of the latest LLU study.
"Despite the significant progress that had been made there were still areas that did not match industry's aspirations," it said.
Local Loop Unbundling (LLU) is the process where incumbent operators, such as BT, make their local network (the copper cables that run from customers premises to the telephone exchange) available to other companies. Operators can then upgrade individual lines using DSL technology to offer services on high speed internet access, direct to the customer.
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