21/02/2002

Oftel urges BT to cut internet costs

Telecommunications regulator Oftel has recommended that BT slash their costs for unmetered Internet access.

Oftel wants BT to cut the amount it charges Internet service providers to use their existing telephone network by seven per cent.

The seven per cent cut is based on information, collated by Oftel over the past year and a half, on BT’s costs for providing wholesale unmetered Internet access to other operators under the Flat Rate Internet Access Call Origination (FRIACO) arrangements.

David Edmonds Director General of Telecommunications said: "Oftel believes that there is room for a seven per cent cut in BT’s wholesale charge for unmetered Internet access, and operators should ultimately be able to pass some or all of this saving on to their customers.

"Cuts in BT’s charges for FRIACO will mean UK consumers will continue to enjoy some of the cheapest prices in Europe for Internet access."

Consultation on the planned changes runs until March 19. Oftel will announce their final decision in the Spring.

(AMcE)

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