Ofcom moots deregulation of broadband market

Ofcom, the broadcast regulator, has announced it will deregulate a majority of the UK wholesale broadband market because competition is thriving. It says regulation is no longer necessary because 70% of the market is served by effective competition.

It says it will review areas where there is strong competition between suppliers is “functioning effectively” and will scrap regulation where appropriate after a public consultation.

The regulator says measures will affect areas that have four or more wholesale broadband providers but no one company has significant market dominance.

However, Ofcom adds that certain parts of the country do not enjoy a similar level of technology. It will retain regulations where competition is not strong, and one provider dominates the market. This requires BT and KCOM, in Hull, to provide access to their networks on a fair and reasonable basis.