A coalition of challenger telcos and their representatives have released their own plan for the future of Openreach.
Sky, TalkTalk, INCA (Independent Networks Cooperative Association) and FCS (Federation of Communications Services) would prefer a structural separation of Openreach from BT Group, but say they are ready to work with a reformed organisation.
The intervention comes in the form of an open letter to Ofcom chief executive Sharon White.
The coalition’s objectives are:
- Reforming Openreach’s governance so that it can act independently
- Giving Openreach the tools it needs to function as a world-leading network operator.
- Creating an Openreach that delivers for all of its customers on an equal basis.
Included in the proposals are the establishment of Openreach as a fully independent company, which the coalition says would allow it to agree a contract with a customer, employ staff, and own assets, just as any other UK company does; the appointment of an independent body to oversee transition and act as an adjudicator; and allowing BT to use providers other than Openreach.
