Oftel are making very tough decisions to deliver unbundling and to deliver an increasingly competitive telecoms market. They have the government's full support. BT has been accused of dragging its feet and of denying suppliers access to its most lucrative local exchanges. They are concerned that the erstwhile monopoly will gain a lead in the deployment of digital technology which upgrades copper wires for broad band use to carry high speed internet or even television transmissions. Ms Hewitt is today in Luxembourg for a meeting to approve draft EU regulations on the opening of the local loop to competition - the last mile from local exchanges to the home or business.
Incumbents have their own commercial positions to protect.
It's very easy for people to complain - sometimes they are justified, sometimes not. The process of breaking up the local loop has broad political implications. In the US, where unbundling took place some time ago, the advent of competition has driven prices down and increased the use of high speed internet services. Oftel is expected to issue a consultation document within the next two weeks setting out the options for how space in BT local exchanges will be divided between the various rivals. At present demand far outstrips the space available in more popular exchanges.