Intelligent Communications Update 11th September 2007
BT in dispute with Cable & Wireless
BT is under an obligation to Ofcom to provide local loop unbundling services as soon as reasonably practicable and on fair and reasonable terms, conditions and charges as Ofcom may direct from time to time.
It would appear that there is a dispute between BT and CWA over this matter as Cable and Wireless allege that BT overcharged for local loop unbundling by sometimes charging customers for new lines when it could have offered existing ones selling itself inputs for the wholesale access market at more favourable terms than it offered C&W. The allegations cover a period between late 2004 and mid 2006. This allegation had been previously been made to Ofcom which was subsequently withdrawn.
There is a condition which requires BT not to unduly discriminate against particular persons or against a particular description of persons, in relation to matters connected with Network Access.
BT does not accept C&WA’s claims. Ofcom recognises that on the face of the referral, there appears to be a dispute between the parties that commercial negotiations have failed to resolve.
In resolving disputes Ofcom must act in accordance with the six Community requirements that give effect to Article 8 of the Framework Directive.
Apple Looking at Wirelss Spectrum up for Auction
One piece of good news offered by Apple this week is the announcement that it has sold over 1 million iphones. This helps to dispel some of the fears that had gathered around the sales of the iphone, Apple said they reached this figure 3 weeks ahead of the target date, although sales had been helped by the recent price cut.
It is hoped that the iphone will help users to see mobile phones as mini-PC’s rather than just texting and calling devices.
This may be held up as it is believed some 88% of companies had no means for tracking corporate data on employees mobile devices. The number of mobile devices that are lost or stolen, reported to be some 60,000 in the UK alone every month, does not just mean a loss of data for the individual it can result in damaging an organizations reputation.