| Author (Person) | Laitner, Sarah, Stafford, Philip |
|---|---|
| Series Title | Financial Times |
| Series Details | 15.2.08 |
| Publication Date | 15/02/2008 |
| Content Type | News |
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The European Commission announced on the 14 February 2008 its approval for the proposal of the UK telecoms regulator Ofcom to de-regulate the wholesale broadband market in some parts of the UK, covering around 65% of all UK homes and businesses. This is the first time that a national telecoms regulator in the EU has identified different broadband markets in different geographic areas within a country and proposed lifting regulation in those geographic areas now characterised by effective competition. The Commission supports Ofcom's proposal, which is based on detailed economic evidence, to deregulate local exchanges with four or more actual or potential providers serving areas with more than 10,000 homes and businesses. For the Commission, Ofcom's proposal represents a reasonable move towards better targeted regulation, concentrating on those geographic areas where structural competition problems persist. Article 7 of the Framework Directive 2002/21/EC gives the European Commission the powers to oversee national regulatory measures through Community consultation. |
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| Subject Categories | Business and Industry |
| Countries / Regions | United Kingdom |
