Ofcom hires fat-pipe czar for UK's next-gen broadband push

Communications regulator Ofcom has today published its strategy for furthering the adoption of broadband in the UK.

Four years ago, the regulator set the aim of getting 512Kbps broadband into 15 per cent of homes in UK – a figure it's achieved, according to its own statistics – and now wants to turn its attention to the next generation of broadband products and services hitting the market.

The two key points to its strategy for the future will be pushing for local loop unbundling (LLU) in a move that could see the widespread adoption of both residential and business VoIP and appointing an independent telecoms adjudicator to ensure the unbundling goes smoothly.

The man appointed to the newly created role of telecoms adjudicator will be Peter Black, who has previously drawn an executive pay packet from telcos BT, NTL and Thus. Black will now be wielding power over his former employers, with all three – along with nine others – signed up to Ofcom's independent adjudicator scheme.

The adjudicator will be in charge of overseeing the LLU process and resolving the day-to-day operational issues that arise, according to Ofcom. The watchdog has once again opted for a path of non-interference, saying that formally regulating the process would take up too much time and delay the unbundling unnecessarily.

BT, which recently cut its charges for LLU by 35 per cent, has agreed to abide by the adjudicator's decision and most of the other operators have signed "bilateral agreements" with BT to help get LLU moving.

Even with BT and the operators onside, at least for the moment, Black faces a tricky challenge. LLU has been a big disappointment in the UK so far, with just Easynet and Bulldog attempting to compete with BT Wholesale by installing their own broadband equipment in BT's local telephone exchanges.

Other telcos have accused BT of obstructing LLU through excessive charges - a claim that gained credibility after Ofcom said in May that BT should cut its LLU pricing.

Black's appointment has been keenly awaited by BT's rivals.

"The adjudicator needs to be committed to the process of LLU, and will have to put solutions in place quickly to get the process moving again," said a spokesman for one of the operators, who warned that strength and determination will be needed to get all parties working together.

Graeme Wearden writes for ZDNet UK