The A to Z of broadband

Unbundling

Unbundling, or local loop unbundling (LLU), allows BT competitors to install their own equipment in BT's local exchanges. This means they don't have to buy wholesale telecoms services from BT and can potentially offer a wider range of services and speeds.

The list from A to Z

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A is for ADSL
B is for BT
C is for Cable & Wireless
D is for Dial-up
E is for Education
F is for Fibre
G is for Goonhilly
H is for HSDPA
I is for In-flight
J is for Janet
K is for Kingston
L is for Landlines
M is for Murdoch
N is for Next generation
O is for Ofcom
P is for Power lines
Q is for Quad-play
R is for Remote working
S is for Satellite phones
T is for Trains
U is for Unbundling
V is for VoIP
W is for WiMax
X is for Xbox
Y is for YouTube
Z is for Zombies

Following an intervention by Ofcom in 2004, which cut the cost of unbundling, many operators got involved including AOL, BSkyB and Cable & Wireless.

The number of unbundled telephone lines in the UK is nearing three-quarters of a million and, based on current growth and the rollout plans of these operators, Peter Black, the UK's telecommunications adjudicator, estimates between two and three million lines will be unbundled by the end of 2006.

The process is still experiencing problems, according to Black, who has long warned that operational problems with the delivery of LLU could make it difficult for BT's rivals to plan and launch new services.