World Online, following in the footsteps of Kingston Communications and Thus, is the ninth potential operator, from the original 14, to leave the trials.
UK ministers had focused on the provision of high speed internet access as a key part of their communications and e-commerce strategy, however the Department of Trade and Industry is now considering whether public subsidies may be a more appropriate way to encourage the ‘broadband’ developments.
To provide the proposed service, telecommunications operators such as World Online were to upgrade the existing BT copper telephone lines and microwave radio links. However, World Online has now joined the list of companies who are installing their own broadband equipment rather than using the BT infrastructure. Andy Frost, director of products and services at World Online commented, "if the government were serious about local loop unbundling, the one-off infrastructure costs would be paid by the government."
To add to this it is also expected that two of the largest remaining operators, Colt and Cable & Wireless will not provide their broadband services to residential customers but rather focus on business users.
See also: Oftel gets BT to accelerate local loop unbundling, OUT-LAW News, 19/01/2001