Oftel publishes guide to unbundle local loop

Oftel has published draft guidelines that govern BT's unbundling of the local loop, but there will be no real change for telcos hoping to see a faster rollout.

There is no change to the major deadlines: BT must still take orders from operators by next month, and the unbundling must be complete by July 2001.

"Now we're saying some loops should be available from the beginning of next year," added an Oftel spokeswoman. "These will be available in fairly low volume at first, but as BT finalises its computer systems to handle orders, the speed of rollout should increase by the spring."

Oftel said the guidelines offer "nothing new or changed", even though the EC is considering a regulation that will force rollout by the end of this year.

The Oftel spokeswoman said: "We're still not completely sure what the regulation means. We don't object to the end of 2000 date as long as the requirements are reasonable."

The guidelines also clarify the role of the director-general in resolving disputes between BT and other operators.

The document is available at: http://www.oftel.gov.uk/competition/llug0700.htm