Oftel chief calls for BT execs to be imprisoned; LSE USA OK?

The Independent reports that Edmonds accused BT of "dragging its feet" over the unbundling programme and claimed Oftel had been engaged in "trench warfare" with the former monopoly. He also added that he was tempted to send BT executives to prison.

Edmonds admitted that the majority of exchanges due to be opened for competition in January are not the most strategically advantageous to competitors.

BT competitor Energis waded in with it's own allegations of foot dragging and anti-competitive behaviour and called for the telco giant's immediate break-up...

According to the Financial Times, Nasdaq is looking to create a pan-European network involving the London Stock Exchange, Deutsche Börse and Euronext. The US's second largest stock market wants to provide the America arm of a joint-venture that would involve an exchange of shareholdings and would take advantage of the increase in retail trading and initial public offerings in the high-tech sector...

And finally, the Independent reports that beleaguered e-tailer Letsbuyit.com is attempting to raise £48m in cash to help it through the tough times. The company posted third quarter operating losses of E26m (£15.5m) - down from E42m (£25m) from the previous quarter...