http://consume.net

# UK Telecoms

# Privitisation

State run monopoly until 1984 [GPO]
Privatisation left one powerful operator BT
Weak regulator [Oftel] 
Viable company rather than competition
Cable TV companies only effective competition
Competition in long distance and international lines, backbone
Left an effective local loop monopoly
Fixed wireless telephony failed [Ionica ]

# Mass Internet Provision

Dialup connections
Per minute billing for local loop
No incentive to increase speed
Slower speed = more money !
Local loop monopoly stifled competition
“Free” ISPs entrenched per minute billing
DSL rollout deliberatley slow
Government forces local loop unbundling
Campaign for Unmetered Telecommunications (CUT) www.unmetered.org.uk

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