BT Group Should Delay Launch of Openreach Broadband Pricing Offer, UK Watchdog Says

By Kyle Morris

The U.K.'s Office of Communications said Friday that the launch of BT Group PLC's Openreach pricing offer for full-fiber broadband should be postponed as the watchdog's decision on the progam will take two months longer than initially planned.

The regulator said its consultation into the new wholesale Equinox 2 pricing offer for internet service providers closed on March 4, with a decision originally planned for the end of the month, but that it now anticipates needing an additional two months to undertake further analysis.

The Equinox 2 offer is due to launch on April 1, but to provide certainty and stability for industry, Ofcom's view is that it wouldn't be appropriate for the offer to launch until a final decision has been made, it said.

Ofcom said it may use its power to defer the launch of the offer, unless Openreach voluntarily agrees.

Write to Kyle Morris at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

03-17-23 0417ET