BT in this context = Openreach for line-based. If Openreach provide it, it means BT Wholesale does. If BT Wholesale does they are unlikely to restrict it to BT Consumer and BT Business. That would almost certainly fall foul of Ofcom's own anti-monopoly provisions, never mind this crew.

Similarly with FTTC and even FTTP. Would Openreach refuse to provide to Sky, TalkTalk, Zen et al?

For places out of reach of landline provision at the moment, I accept it may be down to BT/EE to provide decent wireless broadband. Though most areas already have multiple suppliers of > 10Mbps mobile broadband.

And is it safe to assume you have to be a customer of BT to request a capable line over 10mbps?

No, however if the connection needs USO it will most likely be supplied by either BT ISP or EE if 4G connection.

Edited by deleted (Sun 01-Mar-20 19:58:28)

A slight positive.

So, no, you cannot go to Talktalk or Sky and ask for a USO connection - even if they are resellers of Openreach services.

What a splendidly level playing field.

�all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others�

You will become a customer of BT if you receive a USO connection.

As much as it shames me to say this. I'm ok with that. I've been waiting a very long time for a fast, reliable connection. I hate that BTs monopoly will grow but that's a fight for Sky, TalkTalk etc...

Assuming once the 12 month contract ends I can go with another provider, so not too bad.

Edited by deleted (Sun 01-Mar-20 20:41:55)

Quite. So much so I don't believe what the others in this thread do.

I think what many posters here are not realising is that once Openreach provide any form of USO-satisfying connection, it is almost certain any provider that uses Openreach will be able to make use of it.

As I implied earlier, In the absence of a clear statement from Ofcom that BT Consumer and BT Business would have monopoly access to said connection, I believe it would be open to all Openreach customers.

I do agree that if the solution for any particular customer is mobile broadband such as 4G or 5G, then BT/EE would have to provide. However almost all mobile masts have other providers on them or in the area, who could presumably also satisfy the USO requirement.

I'm not aware of Ofcom prohibiting other providers from satisfying the requirements. Only that BT must if others don't.

Perhaps MrSaffron could enquire if my second paragraph is right or wrong .

In one of the follow-ups I went along from the Ofcom link in the OP, BT Group expected only about 150,000 premises to be below the USO threshold by 2020 anyway. (Start or end of the year not specified).

If BT Group decides to implement FTTP (expecting possibly 40,000 if people in right areas request it) then they will pay the cost to Openreach and yes as well as offering service ot the USO requester others would an option. So the person requesting USO service would as things stand get BT FTTP but neighbours on same manifold will get the usual options.

The reality is the absoluate majority are expected to be sold a BT 4G plan that meets USO need with external antenna added if needed. Those plans will be via EE and not available via Openreach resellers.

It is extremely unlikely that a single USO request will see a new mobile mast installed (cost reasons).

Another gotcha is what happens when other providers in an area can deliver a USO type service, i.e. the USO is not a carte blanche for BT to pay Openreach to built FTTP for USO purposes if a fixed wireless provider or for example Vodafone 4G or three 4G service can meet the speed, price and usage criteria. It is this that is the reason why Ofcom is talking of 155,000 premises it believes will need USO intervention, i.e. something more, in a number of cases that intervention might just be the £99 EE outside antenna install.

USO is actually very little to do with improving speeds of fixed line services, but is more about getting people onto the alternatives.

Thanks Andrew . That is almost exactly what I expected and was trying to explain without "knowledge".

What you have added is a similar scenario to FTTPoD, where the requester pays whatever they have to if the cost is over £3,400, and restricted to BT Consumer/Business, but others who can get it as a result pay standard prices to the supplier of their choice.