The UK regulator set out its proposal on the implementation of the new Broadband Universal Service Obligation.
Background: The UK government passed legislation back in March 2018, introducing a broadband universal service obligation to ensure everyone in the UK has access to broadband with at least 10Mbps download speed. The government left Ofcom to set out the details for its implementation. During this year, Ofcom has ran consultations on the relevant regulations to implement, and asked operators to come forward as possible Universal Service Providers (USPs).
What’s new today? Having received eight expressions of interest, Ofcom has now identified KCOM (for the area of Hull) and BT (for the rest of the UK) as prospective USPs. Five operators did not meet Ofcom’s criteria, whereas another one (Hyperoptic) satisfied the criteria, but subsequently withdrew its interest.
Next steps: Ofcom has now opened its proposal to consultation, which will run until 13 February 2019. The government expects Ofcom to be ready to implement the obligation by 2020.
