| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 05/06/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 2 |
| Copyright: Other |
Internet legislation
Oftel ruling opens way for cheap Net access
INTERNET access is set to tumble in price following a landmark ruling by telecommunications watchdog Oftel.It has ordered BT to give rival Internet service providers cheap, unmetered access to its local network, which will open the way to better deals for their customers.
The ruling was set to take effect as Travel Weekly went to press but it was still unclear whether BT intended todispute it. BT said it would respond to Oftel’s ruling in due course.
Paul Richer, senior partner at travel technology consultancy Genesys, said the ruling would benefit on-line travel.
“It’s excellent news, because it increases competition among ISPs,” he said. “If people are not paying by the minute, they will stay logged on longer. People will make more use of travel sites and for travel companies, there is even more reason to be on the Web and even better payback for their investment.”
An AOL UK spokesman said: “Oftel’s ruling to effectively end BT’s role as gatekeeper to the Web is a victory for consumers, competition and common sense.”
Surf’s up: travel sites will benefit from the Oftel ruling