‘Woeful’ BT broadband arm gets major shake-up

Openreach so these changes c an’t come soon enough. In order for these reforms to be judged as a success, customers will expect them to deliver big improvements in service.

“Telecoms are an essential part of our daily lives and so it is vital that everyone can access good quality broadband, switching is made easier and compensation is made available when things do go wrong.”

Ofcom’s chief executive Sharon White said forcing BT to sell the division would take too long.

She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “This is a practical plan that can be implemented within months, unlike a sell-off of Openreach which would take years.” She added: “This could bring about significant change. It will mean you have faster, more reliable broadband. It will mean engineers turning up on time and getting the job done first time. And crucially for the UK it will mean more investment in fast fibre to the doorstep.”

Mike Spicer, director of research at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “We have seen mounting evidence that businesses are suffering from poor service standards, ‘not spots’, unreliable connections, and a market structure that fails to offer competition and choice. Any moves therefore to improve investment in digital infrastructure will be welcomed by firms that are desperate to grow and thrive.”