Written question asked by Adrian Flook (Conservative) on Monday, 27 October 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 3 November 2003. It was answered by Stephen Timms (Labour) on Monday, 3 November 2003 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, whether a regulatory assessment has been made of the costs of upgrading telephone exchanges to broadband exchanges; and if she will make a statement; which body is responsible for ensuring that companies other than British Telecom are not asked to pay an uncompetitive price for upgrading telephone exchanges to make them broadband enabled. - (Holding answer 30 October 2003).

Answer: Mr. Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) whether a regulatory assessment has been made of the costs of upgrading telephone exchanges to broadband exchanges; and if she will make a statement; [135328] (2) which body is responsible for ensuring that companies other than British Telecom are not asked to pay an uncompetitive price for upgrading telephone exchanges to make them broadband enabled; [135329] Mr. Timms :[holding answers 30 October 2003]: Telephone exchanges can be upgraded for broadband by their owners, or by other telecommunications providers by means of local loop unbundling. In pursuit of its broadband target, the Government is keen to see as many exchanges as possible upgraded for broadband. Nonetheless, decisions on upgrading are a commercial matter for the companies concerned.

Secondary information