BT Openreach should become a mutual

http://www.theguardian.com/money/2016/feb/29/bt-openreach-should-become-a-mutual

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Ofcom’s decision to allow Openreach to remain part of BT means that this vital part of our infrastructure will continue to be run in the interests of BT’s shareholders rather than the people who use phone and broadband services (BT told it could lose broadband network, 26 February).

Last month 121 MPs of all parties called on Ofcom to break up the monopoly and make Openreach an independent company. We believe such proposals should go further. Fast and reliable telecoms are too important a part of our economic future for any single private interest to have a stranglehold on the underlying infrastructure.

Instead, it’s time for Openreach to become truly open: a mutual owned by the households and businesses who rely on it. Run on a not-for-profit basis, a public-service Openreach would be tasked with ensuring a fair playing field for all providers that use its infrastructure. The proceeds from the services it provides would then be reinvested, pushing up standards and speeds for all.Claire McCarthyGeneral secretary, Co-operative party

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