UK regulator Ofcom has put new rules in place that will force Openreach, the operator of BT's (NYSE: BT) last mile network, to enhance the speed in which it conducts line repairs and service installations for consumers and its wholesale customers, reports ZDNet.
With the rules set to go into effect next month, Ofcom said that the majority of phone and broadband issues will have to be repaired within two working days, while most customers requiring a new line must receive an appointment within 12 working days.
If Openreach does not comply with these targets, it will face sanctions from the regulator, including possible fines.
In addition, Openreach will have to complete about 70 percent of network repairs within one to two working days after it receives a service request. Ofcom said this requirement will rise to nearly 80 percent by 2016.
Beginning in October, Openreach will also have to publish quarterly reports on its website, where it will need to provide what Ofcom says is "clear, meaningful and transparent information" about how long it is taking to repair faults and install new lines.
For its part, Openreach said it is on track to meet and exceed Ofcom's service targets for this year. By hatching a plan to hire an additional 1,600 engineers in May, Openreach said it will be able to "achieve and exceed the standards set for subsequent years."
For more:
- ZDNet has this article
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