BT told to open up network access to rivals

Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Media is poised to extend its super-fast broadband network by using infrastructure owned by BT in the UK.

Analysts say the move underscores the intensifying battle between the two internet access providers.

Virgin, the UK's third-biggest broadband provider, has set its sight on providing high-speed internet access over fibre optic cables running along BT's telegraph poles so as to reach homes.

Such an arrangement could help the company expand its network coverage across 16 million of the UK's 26 million homes.

Ofcom, the telecoms regulator, yesterday unveiled plans under which BT would be required to allow access to its telegraph poles, so as to string fibre cables between them.

Additionally Ofcom said BT should allow rivals access to its underground ducts, so as to allow fibre cables to run through the tunnels.