How can OFFTEL force BT to offer a flat rate deal but the ODTR Cant with eircom

LegacyUser

OFFTEL is a telecoms watchdog, its only advises the goverment, but it managed to get bt to bring in a flat rate deal, after extreme presure from lubby groups,

But the ODTR (a telecoms regulator)from what ive seen, give the impression it has no real power to inforce these a flat rate system,

Maybe this illegal battle they are having over LLU with eircom(and they are having one)
will clearly define their power

LegacyUser

The answer to your question is quite simple: the British government decided that Internet access is important, and therefore gave more power to OFTEL.

Here in Ireland, our government "couldn't give a flying ****" it seems, and simply hasn't given the ODTR either the resources or the power to enforce anything upon Eircom.

dahamsta

Actually, you both have a point, when you consider that David Edmonds (mighty leader of the winged watchdog, as the Reg would put it) appears most of the time to be making it up as he goes along. Whereas Etain Doyle seems to genuinely know what she's talking about. Just shows who's got governmental support and who doesn't. But like I said before, the government seem to be pretty scared of owning up that they don't really understand tech and telecomms. Which I guess you can understand when our fearless leader has been babbling about "ecommerce hubs" and the like for a few years now.

adam

LegacyUser

First of all, OFTEL are also a telecoms regulator. Secondly,
The legal situation re FRIACO is in the meeting report from the ODTR/Ireladn off line meeting