Ispa brands Oftel 'misinformed'

NEWS The Internet Service Providers Association (Ispa) has lashed out at telecoms regulator Oftel accusing the watchdog of being 'misinformed' about BT's plans for flat rate internet access charges. Laurence Blackall, Ispa member and president of Concentric Network, said: "Mr Edmonds [Dave Edmonds, director of Oftel] is sadly misinformed if he believes BT's delayed and diluted unmetered plans will allow full and fair competition in the UK Internet access market. Ispa said because Oftel did not direct BT to provide unmetered access, they were "knowingly mandating BT to make available a product which has proven to be unworkable". The association also criticised Oftel for its technical committee's failure to meet the deadline to report on the provision of unmetered access from the local exchange to the regional switch. Blackall said: "We need Oftel to publish the findings of its technical committee as a matter of great urgency."