Not guilty: Oftel clears BT of anti-competitive pricing

NEWS New customer charges for these packages came into effect in December 2000. Oftel launched investigations because of concerns the prices were anti-competitive. They appeared to be being offered below cost and, unlike competitors, BT was able to fill the shortfall from profits made on residential voice calls. David Edmonds, director general of Oftel, said: "After considering information submitted by BT, licensed operators and internet service providers, Oftel has concluded that at the current prices the two packages do not have a material anti-competitive effect in internet markets." He added that it's not an infringement because consumers have access to other competing 24-hour unmetered internet access products. Meanwhile, two BT rivals, NTL and WorldCom, are reportedly shedding jobs. According to the Financial Times, sources indicated thousands of NTL jobs might go following its many recent acquisitions. The Guardian reported that WorldCom is to axe 832 employees by the end of May.