Original article ISPreview UK:Read More
The telecoms and media regulator, Ofcom, has published an additional investigation into another alternative full fibre broadband network (altnet) – Grayshott Gigabit (currently known as Gigabit IQ) – after they found “reasonable grounds to believe” that they may not be meeting their duties to show they have secured funds for meeting their liabilities.
Under Regulation 16 of the Electronic Communications Code (ECC), network operators with Code Powers have a legal obligation to provide the regulator with documents each year – on 1st April – confirming that they have sufficient funds to meet certain liabilities (details). These liabilities include for fixing damage caused by the installation or removal of electronic communications apparatus on streets and roads.
The funds are intended to act as an insurance so that, in the event of the code operator falling into administration or ceasing to trade, there are sufficient funds available to remedy any works the operator was carrying out when using its Code Powers (i.e. digging up roads to lay its new network). “This helps ensure that the public is not left having to pay for such works,” said Ofcom.