Re: Not a monopoly - don't talk bollocks
Oh dear Mark. Don't talk bollocks, you said.
"there are all sorts of regulatory barriers to laying stuff under roads and pavements."
Not really that many regulatory barriers, and they're not much of a barrier anyway. Any two bit outfit can apply for approval, refusal is unlikely.
"Virgin Media, BT, Transco, whoever owns the water and gas pipes, that telco in Hull and thats pretty much it."
You think so? Maybe you should have done that research?
There are MANY DOZENS of companies with what are called "code powers". The meaning of "code powers" is described at
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/telecoms/policy/electronic-comm-code/?a=0
which starts with
"The Electronic Communications Code ('the Code') enables electronic communications network providers to construct electronic communications networks. The Code enables these providers to construct infrastructure on public land (streets), to take rights over private land, either with the agreement with the landowner or applying to the County Court or the Sheriff in Scotland. It also conveys certain immunities from the Town and Country Planning legislation in the form of Permitted Development. " (continues)
That page also contains a link to a list of companies (laughably referred to as "persons") who have been granted these "code powers".
Whatever's stopping companies competing with BT in this market on a large scale, it *isn't* (in this instance) regulatory obstructiveness.
The first dozen or so names from Ofcon's alphabetically ordered list are below. By the time you get to the tenth or so name, it should be obvious who is talking bollocks, even after discounting multiple entries from related companies (e.g. three Arqivas), and entries from companies who aren't actively using their powers.
51º Limited
Airwave Solutions Limited
allpay Limited
Arqiva Communications Ltd
Arqiva Services Limited
Arqiva Limited
Anglian Water Services Ltd
AT&T Global Network Services (UK) B.V.
Atlas Communications NI Limited
Bournemouth & West Hampshire Water Plc
Bradford Cable Communications Limited
Bristol Water Plc