UK regulator Ofcom has given regional comms group KC the go-ahead to bundle broadband, landline and other services.
Under the proposals, KC, part of the KCOM Group formerly known as Kingston Communications, will be able to offer service bundles similar…
UK regulator Ofcom has given regional comms group KC the go-ahead to bundle broadband, landline and other services.
Under the proposals, KC, part of the KCOM Group formerly known as Kingston Communications, will be able to offer service bundles similar to those sold by other national communications providers.
To ensure that consumers in KC’s service area, the city of Hull, truly benefit from bundles, Ofcom has said it will remove current restrictions as long as bundles are made available to all residents and businesses in the Hull area, bundle prices are published on KC’s website and prices are set so as not to discourage rivals from serving local consumers.
Since last September, when Ofcom removed regulations around BT’s retail landline market, the UK incumbent has been able to bundle communications products such as broadband and telephone services. At that time, Ofcom said KCOM still had ‘significant market power’ in providing landlines and broadband in Hull.
Now, though, Ofcom wants to ensure that current regulations governing KCOM do not prevent Hull residents from benefitting from the innovation, choice and savings available to other UK residents.
According to Ofcom’s latest figures from Q1 2010 50% of UK consumers bought a bundle of communications services of two or more services, up from 29% in 2005.
