The decision of the UK regulator Ofcom about whether to launch a competition review into IPTV venture Project Canvas faces delay after a further complaint was issued by London-based IPVision, the DTT/IPTV over-the-top provider.
Eddie Abrams, IPVision’s…
The decision of the UK regulator Ofcom about whether to launch a competition review into IPTV venture Project Canvas faces delay after a further complaint was issued by London-based IPVision, the DTT/IPTV over-the-top provider.
Eddie Abrams, IPVision’s CEO, argues that the massive investment from “industry Goliaths” in Project Canvas, which include UK telco giants BT and TalkTalk, will push smaller rivals out of the market.
“If Project Canvas rolls out as intended, market competition, consumer choice and
technology and commercial innovation will be stymied,” said Abrams.
UK broadband and cable operator Virgin Media officially submitted a similar complaint at the end of July, and was told by Ofcom to expect a two-month wait for a decision about whether an investigation will be launched.
However, a spokesman for Ofcom said that such a decision is likely to take “slightly longer” following IPVision’s formal complaint, which has complicated the process.
He declined to give a more detailed time-frame, but added that Ofcom was working closely with the Office of Fair Trading.
“Ofcom will assess the complaint along Virgin Media’s to determine whether it warrants investigation, and we will make a decision in due course,” Ofcom said.
