OFTEL sets out conditions for BT taking 100% ownership of BT Cellnet
OFTEL today published proposals to require BT to produce separate accounts for its mobile business activities. Accounting separation has been required by the government before it is prepared to give approval for BT to acquire 100% ownership of BT Cellnet. OFTEL proposes that all of BT’s mobile related activities should be grouped into a new regulatory business, the Mobile Business, to ensure that there is no unfair cross subsidising of BT’s mobile or fixed/mobile activities. The mobile business will include BT Cellnet, BT Mobile, BT Paging and any potential 3G mobile activities. David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications, said that he believed these measures would make it easier for OFTEL to identify and take prompt action against any anti-competitive behaviour. (OFTEL Press Release 74/99)
