Telcos in broadband row
CHANNEL Island telecommunications companies are embroiled in a row over broadband pricing, it has emerged.
And the Channel Islands Competition and Regulatory Authorities has confirmed it will investigate broadband prices offered by JT in Jersey after receiving complaints from competitors Sure and Newtel.
Jersey Telecom has offered cut-price broadband to its customers but the official objection alleges JT's retail arm is benefiting from favourable treatment – something its Cicra licence specifically prohibits it from doing. The regulator's interim chief executive, Michael Byrne, pictured, said the complaint focused on a recently announced £17.99 a month deal for speeds of up to 2Mb/s. The deal lasts for 18 months and therefore could, Mr Byrne said, have 'negative consequences for customers in the long term through reducing choice and value for money in telecoms services'.
But JT, which owns the Jersey network, issued a defence of its new charging structure and said competitors had launched their attacks only because they were unwilling to drop their own prices.
