Ofcom rulings could lower cost of VoIP solutions

New rulings issued by UK communications regulator Ofcom could help lower the cost of VoIP solutions.

Ofcom has ordered BT to allow its rivals, such as Sky and Virgin Media, to access its fibre-optic broadband network and provide super-fast internet to their own customers.

The move could significantly lower the cost of adopting high-speed broadband, and therefore VoIP services, as BT will be forced to offer competitive prices.

Ofcom revealed that BT will be able to fix prices for the access it provides, but claimed they would "be constrained by the highly competitive wider broadband market and will be subject to rules to prevent anti-competitive pricing."

Ed Richards, Ofcom's chief executive, said: "Today Ofcom has finalised a clear regulatory framework to promote investment, competition and innovation to enable as many consumers as possible to benefit from these exciting new services."

The regulator also revealed that internet providers would be allowed access to BT's underground ducts and telegraph poles so they can deploy their own high-speed broadband lines.