The House of Commons Trade and Industry Select Committee (TISC) is preparing to stew beleaguered Oftel boss David Edmonds over his handling of the local loop unbundling.

Edmonds has been ordered to explain Oftel's position to MPs, as reports emerge that the government is unhappy with the level of competition in UK telecoms and internet markets.

A spokesman for TISC said that although the select committee stayed in regular contact with UK regulators, recent and sustained pressure from the industry had precipitated Edmonds' invitation to discuss the watchdog's shortcomings with the cross-party panel of members.

Oftel has faced increasingly damaging and bitter criticism from telcos and users in the business community over delays in local loop unbundling and high-speed internet access.

Louise Lancaster, director of European regulatory affairs at telco Viatel, welcomed the move and said that she hoped Oftel would respond positively.

"BT's broadband division, Ignite, is not supposed to be favoured above rival operators - it should have to apply for collocation like the rest of us. We filed a complaint over this issue with Oftel on 27 September, and Oftel hasn't even acknowledged us," said Lancaster.

"I'm pleased that Edmonds is going before the committee. He's going to be more inclined to listen to the complaints we've made. Oftel has shown an unwillingness to act, a preference for operators to resolve disputes directly with BT," she added.

"Oftel has said that complaints should be limited to three main points or it will take them months to deal with it. What if we've got more than three points?"

First published in Network News