BT hit by £70,000 Ofcom fine after failing to provide information

Telecoms giant BT has been stung with a £70,000 fine by Ofcom after failing to provide information for the watchdog's review of broadband and telephone services.

Ofcom said the company breached protocol on two requests for information as part of the communications watchdogs's investigation into the wholesale local access market.

However, the penalty is 30% lower than the maximum fine facing the group because BT agreed to settle early.

In a statement, Ofcom said it pinpointed errors in BT's submissions when comparing them to previous figures supplied to the watchdog.

It said: "In February and June 2017, Ofcom requested information from BT about the prices of certain supplementary products it offers for its wholesale fibre broadband services - 'Fibre Broadband Boost' and 'Superfast Recharge'.

"Internet service providers that use BT's network buy these 'optimisation and repair' services to improve the speed and reliability of their customers' broadband.

"When BT responded to these information requests, it failed to state that the prices for the products were different on a Saturday to those it charged on weekdays.

"It also provided the discounted price for one of these products, rather than the contracted price."

The wholesale local access market review has tabled a series of proposals to help improve the infrastructure underpinning the UK's telephone lines and broadband network.