Confidential
GRS 250
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO PRIORITY FCO
TELNO 525
OF 130145Z FEBRUARY 87
CABLE AND WIRELESS : MY TELNO 462
RECEIVE
1 8 FEB 1987
Y
aken:
FURTHER TO MY TUR, WE HAVE BEEN GIVING FURTHER THOUGHTS TO THE QUESTION OF INFRINGEMENT OF TELCO'S TELEPHONE FRANCHISE AS REFERRED TO IN PARA. 3 OF MY TUR, AND WE ARE WONDERING WHETHER WE CAN DRAW FROM THE UK EXPERIENCE.
2. WE UNDERSTAND THAT IN THE UK, THE TELEPHONE SERVICE IS PROVIDED EXCLUSIVELY BY BT AND MERCURY, AND CABLE TV AND OTHER TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BY THE LOCAL CABLE OPERATORS. WE THEREFORE SEE CERTAIN POSSIBLE PARALLELS TO THE TELCO/CW AND BT/HUTCHISON SITUATION UNDER CONSIDERATION HERE, PARTICULARLY REGARDING THE POSSIBILITY OF INFRINGEMENT OF TELCO'S FRANCHISED SERVICE IN VOICE TELEPHONY.
3. WE WOULD BE INTERESTED TO KNOW WHETHER THE DTI (WHICH WE UNDERSTAND TO BE THE OVERALL POLICY DEPARTMENT FOR TELECOMMUNICA-
TIONS) AND OFTEL (THE REGULATORY AUTHORITY) HAVE ENCOUNTERED OR EXPECT TO ENCOUNTER, ANY ENFORCEMENT PROBLEMS IN SEGREGATING THE VOICE TELEPHONY SERVICES PROVIDED BY BT AND MERCURY ON ONE HAND, AND THE CABLE TV AND OTHER TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES PROVIDED BY LOCAL CABLE OPERATORS ON THE OTHER. IN ADDITION, WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO KNOW WHAT MEASURES, LEGISLATIVE OR OTHERWISE, ARE AVAILABLE TO ENSURE THAT INFRINGEMENT DOES NOT ARISE.
4. GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD SEEK DTI AND OFTEL'S VIEWS.
AKERS-JONES
YYYY
HMLNAN 8527
LIMITED
TRED
HKD
MR BRATTHWAITE
MR GILLMORE
WILSON
Sie MR MAND
Room570
Mek. 200/5
Re Tel Cowz
4200
C Bradly
Room 521
Confidential