TaxPayers' Alliance call for end to KCOM monopoly in Hull

In July this year, telecoms regulator OFCOM ruled that where BT is the only provider of fixed internet access, it must reduce its wholesale costs to other broadband suppliers by 12% below the rate of inflation.

In the 01482 dialling code area, KC (part of the KCOM group) has a monopoly in both fixed line broadband and telecoms. As a result, taxpayers in the Hull area are paying inflated bills because they have no choice in who provides their services.

In 2008, OFCOM ruled that KCOM was not preventing other companies entering the marketplace, and that those companies said it was not in their commercial interest to offer their services to the people in Hull. In the last three years, there have been important changes.

If BT has to reduce its wholesale prices where it has a monopoly, the same should apply to KCOM. This will benefit taxpayers in the Hull area enormously who are currently paying a heavy price for KCOM's monopoly.