TalkTalk warns of BT fibre broadband monopoly

TalkTalk is the latest internet service provider (ISP) to claim that BT is attempting to monopolise the fibre optic broadband market.

David Goldie, the former Carphone Warehouse subsidiary's commercial director, told the Guardian that the British taxpayer would suffer if BT was to become the only major player to offer fibre broadband.

Without sufficient competition, the UK will be left with a second-class infrastructure that relies on fibre delivered to street cabinets, rather than faster fibre to the home (FTTH) services, he argued.

At present, BT is only planning to roll out FTTH to four million properties, although this figure could be set to rise in the future.

"BT's is a mother-knows-best approach," Mr Goldie added. "I don't think they are building the right infrastructure for Britain."

His comments come shortly after Neil Berkett, chief executive of Virgin Media, told the Financial Times that BT could become the only major ISP to offer high-speed broadband in rural areas.