BT responds to BDUK criticisms

BT has responded to the widespread criticism that it is causing a lack of competition in the UK broadband market.

The company was labelled as a "grant junkie" by Independent Networks Co-operative Association Chief Executive Malcolm Corbett last week.

But in a statement issued to IT Pro, BT claimed that other providers simply hadn't been quick enough to apply for rollout contracts, saying: "If there was really an easy buck to be made out of delivering this stuff, then the queue of companies lining up to take these so-called grants would've stretched a lot longer than just BT."

So far, the service provider has been awarded every superfast broadband rollout contract that has taken place as part of the government's Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) scheme, which has seen a nationwide investment of £2.5 billion.

With delays to installations in some areas and numerous communities where residents are dissatisfied with their current BT service, some have called for the government to prioritise other companies to create healthy competition.

The date BT expects to finish its commercial rollout has now been moved forward from the end of 2015 to spring 2014.