BT could be broken up amid concerns that it is not fit to deliver the next generation of broadband under plans being considered by ministers, the Telegraph reports. The government is considering whether BT should be forced to sell off its broadband division amid concerns over its performance, which has been criticised as "dire" by Tory MPs.
An unnamed Whitehall official told the paper that "there are concerns that the market is just not competitive", and the government wants a quicker delivery of full fibre than BT's current performance on broadband.
As part of the call for evidence on the future of the telecom industry and review of infrastructure plans, the government is re-opening the idea of dividing BT into retail and wholesale decisions, the source said. The operator was already forced to make its wholesale arm Openreach more independent, but the government is reportedly considering a complete break-up to further its broadband plans, the report said.
