JERSEY Telecom might have to open their broadband network up to new operators in the name of competition.

EU competition authorities, including the UK Monopolies Commission, have ordered providers to open up their broadband infrastructure to encourage competition for internet services, and Jersey could be about to do the same.

More than half of Jersey’s households have broadband access – which the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority describe as ‘relatively high penetration’ by European standards – but JT remain the only network provider having spent millions on developing their broadband infrastructure.

The JCRA have opened a review on internet broadband services and want to hear from potential operators.

They say that to promote innovation and competition, they might have to licence other operators to access the JT network.

Executive director Bill Brown said: ‘Broadband is the latest major evolutionary step in the development of telecommunications networks.

Broadband technologies will enable operators to offer the consumer a wider range of competitive and innovative services.

This important consultation will inform our decision as how best to ensure the provision of these services to consumers.’