KC are listening

[The Snowman]

http://www.k-c.co.uk/listen

I've asked why they don't promote LLU to other companies like Sky, Talk Talk etc etc

[Adrian]

That's because a company wanting to provide the services has to sit down with KC and negotiate a price, which hasn't, and is unlikely to happen.

[Project Novo]

Why dont you ask why they illegally "Tie" (force bundle) local calls with their telephone lines which is illegal under the UK Competition Act (Abuse of a Dominant position) which precludes every other Communications Provider from offering a competitive local calls service? (Please see the response from a firm of Solicitors who specialise in Competition Law.   

KC Should be forced to offer local calls on a "metered" "pay as you go" basis under the legislation.

Everybody in Hull including the Politicians should write to KC and inform them of this. This is one of the main reasons why Hull will never have a choice of providers and a Monopoly still exists.

I work as a Senior Telecommunications Consultant and no larger Enterprise I discuss connectivity and relocation with will touch Hull with a barge pole due to the high prices charged by KC,outdated solutions offered by KC and a lack of alternative suppliers.
       

I checked and we don't act for Kingston so you can refer to me if you want.
The charges would appear to constitute illegal tying or bundling contrary to the Chapter II prohibition (s18) Competition Act 1998, make the provision of one service (provision of phone line) conditional on the provision of another product/service (extra phone minutes at a fixed charge), which the customer may not want, and the tying of which cannot be objectively justified. Where the supplier is dominant this is an abuse of a dominant position. It's hard to see how this would be justified. If it had been
previously discussed and cleared with Ofcom eg that Kingston wished to increase charges and regulator said they couldn't unless some quid pro quo, and this was the deal, it would be good to know. In the absence of any such deal, I think Kingston would struggle. A letter pointing this out to Kingston, and possibly saying the charge is in your view illegal as it contravenes CA 1998 would be the right course. Contact with Ofcom as you outline may also be desirable.
Regards,
John Milligan
John Milligan
Partner EU & Competition
Clyde & Co LLP