Karoo Monopoly?
The lack of broadband choice has always been a good topic to grumble about in Hull, especially when everyone can point the blame squarely at one company – KCOM and its Karoo service.
An incredible amount of people seem to quote the “KC monopoly” argument and over 3,000 signatures were collected on the online petition to Government (You can read the Government’s response here)
Yet the fact of the matter is, the local broadband market is open to competition and there are no reasons preventing other ISPs (internet service providers) from setting up camp here. KCOM does not actually have any “monopoly” on the provision of services and the industry regulator, Ofcom, has said that KCOM are breaking no laws.
So where are all the other providers then?
Up until now, other ISPs have claimed it’s simply not been commercially viable for them because of the costs involved with operators using KCOM’s network, but in March, KCOM cut the cost of its network charges. They’ve even said that their new charges not only match, but are even more competitive than some of the charges BT makes for others to tap into their telephone network in different parts of the country.
I’m not seeing the flood of competitors yet but I think it is worth remembering Hull City Council’s point about KCOM’s “role in Hull as a major investor, large-scale employer and a significant local business’. It can’t be denied. What’s more, I wonder how many of those 3,000 signing the petition are grateful for Karoo’s support of the Tigers this season?
