Netflix UK

[pctech]

 

Always thought it a bit mad that BT automatically gained control of an infrastructure that was built with public funds but then again you could say the same for Railtrack and look how that turned out.

[Rik]

It didn't, exactly, Mitch. Initially, the infrastructure was owned by the GPO. Labour split the organisation into two, the Post Office and BT, with BT owning the telecom infrastructure and the PO owning the mail system. Maggie then sold BT.

[pctech]

Ah, thought the GPO was publicly owned though?

[Rik]

No, it was civil service. On 'Vesting day', in 1968, it ceased to be part of the CS, but was still State-owned but as two separate entities.

[pctech]

Ok, I still think though that in 2011 the infrastructure needs to be mutually owned, that way it'll develop to support the ISPs' businesses and in time we'll get better connections.

[Rik]

No doubt about that, Mitch, but we need to avoid a return to the situation where BT took months to supply new lines because they were living in the past.

[pctech]

They still are aren't they?

[Rik]

Yes, but that's different.