The flagship is dropping behind the fleet [UK telecommunication industry]

Following privatisation in 1984, BT was mainly preoccupied with customer service, operating costs and business exploitation. BT, its competitors and the industry regulators now have to address major new network issues. Their success in meeting the challenges of the new technologies will have a major impact on the future of UK telecommunications equipment manufacturers. The author takes a hard look at the facts. He argues that duplicating local telecommunications plant is a mistake and should stop; price cap regulation produces the wrong result; and an authoritative engineering agency is needed to co-ordinate technology nationally