This briefing on the introduction of Service Harmonisation on the GEA product over FTTC and the future introduction for GEA over FTTP is for all Communications Providers 

Openreach is pleased to announce the introduction of service levels to its GEA-FTTC product (and future plans for GEA-FTTP), which align with its previous Service Harmonisation proposals for other Openreach products. 

The extension of Service Harmonisation (SH) beyond Wholesale Line Rental (WLR) and Local Loop Unbundling (LLU) is consistent with the care levels proposed across the Openreach portfolio.

Service Harmonisation offers our Communications Providers (CPs) greater ability to tailor service levels to their customers’ needs.  This ability to offer excellent customer service is underpinned by appropriate service packages that enable CPs to offer their end users peace of mind. They are easy to understand, offer good perceived value, are flexible and reflect end user lifestyles.

Service Harmonisation was created in collaboration with CPs, which started in April 2008 and extending the levels to the NGA portfolio is a natural portfolio development.

With the introduction of these service levels, Openreach will also be providing compensation if the appropriate chosen service level is not met. This is further described in the Generic Ethernet Access (GEA) terms and conditions.

The prices for SH on GEA- Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) are in addition to the existing service levels available on WLR or Metallic Path Facility (MPF) copper products over which the GEA-FTTC service is provided and apply from 24th April 2010.  For pricing information please see ACCN OR182 in the Next Generation Access Section of the Pricing Notification page.  Further information regarding Next Generation Access product pricing can be found here.

Openreach anticipates that SH care levels will apply in a similarly consistent manner to its GEA-FTTP (Fibre to the Premises) product both within the pilot and when launched.

Any questions regarding this notification should be directed to either David Ablitt at david.ablitt@openreach.co.uk or Andy Snellgrove at andrew.snellgrove@openreach.co.uk.

The contents of this briefing are accurate at the time of writing and are subject to change.

If you wish to discuss the information contained within this brief, please contact your Sales and Relationship Manager.

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