Consumers have seen increased competition in the telecoms market and a genuine choice of products and tariffs as a result - so why hasn’t the same happened for corporate customers?

This was the question considered last week whenForum members were brought together to share their challenges - and solutions - to operating in the current UK telecoms market.

It seems that businesses are yet to realise any significant benefits from the separation and restructuring of telecoms giant BT. Nor from the series of legally-binding ‘undertakings’ they have had to implement.

Voicing their concerns often for the first time, many believe that when dealing with BT they are still working with a ‘virtual monopoly’.

At the private workshop, which included a senior figure from telecoms regulator Ofcom, IT chiefs complained that prices remain too high and options too restricted - especially if based outside a major UK city.

Whilst the businesses participating were all major blue-chips with multi-million pound IT budgets, many still perceive that relationships with BT are still too ‘one sided’ - with BT holding all the cards.

Poor account management and customer communications were highlighted as specific problem areas, especially for companies that don’t have large-scale outsourced agreements.

Despite this, IT chiefs remained pragmatic and throughout the session swapped best practice tips on the best ways of getting the best from BT. Corporate IT Forum members will soon be able to download these top tips from the Forum website.

All those present at the workshop were keen to find a way forward and expressed strong desire to work constructively with BT to improve their relationships.

The Forum also agreed to help Ofcom understand the corporate view by providing regular collective input based on users’ experiences and concerns.

If you’re a Forum member and want to provide input to Ofcom, contact our research chief Ollie Ross: oross@tif.co.uk