ROD MATTHEWS, founder of Scottish Telecom and one of the mostrespected entrepreneurs in his field, is working on a secret telecomsproject.
This summer, Mr Matthews is expected to launch a new company thataims to address the problems faced by businesses in obtaining high-speed internet access via BT's telephone exchanges.
Called Access UK, Mr Matthews' company will negotiate directlywith BT and sell wholesale broadband internet services to telecomsfirms that have become frustrated by the process known as local loopunbundling.
Mr Matthews is understood to have discussed the business plan withWestLB Panmure, the investment house, and has received support fromexisting telecoms operators. He registered Access UK with CompaniesHouse two weeks ago and is named as the company's only director.
Mr Matthews' business plan has for the last two months gone underthe code name "Broad Co". Companies will be invited to take a stakein Access UK by "loaning" staff with expertise in high-speed onlineoperations and BT's copper wire telephone network.
It is understood that Kingston Communications, Thus and Energisare currently reviewing the proposal.
One source close to Mr Matthews said: "He's great entrepreneur,and I have little doubt that if he can drum up enough support for theidea, then it will be a tremendous success."
Mr Matthews, who was unavailable for comment, will facecompetition from Bulldog Communications, which is already negotiatingwith BT to gain access to its exchanges.
The niche for companies like Bulldog and Access UK was created bythe problems many telecoms companies have endured in gaining accessto BT's exchanges. Operators have accused BT of deliberately draggingits heels and claimed that telecoms regulator Oftel has been soft onthe incumbent.
Mr Matthews made his name as the founder of Scottish Telecom,later renamed Thus. Over five years he built up the business withacquisitions including Demon Internet.
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