• Five new members were appointed in November 1998 to fill vacancies in the Committee. Two existing members were re-appointed for a further term. The Committee met on four occasions during the year, twice in Cardiff, once in Aberystwyth and once in Machynlleth.

• Through its members and secretariat the Committee kept in touch with TACs throughout Wales. WACT also continued to maintain close contacts with the public network operators active in Wales and the Government Departments.

• Regular liaison took place with OFTEL and the other Advisory Committees through attendance at meetings by the Chairman, members and the secretariat which was strengthened by the addition of a deputy secretary to help cope with the additional work of Grant in Aid.

Major areas of work

• Key topics considered by the Committee during the year are listed below. Copies of responses to OFTEL consultation documents are either available from OFTEL's Resource and Information section or on the WACT website (www.acts.org.uk).
• Market research for telecommunications of rural and urban users in Wales.
• Availability of advanced services in Wales (eg calling line identification and ISDN2 & 2e)
• North Wales franchise-Metrocable- to cover North Wales down to Dolgellau annd to use microwave for the last lap (last link to the home) using MVDS short range. This will be rolled out over five years.
• A better deal for telephone users.
• A Fair Deal for Consumers.
• Regulating Communications.
• Freephone Numbers:Options for the future.
• Developing Number Administration.
• Privacy in Telecommunications