Ref: 23/00
Date: 10 April 2000

The website www.phonebills.org.uk, has been updated today with new information to help residential consumers compare how much they would pay with different telephone companies in their area.

Information containing the March prices of all the participating companies, have been included.

www.phonebills.org.uk is published by independent pricing consultants and includes prices of the main telecoms companies providing direct-to-the-home services. Since its launch last December, some 60,000 people have compared prices in their area using the website.

By answering a series of questions about the type and frequency of the telephone calls they make, and then typing in their postcode, consumers will instantly find out which of the participating telephone companies in their area is likely to give them the lowest bill.

David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications said:

'I am encouraged to see the telecoms industry continuing to help residential consumers to be better informed of the different offers available to them.

"Today's update is the first in a series of steps the industry is taking to improve the information on the website.

"The next step is a larger site that will include the prices of ‘indirect access’ telecoms companies specialising in particular call types - for example national and international calls - and other companies offering combined ‘calls and access' packages to customers, as well as including a wider range of typical customer call types. This is due to be launched in June.

"I look forward to seeing the industry deliver these planned improvements."

Before making any final purchasing decisions, consumers should also check prices with the individual telephone companies. Other factors such as the range of products on offer and quality of service should also be considered.

Notes to editors

1. The new tariffs published today on the website are as at 1 March 2000, and include the tariffs of BT, C&W, Eurobell, Kingston, ntl, and Telewest. The independent pricing consultants Analysys produced the model that compares prices and manage the phonebills website.

2. The companies that have been participating in the development work in order to include their prices in the revised website due to be published in June are: Capital One, First Telecom, NextCall, OneTel, Pathfinder, Spacetel, Swiftcall, Swiftnet, Telco Global Communications, Transnet, Viatel, VarTec Telecom, World Online.

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