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date: 22 August 2000

An independent website to help small businesses make the most of telecommunications products and services is launched today.

www.TelecomsAdvice.org.uk is funded by the telecoms industry and offers practical and impartial advice to small businesses with a limited knowledge of the potential of modern telecoms.

David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications said today:

"Some small businesses have a limited knowledge of the potentially massive benefits of using new products and services.

"Oftel’s Small Business Task Force, therefore, encouraged small business representatives and telecoms suppliers to set up the website to increase awareness among small businesses of the choice of telecoms equipment and services available.

"With costs of internet access and calls dropping dramatically, good information is essential so that small businesses can make informed choices that could help improve the success of their business."

The website provides answers to frequently asked questions such as ‘how to deal with junk faxes’, features articles on key telecoms services and information sheets including a buyers guide to the Internet.

The Director General of Telecommunications added:

"I am pleased that the telecoms industry is backing this initiative. It is vital that telecoms operators continue to demonstrate their commitment to improving the quality of information available to help consumers get the best deal."

The website is run by Crucible Multimedia Ltd who are based in Sheffield.

Notes for editors:

1.    The TelecomsAdvice website is an industry sponsored initiative. Advice and technical assistance has been provided by Telerise, a European-funded project based at the University of Sheffield. Editorial impartiality is overseen by Telerise and Oftel's Small Business Task Force.

2.    Industry sponsors include BT, Cable & Wireless, Colt, Energis, Marconi, MCIWorldcom, ntl, Nortel, One 2 One, Orange, Telewest, Thus and Vodafone.

3.    As well as articles from a range of sponsors, material has been submitted by Allery Scotts, Backbone UK, Carmarthen Online and Redstone technology. To find out more about contributing contact editorial@telecomsadvice.org.uk.

4.    Small businesses and small business advisors will be encouraged to interact with the TelecomsAdvice website by sending in their questions and experience via the feedback form located on the website. The site will provide links to suppliers’ websites. Any suppliers wishing to have a link from the site, or those wanting to sponsor the site, should e-mail the editorial team at editorial@TelecomsAdvice.org.uk

5.    The TelecomsAdvice website is run and owned by Crucible Multimedia Ltd. It is not an Oftel website. Oftel accepts no responsibility as to the content and information on the site or for any decision made by any person in reliance upon advice from the site.

6. Oftel’s Small Business Task Force was established to assist small businesses to make better use of telecoms and the Internet to help them grow. The members of the task force include representatives from business organisations like the Federation for Small Business, Forum for Private Business and Telecoms Users Association, industry experts like the Telecoms Industry Association, various telecoms companies and small business advice agencies like Enterprise Ayrshire.

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