Ref:  70/00
Date: 14 September 2000

www.phonebills.org.uk, the website which helps residential consumers compare how much they would pay with different telephone companies in their area, has been expanded today to include a wider range of telephone service providers.

www.phonebills.org.uk now includes details of First:telecom, an ‘indirect access’ company which offers local, national and international calls, and NextCall and World Online, which both offer their own branded telephony service using BT’s network.

Pricing information on the website has also been updated.

Since its launch last December, over 150 000 people have used the site to compare phone bills in their area.

David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications, said:

"I am pleased that the industry is continuing to update and add to the site.

"www.phonebills.org.uk provides consumers with the kind of information that is essential for them to make informed choices about their telecoms supplier.

"A considerable amount of work has gone into increasing the value of the site by widening the range of providers.

"Other telecoms providers have expressed an interest in contributing to the site, and work continues on developing a wider range of typical caller types, including unmetered Internet users, and tariff information.

"Tariff details will be updated twice more before the end of this year."

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 June 2000, and include the tariffs of BT, Cable & Wireless Communications, Eurobell, First:telecom, Kingston, NextCall, ntl, Telewest, and World Online. The independent pricing consultants Analysys produced the model that compares prices and manage the phonebills website.

2 The companies that have expressed an interest in contributing to the site in future are: Capital One, OneTel, Pathfinder, Spacetel, Swiftcall, Swiftnet, Telco Global Communications, Transnet, Viatel and VarTec Telecom.