Ref: 71/00
Date: 19 September 2000

Oftel  today announced the formal start of its 2000-01 review of the mobile market.

The review is part of Oftel's  strategy for 2000-01, which focuses on effective competition which gives the customer the best deal.

It will consider how competition has developed since the last review of the mobile market, which took place in 1998-99, and, and  whether competition will bring greater benefits to consumers  over the next two years.

The results of the review will inform decisions about appropriate regulation for the mobile market.

David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications, said:

"Effective competition will enable consumers to get the best deal possible on their mobile phone.

"Oftel's review in 1998-99 found that competition was increasing to the benefit of consumers but was not yet fully effective.

"This review will investigate how competition has developed since the last review, if competition  is now delivering the best deal for mobile consumers and if regulation  continues to be necessary, and if so, what form that regulation should take."

Oftel's statement sets out the objectives, timetable and scope of the review, outlines the way that Oftel will measure the extent of competition in the mobile market and invites stakeholders to comment and input into the review.

Oftel will be starting a review of the Internet access market later in the year.

Notes to Editors

1 Copies of Oftel’s 2000-0 – 01 review of the mobile market are available to the public from Oftel’s Research and Intelligence unit (tel: 020 7634 8761) or to the media from Oftel’s press office (tel: 020 7634 8991). The document is also available on Oftel’s website at http://www.oftel.gov.uk/competition/mmrv0900.htm.

2 Oftel’s 1998- – 99 review of the mobile market is available on Oftel's website at http://www.oftel.gov.uk/competition/mmrv799.htm.

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