Ref: 77/00
Date: 6 October 2000

Oftel today announced the start of a major review of the dial-up Internet access market.

The review will consider how competition has developed in the Internet access market and whether consumers are getting the best deal possible through effective competition.

The results of the review will be taken into account when Oftel takes decisions on the appropriate level of regulation for the Internet access market.

The review is part of a series of Oftel market reviews to see whether effective competition delivers the best deal for consumers.

David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications, said:

"The UK already has some of the cheapest deals in Europe for dial-up Internet access.

"This review will investigate how competition has developed and if competition is now delivering the best deal for consumers.

"The review will focus on dial-up access to the Internet, but will also consider the implications and effects of other ways of accessing the Internet including digital television and mobile phones.

"Oftel will use the results of this review to determine whether the current mix of formal, co- and self-regulation is working effectively and to identify, if regulation continues to be necessary, what form it should take."

Oftel has published a statement on the review that sets out the objectives, timetable and scope of the review. It also outlines the way that Oftel will measure the extent of competition in the Internet access market and invites stakeholders to comment and input into the review.

Note to Editors

Copies of Oftel’s 2000/01 review of the dial-up Internet access 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/iamr0900.htm.

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