Ref: 11/01
Date: 8 February 2001

Oftel today launched a review of the way it consults users and providers of telecoms services

The review looks at Oftel’s use of working groups, seminars and formal written consultation, and aims to ensure that Oftel meets the twin objectives of gathering relevant information and minimising delay. Proper consultation is essential to effective regulation and enforcement, but it needs to be streamlined.

The review also considers whether users and providers can be encouraged to work together more. As markets become more competitive, the need for direct intervention from Oftel is expected to diminish. Equally, where regulatory action is needed, it needs to be taken in a timely way

David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications, said:

"Public consultation plays a central role in Oftel’s process of formulating policies and strategies.

"Last year, Oftel undertook 35 major public consultation exercises on projects ranging from the future of directory enquiries to wholesale unmetered Internet access.

"Oftel regularly hosts meetings and seminars for the many interest groups, and conducts quarterly research into consumers’ use of telecoms.

"Face-to-face meetings and formal written consultations are essential for seeking stakeholders’ views, and they also help to make Oftel’s decision-making process more transparent.

"Oftel’s use of public consultation needs to reflect the accelerated speed of technological change.

"The review will consider how Oftel can streamline consultation so leading to quicker decision-taking, while at the same time ensuring that we keep a clear eye on the long term impact of regulation.

Notes to Editors

1 Oftel’s use of public consultation is available from Oftel’s website at www.oftel.gov.uk/about/cons0201.htm. Hard copies are available to the media from the Press Office, tel: 020 7634 8991 and to the public from the Research & Intelligence Unit on 020 7634 8761.

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