BT’s Call Minder is a voice messaging service that allows people to receive messages via BT’s network instead of using an answering machine.

The Order, which was made in December 1997, required BT to offer its Call Minder products to other operators and service providers on the same terms and conditions and at the same price as it provided them to its own business.

After consultation with the industry and other interested parties Oftel has concluded that the Order is no longer required as changes have been made to the way BT offers voice messaging services.

Oftel is satisfied that these changed procedures meet the same requirements as the Order.

David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications, said:

"The Order was necessary to ensure that other operators and service providers were able to offer a competitive equivalent to BT’s Call Minder service to their customers.

"Changes to BT’s licence and internal procedures mean that the Order is no longer required and Oftel has taken the decision to revoke it.

"Revoking the Order is a deregulatory measure which is in keeping with Oftel’s strategy to regulate only when necessary."

The Revocation and Explanatory Document is available from Oftel’s website at www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/licensing/cami0301.htm. Further information is available to the media from Oftel’s Press office on 020 7634 8991 and to the public from the Research and Intelligence Unit on 020 7634 8761.