09 August 2001
Ref: 56/01

Measures to improve its consultation process with consumer organisations and industry have been announced today by Oftel.

To encourage greater involvement from industry and consumers on regulatory issues, Oftel will:

• set up a new Oftel forum where representatives from network operators, service providers, consumer organisations and Oftel can discuss current issues and forthcoming policy reviews.

• make greater use of working groups and workshops where specific issues can be discussed, so reducing the reliance on time consuming formal consultation.

• Explore the scope for using more innovative forms of consultation, such as citizens’ juries, to engage the public more directly.

• Streamline some of the more detailed written consultation processes, while making sure that twelve week consultations remain on major policy issues.

The measures are set out in the statement Oftel’s use of Public Consultation published today.

Chris Kenny, Oftel’s Director of Regulatory Policy said:

"Effective consultation is essential to Oftel’s decision making. We need to hear in detail from the industry and consumer groups to ensure that our decisions are relevant. However, consultation can place a heavy burden on some stakeholders, especially consumer groups.

"Our proposals will allow more organisations to play a part in Oftel’s decision making and increase the speed and effectiveness of our consultation. It will also supplement our greatly increased programme of market research.

"Oftel will host a new six-monthly public forum to which it will invite representatives of consumer organisations, user groups and telecommunication companies to discuss current and forthcoming issues.

"The forum will reinforce Oftel’s customer-focussed approach to regulation and encourage greater co- and self- regulation, an important part of Oftel’s strategy."

Notes to editors

1 Oftel's statement Oftel’s use of public consultation is available from Oftel's website at www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/about_oftel/cons0801.htm Hard copies are 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.

2. The statement concludes a review that formally started with the publication of a consultation document which invited comments on the ways in which Oftel conducts its business.