Ref: 59/01
Date: 30 August 2001

Oftel has today confirmed the continuation of the universal service obligation. This ensures that basic telephone services are available to all UK consumers at affordable prices.

Following consultation on the level and scope of the universal service obligation Oftel has concluded that BT and, in Hull, Kingston Communications will continue to have an obligation to provide the following on reasonable demand:

• a basic connection to the fixed network;
• special tariff packages to help those people with special social needs and on low incomes;
• proportionate and non-discriminatory disconnection procedures which are made publicly available.

Oftel will continue to keep under review possible extension of the universal service obligation to include mobile and broadband services.

David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications said today:

"Everybody has a right to basic telephone services at affordable prices.

"Although around 99 per cent of households now possess either fixed-line or a mobile phone, the universal service obligation still has major role to play in protecting consumers.

"It is vital that we continue to ensure that those on low incomes and in remote areas still have access to basic telephony services which is why we have concluded that these requirements should be maintained.

"Oftel will continue to keep under review the scope of the universal service obligation within the context of the European legislative framework."

Notes to editors

1 The statement on the Universal Service Obligation is available on Oftel’s website at www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/consumer/uso0801.htm. Hard copies are available to the media from Oftel’s press office on 020 7634 8991 and to the public from Oftel’s research and information unit on 020 7634 8761.

2 A Welsh summary of the document is also available on Oftel's website at www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/welsh/uso0801w.pdf and in hard copy from oftel's research and information unit on 020 7634 8761.