Ref: 67/01
Date: 9 October 2001

Oftel today proposed to remove the Caller Display Order on BT.

The Order was issued in 1996 to prevent BT offering Caller Display and other services using schemes that would unfairly encourage the use of BT equipment and hinder sales by competing equipment suppliers.

Caller Display allows a customer to see the number of the caller on a display on their telephone when it rings. Customers must pay a fixed quarterly charge and also need a compatible piece of display equipment.

Some of BT’s proposed marketing schemes in 1996 linked promotional offers for the service itself with promotional offers for the BT-sourced equipment, so putting competing manufacturers at a disadvantage.

Oftel believes that the Order can be removed as BT has complied fully with the requirements of the Order and has modified its internal procedures to ensure that further breaches to its licence do not occur.

David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications said today:

"Oftel's strategy is to reduce regulation where it is no longer needed.

"The Order was important to protect competition when the Caller Display service was introduced, by allowing BT’s competitors in the equipment supply market to offer a similar Caller Display service.

"Caller Display equipment is now offered by a number of suppliers and the service is widely used by consumers.

"I have therefore proposed to remove the Direction following consultation with the industry and other interested parties."

Note to Editors

1 Proposal by the Director General of Telecommunications to revoke the Caller Display Order is available on Oftel's website at: www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/licensing/cadi1001.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.