Independent websites providing clear, easy to use price comparison information for telecoms consumers could be awarded Oftel accreditation under a new scheme proposed by Oftel today.

Websites that meet standards, set out by Oftel, will be awarded a ‘kitemark’ giving consumers the assurance that those websites will enable them to compare the price of competing telecoms services easily and accurately.

Oftel has launched a consultation to identify what these standards should be.

Key proposals included in the consultation are that accredited websites should:

• be independent and provide price information on a wide range of telecoms suppliers;
• be designed to make it easy for consumers to compare prices of different telecoms services;
• tell consumers that they may wish to consider other issues, such as quality of service before making their telecoms choices;
• provide accurate price information that is updated at least quarterly.

David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications said today:

"Accurate, up-to-date and clearly explained price comparisons help consumers to make the most of the wide range of telecoms services on offer. Well-informed consumers are more likely to shop around for a better deal which in turn encourages telecoms companies to ensure that their prices are competitive.

"There are already companies offering price comparison services but consumers want assurances that the information they provide is independent and accurate.

"Oftel’s accreditation scheme will increase consumer confidence in using these information sources.

"Oftel was a pioneer in this field through its support for the phonebills.org.uk website. This site was launched by the industry in response to consumer demand for price comparison services, and has proved valuable in helping consumers to make informed telecoms choices.

"Creating an accreditation scheme to recognise other good quality price comparison services is the natural next step to improve consumer information still further."

The consultation also seeks feedback on how accreditation could be extended to include other information sources such as leaflets and advice provided over the phone.

The consultation ends in February 2002 and Oftel intends to introduce the accreditation scheme in the first half of next year.

Note to Editors

1. Giving consumers confidence in price comparisons of telecommunications services has been published today and is available on Oftel’s website at www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/consumer/accr1201.htm. 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.