Ref: 31/02
Date: 23 May 2002

David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications has granted the Competition Commission a further six months to complete their investigation into mobile call termination rates.

In January 2002, Oftel asked the Competition Commission to investigate whether the charges that the four mobile network operators make for connecting calls to their networks are too high, after operators rejected Oftel’s proposals to reduce the charges through a charge control of RPI minus 12 per cent.

The Competition Commission was due to report by 6 July 2002. They will now have until 6 January 2003 to report - although it is expected that a decision will be reached somewhat earlier.

Notes to editors

1. Documents relating to the Competition Commission referral are available on Oftel’s website at www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/mobile/ctm_2002/index.htm.