Ref: 32/02
Date: 23 May 2002

Preparing for the new European Directives was a key element of Oftel's work during 2001 as set out in Oftel's annual report, published today.

Oftel worked hard, alongside other Government departments and European colleagues, to ensure that the interests of UK consumers are fully represented in the new Directives.

The report covers the wide range of work that Oftel undertook during 2001 to enable consumers to get the best possible deal for their telecoms services.

Other important achievements during the year included:

• continuing to play a key role in establishing OFCOM, the new single regulator for the communications industry;
• developing the regulatory framework for the rollout of broadband to allow companies to deliver high-speed services to consumers; and
• setting out new proposals for the future of BT's price controls.

Commenting on the publication of the report, David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications, said:

"2001 was a challenging year for the telecoms industry, but competition continued to deliver benefits to consumers despite a slowdown in market conditions.

"A series of market reviews allowed Oftel to ensure proportionate regulation in key communications markets - protecting the interests of consumers, without threatening companies’ abilities to invest in new technologies and services.

"Oftel’s strategy of appropriate regulation stood up to the tests faced in 2001 - from establishing a regulatory framework for the rollout of broadband - to contributing to the development of a new European regulatory framework and the work to create OFCOM.

"This strategy is helping Oftel to build on its achievements in 2002."

The Telecoms Advisory Panel's annual report 2001 has also been published today. The Panel, comprising the six Chairmen of the Advisory Committees on Telecommunications (ACTs), meet regularly with the Director General to discuss wide ranging telecoms issues.

Notes to Editors:

1. Oftel’s 2001 annual report is published by The Stationery Office Limited, House of Commons printing number HC738 and can be purchased for £24. Limited copies are available for journalists and can be obtained by contacting Oftel's Press Office on
020 7634 8991. An electronic version of the report is also available on Oftel's website at www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/about_oftel/annual_report/index02.htm.

2. The Director General of Telecommunications is required under Section 55 of the Telecommunications Act 1984 to provide a report to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for the period 1 January to 31 December each year.

3. The Telcoms Advisory Panel's annual report 2001 is available from the ACT Secretariat at Oftel, tel: 020 7634 8984. An electronic version is also available on the ACTs website, www.acts.org.uk.