Ref: 76/02
Date: 20 December 2002

Oftel has today confirmed its policy on the provision of public payphones.

This follows a thorough review of its policy which is aimed at ensuring an adequate provision of payphones across the UK.

In a statement published today, Oftel sets out how the Universal Service providers of public payphones, namely BT and Kingston Communications, should approach their obligations to provide public call boxes throughout the UK.

The statement includes a set of guidelines which have been amended in detail to clarify various procedures for the removal and re-siting of payphones. In particular, the guidelines on the removal of a payphone service from a single site have been reinforced following a wide consultation process with stakeholders.

The guidelines underline Oftel's commitment to ensure the availability of call boxes in areas where they might not be sited for commercial reasons alone, such as high density social housing areas or rural locations.

Decisions relating to the complete removal of payphones from a site remain appealable to the Director General, in certain circumstances.

David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications, said today:

"It is important that Oftel regularly reviews all of its regulations to make sure they remain proportionate and necessary in order to protect the public interest.

"Oftel has conducted a review of the payphone sector to ensure that the level of regulation provides a reasonable balance between protecting the needs of the public and avoiding unnecessary regulation.

"Oftel's review has demonstrated that, despite the rise in mobile phone ownership, there remains a social need for payphones.

"Our research shows that a wide range of consumers, especially those on low incomes, still rely on payphones. And even mobile phone owners use payphones for certain purposes, for example, if their phone's battery is flat or if they run out of credit.

"Oftel has therefore concluded that the current regime for payphones should continue for the time being.

"Oftel has taken the opportunity however to amend the details of the guidelines in a number of respects. For example, the guidelines are now clearer - and more strenuous - on the process BT or Kingston must follow in areas where there is a single payphone."

Note to editors

1. Public payphones is available on Oftel's website at www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/consumer/2002/payp1202.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 Information Unit on 020 7634 8761.

2. The guidelines refer only to public call boxes (PCB's) to which members of the public have unrestricted access 24 hours a day. The guidelines do not cover payphones that are situated on private land, such as those in clubs or in student halls, for example.

3. There are more than 103 000 PCBs and 43 000 operator managed payphones currently in the UK.