Ref: 07/03
Date: 28 February 2003

Oftel and Radiocommunications Agency speed up dispute resolution process

New arrangements to cut the time it takes to resolve disputes between operators have been confirmed today by Oftel and the Radiocommunications Agency.

The arrangements build upon the significant internal management reform that has already taken place within Oftel to improve the performance of its investigation and dispute resolution procedure.

The new arrangements will enable Oftel to meet the new deadline under the EU Directives to resolve disputes within four months. The Radiocommunications Agency will start handling spectrum dispute cases from 25 July.

David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications said today:

"Everyone wants to see disputes resolved as quickly as possible, and so everyone will have to contribute to the new process.

"The industry has welcomed the proposals in consultation and that’s one reason why Oftel is acting now to put these changes in place ahead of the formal deadline of 25 July.

"By setting out the criteria under which disputes will be investigated, operators will know what they need to do to demonstrate that there is a need for the regulator to intervene.

"Oftel will be able to focus its resources more effectively on genuine disputes and so reduce the time it takes to resolve them.

"Resolving disputes within four months is a challenging target for Oftel, but I am confident that we will be able to meet this target as a result of these changes.

"Oftel and the Radiocommunications Agency have worked together to draw up these new procedures to ensure a consistent approach to handling disputes both now and in the future under Ofcom."

Notes to editors

1. The statement Dispute resolution under the new EU Directives is available on Oftel’s website at http://www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/eu_directives/2003/eud0203.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 Radiocommunications Agency is an executive agency of the Department of Trade and Industry. Its main functions are: formulating policy on the planning and management of the UK radio spectrum, co-ordinating UK views and participating in international negotiations on the use of radio, authorising use of radio by licensing or exemption, enforcement of legislation on the use of radio equipment and investigation of radio interference. RA press office, tel: 020 7211 0500, email: julia.fraser@ra.gsi.gov.uk

3. Oftel and the Radiocommunications Agency are two of the five regulatory bodies which will form the new communications regulator Ofcom, which will combine the existing functions of the Broadcasting Standards Commission, Independent Television Commission, Office of Telecommunications, the Radio Authority and the Radiocommunications Agency.