Ref: 18/03
Date: 06 April 2003

Over one million UK consumers are now using carrier pre-selection - a service which enables them to use an alternative phone company to BT without changing their phone line and without dialling extra numbers.

Carrier pre-selection (CPS) means that consumers can choose different phone companies to carry different calls - and because the calls are routed automatically they do not need any additional equipment installed at home.

Oftel required BT to introduce CPS to boost competition in the fixed line market and bring benefits to consumers such as lower call prices.

CPS was introduced in several stages starting in April 2000. The number of phone lines with CPS has risen steadily since then and continues to grow.

David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications welcomed this milestone:

"Carrier pre-selection is good news for consumers. They can save money on their calls by selecting the best deals from different phone companies, without having to worry about dialling extra digits or changing their phone line.

"Oftel, BT and the other telephone companies have worked closely together to make the necessary changes to the telephone network so that the benefits of CPS are available to consumers.

"I welcome the fact that carrier pre-selection is encouraging new companies to enter the market.

"And I look forward to seeing the number of consumers taking advantage of carrier pre-selection rise even further in the coming months."

Note to editors

Permanent carrier pre-selection allows calls to be automatically routed by software at BT's exchange to an alternative telephone company without the need for a dialler box or dialling extra digits.

A consumer guide to carrier pre-selection is available from Oftel's website at www.oftel.gov.uk/ind_groups/op_policy/cpscgm/docs/cpsconguidev3.htm

A list of operators offering CPS is available from Oftel’s website at www.oftel.gov.uk/ind_groups/op_policy/cpscgm/cpslistoprts.htm