The initial consultation period will run until Monday 4 March. There will then be a further period up to Monday 18 March during which comments are invited on any submissions made to Oftel during the initial period. Comments are invited in particular on the questions highlighted in the text of the document and summarised in Chapter 7.
The formal consultation period is shorter than Oftel normally allows. This is because the proposals in this document, and the views of consultees on them, are an important element to be taken into account in drawing up the second consultative document on the review of BT price controls. That document will be published by the end of March. (Annex D shows the timetable for consultations on independent service providers and the price control review). In view of the complexity of the issues in this document, and in order to facilitate contributions to the consultation exercise, Oftel intends to meet with key players to discuss their views on the proposals. A final statement setting out how Oftel intends to take forward its proposals will be published in May as part of the statement on the price control review. Those interested may continue to contribute to Oftel's consultation after the formal period has ended, up to the end of April.
Written comments should be submitted to:
Philip Sack
Oftel
50 Ludgate Hill
London
EC4M 7JJ
fax: 0171-634 8949
On receipt, written comments will be made publicly available in Oftel's Library except where respondents indicate that their response or parts of it are confidential. Respondents are therefore asked to separate out any confidential material into a confidential annex which is clearly marked as such. In the interests of transparency, respondents are requested to avoid confidentiality markings wherever possible. Appointments to view written comments in the Library must be made in advance (tel: 0171-634 8762/8765, fax: 0171-634 8946).
Comments on this document can also be sent to Oftel on the Internet (if they are short) by filling in the form on Oftel's Web pages or by using the following e-mail address:
press.office.oftel@gtnet.gov.uk
Oftel would like to set up links between this document on Oftel's pages and responses to it placed on respondents' own Internet pages. Please contact Catherine Guiver at Oftel on 0171-634 8756 to organise this.
Confidential responses should not be sent via the Internet.