Our commitment to consumers was evident in a number of announcements made in the last three months.

Oftel’s new Management Plan set out the many projects and programmes for the year ahead. These cover market reviews, working with the industry to provide more information for consumers, and work on the new regulatory framework for telecommunications.

In March I was pleased to announce detailed plans for a Telecoms Ombudsman, an initiative in which I have taken a close interest.

The Ombudsman will give consumers the opportunity to get disputes with their service provider resolved by an independent party without having to go to court.

Ombudsman schemes already work successfully in many different sectors. Membership of an ombudsman scheme demonstrates that companies are committed to resolving their customers’ concerns as quickly as possible.

In April, Oftel published a new series of information leaflets for consumers. These include advice on choosing a service provider, how to make a complaint and your statutory rights as a telecoms consumer.

They have been distributed to central libraries, Citizens Advice Bureaux and trading standards offices, and provide useful advice to consumers.

Consumers need two important things in order to get the best deal possible. They need a wide range of services at competitive prices. They also need information on what is available and how to choose the service that best meets their needs.

Oftel continues to work with the industry and other partners to ensure consumers have access to both of these things.

David Edmonds