Oftel publishes Management Plan for 2001/2

Oftel’s Management Plan for 2001/2, which sets out the projects and work programmes for Oftel in the coming year, was finalised and published in March.

Oftel published the plan following a wide consultation process in which sought the views of consumer groups, business consumers and the telecoms industry. The input and suggestions of stakeholders played an important role in the development of the plan.

The work set out in the 2001/2 Management Plan is aimed at ensuring that consumers get the best deal in terms of quality, choice and value for money from telecoms services, in line with Oftel’s strategy.

Oftel will play a key role in the continuing work to provide an environment in which e-commerce can thrive in the UK. In support of this, promoting greater broadband and narrowband Internet access to consumers is one of a range of initiatives included in the new work programme.

To ensure that regulation remains appropriate to the extent of competition in the market, Oftel will continue with its programme of market reviews. Oftel is currently conducting reviews of the mobile market and national leased lines market, and will shortly launch its review of the market for dial-up Internet access.

Other projects include working with other regulators to take forward the Government's plans to create a single communications regulator, OFCOM. In March, the five bodies which will be replaced by OFCOM signed a memorandum of understanding pledging co-operation on the project. Oftel will continue to work with these partners to move plans for the new organisation forward.

For further information please contact John Wimmer (tel: 020 7634 8742 / e-mail: john.wimmer@oftel.gov.uk).