Debate on OFCOM has focused on the challenge of bringing together the two main areas of communications regulation: content and delivery.

Oftel's work is focused on the delivery of services. Some of the partner organisations, for example the ITC, are responsible for regulating content.

This is not a division - it gives us a chance to think across the communications field. Fundamentally the new regulator, like Oftel, will ultimately be focused on making decisions that are in the best interests of consumers.

In October, Towers Perrin, the consultants appointed by the regulators, put forward their proposals for a possible structure for OFCOM, and set out many of the issues to take forward.

Their report has given the regulators and government a solid base to work from.

Transition groups are now in place to decide how the new structures for OFCOM could be created from the five regulators' existing resources. One important area of work will be for the regulators to develop arrangements for closer joint working.

Work has already begun to establish electronic records management processes which can be easily integrated into the new organisation, while a team will be looking at improving consistency between the five regulators' research output, and good practice for commissioning research.

OFCOM's ultimate aim, like Oftel's aim now, will be to ensure that consumers get a good deal - not just for telecoms but for all communications services.

By working together from the outset, the regulators will ensure that the new organisation can hit the ground running to deliver this goal.

When we talk about consumers, business users are as important as residential users I am delighted that in this issue, Digby Jones Director General of the CBI, explains why telecoms services are so important to businesses.

As ever, there are always a wide range of current issues that Oftel on which Oftel has to make important decisions. But now we are also involved in shaping the future of communications regulation.