Calls to mobiles: Competition Commission outlines current views

The Competition Commission's (CC's) inquiry into the cost of calling mobile phones has moved into its later stages with the publication of the CC's 'Remedies Statement' in July.

The statement outlines the CC's thinking on the issues it has been considering. Its current view appears, in general, to concur with Oftel's.

While the CC makes it clear that no final conclusions have been reached, it currently believes that the mobile phone companies are setting excessive termination charges. In the absence of regulation there is no incentive to lower termination rates and the CC believes that this is against the public interest.

Oftel welcomed the announcement as a key stage in the inquiry. The CC is still considering evidence in many areas, and there are still plenty of opportunities for both Oftel and the mobile operators to make their case.

The CC's final report is due by January 2003.

The Remedies Statement and other documents relating to the CC's enquiry are published at:
www.competition-commission.org.uk/inquiries/mobile.

In issue 57 of Oftel News we stated that transcripts of the CC's hearings would be made available on its website. We now understand that this is not the case.