From the Director General of Telecommunications

This issue features a number of articles, which look at the implementation of the new EU Directives and the impact of the new framework for all electronic communications networks and services.

Oftel's staff have worked enormously hard to implement the new regulatory regime to meet the requirements of the new EU Directives. It is to Oftel's credit that this work has been completed on time, ahead of many other Member States.

All telecoms licences have now been abolished, and replaced by conditions of entitlement. The regulatory framework has been extended to cover all communications providers, reflecting converging communications services including interactive television, e-mail, text messaging and voice telecoms services.

But at the heart of this major event in regulatory terms is the consistent aim to benefit consumers by encouraging more competition, leading to better choice, quality and lower prices.

And for the industry there is the benefit of greater certainty with a clear set of predictable rules and practices, and a more uniform approach to regulation across the EU.

The huge amount of work carried out by Oftel to implement the new regime will provide an important legacy to be taken forward by Ofcom as it takes up its full regulatory functions and powers on 29 December.

And in the coming months Oftel's work will not diminish as we focus on ensuring that the transition to Ofcom is a seamless one.

David Edmonds