Uk Telecoms Regulation

Until 2003 the telecommunications industry in the United Kingdom was regulated by the Office of Telecommunications (Oftel), originally established under the Telecommunications Act, 1984. Oftel was headed by the Director General of Telecommunications appointed directly by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, but the organisation operated independently of government control. Oftel was replaced - as indeed were five other telecommunications regulators - by the Office of Communications (Ofcom), under the Communications Act, 2003.

Ofcom

Ofcom too, is an independent regulatory body and is charged with performing additional duties under the Act. Ofcom is responsible for ensuring fair competition and selling practices in what is an increasing competitive marketplace for landline and mobile phone and broadband Internet services. Ofcom investigates complaints by customers, and has the power to enforce legislation against telecommunications providers in cases of mis-selling or unfair practices. The provision of, at least, a basic telephone service to everyone in the United Kingdom - including those people on low incomes and/or living in rural areas - is also one of its major concerns.

Otelo

There are, of course, other telecommunications regulatory bodies in the UK, similarly concerned with the provision of lawful and trustworthy telephone and Internet services. The Office of the Telecommunications Ombudsman (Otelo), for example, is approved by Ofcom, and effectively offers an arbitration service between telecommunications service providers and their customers in cases of dispute. Otelo examines the facts of any case - which may include complaints regarding the provision SMS ("Short Messaging Service"), voice mail or directory enquiry services, etc. - in an unbiased fashion, and, if a complaint is upheld, may instruct a provider to take appropriate action.

PhonepayPlus

PhonepayPlus, on the other hand, is the organisation responsible exclusively for the regulation of so-called "phone-paid" services in the UK. Phone-paid services typically include directory enquiry or adult entertainment services - along with other increasingly popular services, such a television voting or competition lines, mobile phone downloads, etc. - but any service which involves the cost of a call being shared between a telecommunications provider and the recipient of a call can be described as phone-paid. This may include services available to landline or mobile phone customers, or via fax, interactive television, or the Internet.

PhonepayPlus is actually the new (and more manageable) name for the organisation known as the ICSTIS, or "Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services", but the organisation continues to operate a Code of Practice covering everything from clear and accurate pricing to the appropriate targeting of promotions. PhonepayPlus takes a proactive approach to problem solving and, despite its services being free to consumers, the punitive actions that it can take are effective. Premium rate phone scammers, for example, can expect barring of their services, a ban on their operation under the same, or a different company name for a period of years, plus a hefty fine.