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FCS: Ofcom should target mobile regulation says FCS; FCS members have responded to the Ofcom consultation on its Mobile Market Assessment(M2 PressWIRE Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) RDATE:10112008 London -- Contrary to the "helicopter view" that the UK with 5 competing vertically integrated operators is a paradise of competition, FCS members report that there is customer deficit that Ofcom needs to attack. Importantly Ofcom should: Restart its wholesale SMS review Regulate for wholesale access to incumbent networks Initiate a cross industry, regulator and consumer project on price transparency Ensure recipient led mobile number portability with direct routing of ported numbers The FCS response says: "In this period of economic downturn the telecoms sector as a whole and the mobile market in particular is able to deliver essential support for the economy. With demand for greater efficiencies and lower cost solutions by customers, Ofcom has a central role to play and targeted regulation rather than a "light touch" will provide the solution. "As the UKmoves forward into an effective converged fixed and mobile telecoms market the FCS believes that Ofcom has to act on deficiencies in the mobile market that have lain untouched for some time. FCS members report that the mobile market is not sustainably competitive within the distribution chain and these areas require Ofcom's attention. "In this response we have identified several areas of concern associated with Mobile new entrants Mobile number portability Closure of mobile number ranges Fixed mobile convergence Tariff transparency SMS "We view the optimum market as one that has a multiplicity of suppliers down the distribution chain and where there is a bottleneck, such as the obvious limitation in national infrastructure, wholesale access on fair and equitable terms should be obligated. At the same time mobile new entrants need specific support to enter the market such as recipient led mobile number portability and direct routing of ported numbers. This will lead to a wider choice of suppliers, who require a sustained fair and competitive regulatory environment to deliver services." Notes for Editors: 1 The Federation of Communication Services- FCS - is the Trade Association for the communication services sector representing companies delivering products and services by means of radio, mobile, fixed and IP telephony 2 Ofcom issued its Mobile Sector Assessment- Mobile citizens, mobile consumers on 28 August 2008 and FCS responded on behalf of its members within the mobile distribution chain and those seeking to enter the market. 3 The FCS response to Ofcom's consultation may be found on the FCS website - www.fcs.org.uk CONTACT: Jacqui Brookes / Michael Eagle Tel: +44 (0)20 8249 6363 FCS WWW: http://www.fcs.org.uk ((M2 Communications Ltd disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to [email protected])). Copyright ? 2008 M2 Communications Ltd. |