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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
info@m2.com)).
Copyright ? 2008 M2 Communications Ltd.
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