http://www.ofcom.org.uk/telecoms/groups/nts_focus/notes/nts03042008

07|07|08

NTS Focus Group – 3 rd April 2008 – 2.00 pm Ofcom

Agenda item (1) - Introductions

Attendance:
Kath Embleton
BT

Sean Hartley
BT

Justin Hornby
C&W (Chair)

Andrew Monk
CPW

Richard Anderson
Colt

Christine Roberts
Colt

Catherine Gerosa
Invomo

KCom

Geoff Brighton
Ofcom

Clive Hillier
Ofcom

Selina Chadha
Ofcom

John Lockyer
Teamphone

Mike Barford
Tiscali


On the phone:
Will Goodall
Flextel


Apologies:
Andy Martin
IV Response

Andrew Wileman
Virgin Media

 

Agenda (2): Update / progress report on the current 'live' NTS related consultations / investigations: (Ofcom/All)

Review of Regulation of Premium Rate Services

Clive Hillier brought the Focus Group’s attention to the statement published by Ofcom under the heading: Approval of amendments to the PhonepayPlus Code of practice (11 th Edition).

The anticipated publication of the review of the PRS framework is due to be some time in the next three months (May).

NCCN 500 investigation / NTS call termination market review
Ofcom is currently considering comments and requests for information from the interested parties.

General Condition 14 Enforcement Programme
Clive informed the group that the Enforcement Programme was underway and that Ofcom was considering the information they had gathered to date.

0870 NTS Condition Removal

Ofcom is formulating a revised policy approach and preparing the final touches on the consultation. The 0870 dispute remains on hold pending the CAT judgement .

Christine Roberts queried whether Ofcom intended to remove the requirement to use pre-call announcements for calls priced above the national rate, as part of the forthcoming 0870 consultation. This followed the 070 problems. Geoff Brighton confirmed that this was likely to be the case.

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Agenda Item (3): 0870 Delay to Dispute Determination

See above. Geoff stated that whilst the dispute resolution and 0870 condition removal are separate activities they are clearly linked. The 0870 policy changes can not be implemented in the absence of agreed termination rates.

Nancy Saunders asked if there had been any announcements from the CAT. At the time of the meeting there had not. Justin asked what the procedure was for such an announcement. The view was that a decision would be published on the CAT’s website.

Geoff indicated that Ofcom aimed to publish the consultation approving the PhonepayPlus oversight of 0871 at the same time as the 0870 consultation.

Agenda Item (4): International Access to 0844/0871

Justin Hornby reminded all operators that there was an outstanding action relating to the provision of information for providing international access to 0844 / 0871. To date only Cable&Wireless and BT of those operators with international gateways had made their position clear to the Focus Group.

Agenda Item (5): Ofcom consultation on Telephone Directory Information obligations and regulations – inclusion of NTS numbers in directories

Andrew Monk queried whether the intention was to make the inclusion of NTS numbers in directories an opt-in or opt-out measure. There were concerns that it was not overly clear from the consultation as to what the proposals were for NTS.

Clive took an action to find out and report back at the next Focus Group. Clive did clarify that for mobile numbers the approach would be on an ‘opt-in’ basis. There was general concern that this would not address the issue. The group expressed concern that in the worst case scenario every NTS number would need to be retrospectively included.

AP: Clive to clarify intended approach with regards to NTS inclusion in directories.

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Agenda Item (6): Review of Action Points from previous meetings

Action Aug06_09 – Ongoing pending resolution of NCCN500 dispute.

Action Sep07_01 – More detail on 0871 levy calculation to be provided in 0871 consultation. Ongoing.

Sep07_04: See item 4 above. Ongoing.

Dec07_01: Completed. Clive confirmed that this was the case.

Dec07_02: Completed. Letter issued to all Focus Group members 15 th January 2008.

Agenda Item (7): AOB

Andy Martin asked when BT intended to issue a revised OCCN to take into account the increase in retail prices on NTS / PRS ranges as of 1 st April. A specific example of this is that the call rounding fee has increased from 0.5p to 1.0p and should be reflected in a POLO.

AP: Sean Hartley to respond by the end of the week with BT’s view.

Date of Next Meeting:

The meeting next meeting will take place on 15 th May 2008, commencing at 2:00pm , at Riverside House, London .

Summary of New and Outstanding Actions:
Aug06_09
Porting differential issue to be added to the agenda of the first NTSFG meeting of 2007

Sep07_01
ICSTIS to provide more detail on the levy calculation

Sep07_04:
All international carriers to confirm their plans for making international access available for 0844 and 0871.

Apr08_01:
Ofcom to clarify intended approach with regards to NTS inclusion in directories.

Apr08_02:
BT to inform the group of any POLO amendment as a result of the 1st April price changes.

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