http://www.ofcom.org.uk/telecoms/groups/nts_focus/notes/nts28sept06NTS Focus Group - 28th September 2006 - 2.30 pm Ofcom
Meeting Notes & Actions
Agenda item (1) - Introductions
Attendance:
Andrew Wileman
Ntl:Telewest (Chair)
Marcus Rudkin
Band-X
Mark Amoss
BT
Kath Embleton
BT
Justin Hornby
Cable & Wireless
Laurent Pariat
Cable & Wireless
Toby Higho
Easynet
Will Goodall
Flextel
Tom Cairns
Gamma
Andy Martin
IV Response
Huw Saunders
Kingston Communications
Nic Green
Ofcom
Clive Hillier
Ofcom
Mike Barford
Tiscali
Anne McCardle
Verizon Business
Agenda Item (2): Review of minutes of previous meeting
Justin Hornby noted that the reference to the new adult number range was incorrect. The chair agreed to amend the minutes accordingly. No additional comments/concerns were raised. It was therefore agreed that the minutes, once amended, could be published on the Ofcom website.
Agenda (3): Update/progress report on the current 'live' NTS related consultations/investigations: (Ofcom/All)
Adult Services Consultation
Clive Hillier said that Ofcom hoped to publish the consultation on the extension of the Controlled Premium Rate Services definition to adult services operating on 08 ranges within the next month. Clive added that this publication was dependent on the issuing of the statement on ‘Conditions regulating Premium Rate Services’ which has also proposed a modification to the PRS Condition.
General Condition 14 Enforcement Programme
Clive advised that Ofcom had opened an own-initiative investigation into non-compliance with the amended General Condition 14 (NTS and PRS Codes of Practice) and was considering what action should be taken. Attendees were reminded that the amended Condition requires CPs (both fixed & mobile), to publish the relevant Codes of Practice and improve the visibility of NTS call prices in price lists, promotional materials and on websites, by the deadline set in the April 2006 Statement (19 August 2006). Clive advised that Ofcom had already received 2 complaints from stakeholders about the apparent failure by a number of OCPs to comply with the amended Condition. The Ofcom case leader for this investigation is Tanya Rofani.
Andrew Wileman enquired about Ofcom’s plans for a general review of premium rate services. Clive said that this would be encompassed within the wider review of the General Conditions.
Mark Amoss sought clarity around the powers that Ofcom had in instances of abuse of number ranges – in particular, could Ofcom withdraw numbering allocations? Will Goodall said that he believed that Ofcom had such powers and remarked that other EU countries have more stringent requirements around number allocation. Clive Hillier said that each case was considered on its individual merits and added that the subsequent initiatives generated by the numbering review would include the introduction of a consumer protection test for number allocation.
NTS call termination market review/NCCN 500 investigation
Clive Hillier said that Ofcom was still in the process of drawing the NCCN 500 investigation to a conclusion. He added that the intention was to circulate the preliminary findings to the parties to the dispute in October 2006.
The call termination market review remains on hold, pending the outcome of the NCCN 500 investigation.
Andrew Wileman said that the outcome of the call termination market review would likely need to be taken into account in the discussions around 0870 interconnect charges – and as such the need to have sight of Ofcom’s findings was critical. Clive said that Ofcom was aware of the linkage and recognised the timing challenges.
NTS: A Way Forward – Implementation Update
Clive said that the implementation steps were progressing to plan. In particular, Ofcom expected to issue a further consultation on the extension of PRS regulation to adult services currently provided on 08 ranges within the month (see above). The ICSTIS pre-consultation on the extension of its remit to cover 0871 services was due to close on 29 th September, following which a full consultation would be issued (by early 2007).
Following discussion at the previous NTS Focus Group in relation to the date of effect of the 0870 reforms, there had been some confusion about the agreed date. The official date of effect was 18 months from the date of publication of the Numbering Statement – this would be 28 th January 2008. However, there had been a suggestion that the date of effect/implementation should be rounded up or down to coincide with the nearest start of the month. Several attendees had favoured 1 st February in order to avoid the need for special billing arrangements resulting from a changeover at a time other than a month end. No objections to this proposal were raised, however Andrew Wileman suggested that views were sought from non-attendees prior to the proposal being accepted.
New Action Sep06_01: Objections to the proposal that the 0870 reforms should commence on 1st February 2008 to be communicated to the chair by 31 st October
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