http://www.ofcom.org.uk/telecoms/groups/nts_focus/notes/nts_110908NTS Focus Group - 11th September 2008 - 2.00 pm OfcomAgenda item (1) - IntroductionsAttendance:
Mike Barford Tiscali
James Barrington-Brown SkyCom
Warren Berdo SkyCom
Geoff Brighton Ofcom
Kath Embleton BT
Catherine Gerosa Invomo
Will Goodall Flextel
Sean Hartley BT
Clive Hillier Ofcom
Justin Hornby C&W (Chair)
Paul Lees Via-Vox
Jo Leese BT
Steve McGeary Via-Vox
Andy Martin IV Response
Andrew Monk CPW
Sandra Reid VirginMedia
By telephone
Will Goodall Flextel
Andrew Monk CPW
Frank Foley J2Global
Colin Scott Thus
Apologies:
Lesa Green KCom
Agenda (2): Update / progress report on the current 'live' NTS related consultations / investigations: (Ofcom/All)Review of Regulation of Premium Rate Services
Ofcom hoped to now publish this in October. Justin asked if there was a chance of further slippage to which Clive indicated that he thought this was unlikely.
NCCN 500 investigation / NTS call termination market review
Ofcom announced that the finding of this case was that BT was deemed to have a dominant position in the market place but that their conduct did not amount to abuse. The period for any appeal to be lodged was almost up, but Ofcom had not heard from any of the parties involved.
General Condition 14 Enforcement Programme
The enforcement period is nearing completion and a number of informal action to do with advertising material has been taken. This largely involved the prominence of NTS price tariffs.
Agenda Item (3): Termination market reviewGeoff indicated that the appeals period for NCCN500 was open until 2nd October. It would be after this point that Ofcom would consider if they were to proceed with a market review, but they were not planning an immediate review. Any work would be a standalone activity and would not form part of the narrowband review.
A number of operators sought reassurance from Ofcom that the Market Review was still to go ahead and expressed concern that the regulatory loop hole that allowed NCCN 500 still remained. It was felt that the findings from the previous review started before NCCN500 would still apply. Geoff indicated that no decision had yet been made and that it was a question of Ofcom resource and priorities.
Agenda Item (4): NTS Porting DifferentialGeoff queried whether this was still an issue given the time that had elapsed since NCCN500. Justin pointed out that much of the delay had been caused by the time it had taken Ofcom to resolve the case and that the outcome of this had necessarily delayed looking at this issue. It was pointed out that the scope for a porting differential still existed and that the regulatory loop hole allowing this should be examined and closed off.
Ofcom asked that the issue be crystallised for them to understand. Justin asked attendees to contact him if the Focus Group wished to take this issue forward in any way.
AP June08_01: Focus group members to contact Chair if they wish to progress the porting differential issue in relation to NCCN500
...