Archive for October, 2010

Dispute concerning BT’s transit charges to particular mobile network operators – case closed

Posted by TTNC on October 26th, 2010

The dispute between BT and Cable & Wireless, Gamma Telecom Holdings Ltd, Colt Technology Services, Verizon UK Limited and Opal Telecom has been closed. This was over the repayment by BT of certain charges for the transit of traffic terminating with particular mobile network operators during different periods between September 2006 and March 2007.

The case began back in June when Ofcom was asked to resolve these disputes under section 185(1) of the Communications Act 2003 (the Act).

On 20 October 2010, Ofcom issued final determinations under sections 188 and 190 of the Act resolving these disputes to the parties in dispute and the party which registered as an interested party.

For more on this, follow this link

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Review of Alternative Dispute Resolution Schemes – Call for Inputs

Posted by TTNC on October 21st, 2010

All communications providers are required to be a member of an approved Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Service.  ADR Schemes are free, independent resolution services available to consumers who have not been able to resolve complaints with their communications provider.  The current approved ADR Schemes are CISAS and Otelo.

Ofcom is obliged to keep its approval of ADR Schemes under review.  This Call for Inputs provides stakeholders with the opportunity to give their views of the current ADR Schemes.

The full Call for Inputs paper can be found here: http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/alternative-dispute-resolution/ and the closing date for responses is 24 November 2010.

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The new London number – 0203

Posted by TTNC on October 15th, 2010

The big city: London is a growing populous that demands everything and puts everything in demand. This is why Ofcom have released a new number range for London – 0203.

With any new Geographic number that’s released, it’s all about growing familiarity.

Although the 0203 range doesn’t have the association the 0207 and 0208 numbers have to their respective areas of London; that doesn’t have to be seen as a over-riding negative. The 0203 number range can transcend the inner – outer London boundaries that the 0207 and 0208 ranges represent.

From a purely fiscal perspective, we only have some of the more memorable 0207 and 0208 numbers left which range from £195+VAT upwards. So, if you’re trying to keep your start up costs as low as possible, the 0203 range affords you an opportunity to get a number for as little as £25+VAT.

Over time, just like the 03 number range, we’ll start to see these 0203 numbers more and more. This means people will become more comfortable with them and they’ll take on their own association; which may not necessarily relate to a specific location with London but will mean the same level of confidence for callers.

It’s difficult to talk about London without a mention of the 2012 Olympics, but the prospect of such a focus on the city is exciting when considering the opportunities this will create. Generating a presence in the city though doesn’t have to wait until 2012 arrives.

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Communications providers need to do more to publicise services for disabled customers

Posted by TTNC on October 5th, 2010

New research, carried out by Ofcom, has revealed that communications providers need to do more to publicise services that are available for disabled customers.

Mystery shopping was conducted to see what advice prospective customers were given about these services by BT, Orange, O2, TalkTalk, T-Mobile, Virgin Media, Vodafone and 3.

As part of its wider duty to further the interests of citizens and of consumers, Ofcom has a specific duty to take into consideration the needs of customers with disabilities. Ofcom must ensure that communications providers provide services for disabled customers and that these services are publicised in such a way that allows disabled customers to use and benefit from them.

The mystery shopping revealed that just over a third (37 per cent) of mystery shoppers were provided with information about at least one service available for disabled customers without further prompting.

Click here to see the full mystery shopping report

For the full news release, click here

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