§ Caroline FlintTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to require telecom providers to advertise their prices in a standard format. [59304]
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§ Mrs. RocheThe regulation of telecoms operators in the UK is a matter for Oftel. Oftel is encouraging the fixed link operators in the UK to finance the development of a pricing comparison model to provide residential consumers with information so they can compare what their telecoms bill would be with different telecoms suppliers.
Twelve leading telecoms operators, including BT and the leading cable companies, are participating in the development process with Oftel. The intention is that when successfully developed the model will be used to publish price comparisons and that the first figures should be available next year.
The Government therefore have no plans to require Oftel to oblige operators to publish comparative pricing information as Oftel is already facilitating this with the industry's co-operation and agreement.