United Kingdom

[GB] Standing Committee on Competition in Communications Set up

IRIS 1998-6:1/24

David Goldberg

deeJgee Research/Consultancy

A new Group of senior officials - called the Standing Committee on Competition in Communications - has been set up, involving the Independent Television Commission, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and the Office of Telecommunications. The new mechanism will meet regularly to discuss current issues "which cross the traditional boundaries between regulators in the field of communications." The general aim is to set up machinery to assist the industry; minimise the regulatory burden; and "ensure that important issues do not fall through gaps". Specific project plans regarding particular issues will be proposed. The new group is in addition to, and is independent of, the existing joint consultation group, chaired by OFT and which includes the ITC, OFT, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport . That group "considers the development of regulatory policy in the communications area."