Oftel is the UK's telecoms regulator. The Radiocommunications Agency is an Executive Agency of the DTI, responsible for the management of the non-military radio spectrum in the UK.
The proposed new procedures "put greater emphasis on companies to demonstrate that they have been unable to reach an agreement and are in genuine dispute - which they require Oftel to resolve."
The proposals include:
A set of criteria by which disputes will initially be assessed – cases that don't meet these criteria will not be considered;
The publication of Oftel's Competition Bulletin as a live, web-based document, adding disputes as they are accepted rather than as a quarterly publication, to ensure greater transparency in the dispute resolution process; and
The use of Oftel's formal powers to request information needed to resolve a dispute, a proposal which will be implemented immediately.
According to Oftel, the proposed procedures would ensure that disputes can be resolved within four months, as required by new EU legislation.
The consultation document, "Dispute resolution under the new EU Directives," is available on Oftel's web site at:
www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/eu_directives/2002/disp1102.htm
