UK: Consumers, telcos want market influence out of Ofcom rulings

Consumer advocates and various telcos of the UK have joined together to argue that too often telco watchdog Ofcom’s decisions are heavily influenced by the companies it regulates, leading to troubling policies.

Pay television firm TalkTalk, wireless operator Three and various consumer rights advocates claim big-telco’s influence in Ofcom’s policy making has lead to delays in essential competition reforms, including efforts to facilitate switching between service providers.

Reports say the groups are fighting against lawyers, paid by telcos, to fight Ofcom decisions, sometimes on mere technicalities. Reports say the majority of Ofcom decisions in the last five years are challenged with the Competition Appeals Tribunal, leading to millions in legal fees.

Calls to challenge the process of appealing Ofcom rulings come in the same week Parliament’s House of Lords suggested Ofcom should hold the last word on deciding mergers within the media industry.

Full Content: The Guardian

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