Oftel launches mobile competition review

UK telco regulator Oftel has begun its formal review of the mobile market for 2000/2001, which will focus on the effectiveness of competition in providing consumers with the best deal.

The review will monitor how competition has developed since the last review that took place during 1998/1999. A spokeswoman for Oftel said regulation could be adjusted in the light of any findings. She said: "Once we know how competition has developed we can then tinker with regulation on the basis of what is found. More competition could mean the reduction of regulations and if it's doing its job we may remove regulation." The last review found that competition was on the increase but not fully effective. The regulator has also apologised for not taking action fast enough over unbundling of the local loop.