Oftel to thwart 'clear as mud' telco prices

Price comparison sites ready to take on the telcos...

Telecoms watchdog Oftel has begun a consultation process to find ways to enable consumers and businesses to compare the prices of telecoms services. The regulator said on Friday it wants to encourage private websites by running a 'kitemarking' scheme under which up-to-date and independent sites would get the Oftel seal of approval. Businesses and consumers in the past have complained that the complexity of telcos' tariffs makes it impossible to work out which one gives the best deal. In addition telcos have been criticised for being reluctant to give tariff information to independent sites. So far Oftel has not intervened to force the publication of prices to third parties.