OFTEL

NOTICE UNDER SECTION 12(6A) OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT 1984

MODIFICATION TO ALL PUBLIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR LICENCES

1. During the period beginning on 22 June 1984 and ending on 18 January 2002, the Secretary of State granted licences under section 7 of the Telecommunications Act 1984 (the “Act”) to particular persons which the Secretary of State has designated by order under section 9 of the Act as having public telecommunications systems, collectively referred to hereinafter as the “PTO licences”. 2. On 18 March 2002, the Director General of Telecommunications (the “Director”), in exercise of the powers conferred on him by section 12 of the Act, made the following modification to Condition 17 in Schedule 1 of the PTO licences: The words ‘in writing’ in Condition 17.2 were deleted. 3. In accordance with section 12(6A) of the Act the Director hereby gives notice that his reason for making the modification was to enable the development and launch of new products and services using automatic calling equipment. The retention of the requirement to obtain consent ensures that consumers remain adequately protected. However, the removal of the requirement for this consent to be obtained in writing allows more products and services to be provided and consumers will be able to benefit from automated services should they wish to. The modification is deregulatory and in line with Oftel’s long-term strategy of ensuring that regulation is kept to the minimum necessary to obtain the appropriate outcome.