TMA chief slams Oftel over Web inaccuracies

NEWS Former TMA chairman, Martyn Hart, has criticised UK telecoms regulator, Oftel, for giving out inaccurate information on its price comparison Web site. Oftel launched the site www.phonebills.org.uk in December last year to help consumers find the cheapest telecom deals in their area. It was developed by five telecoms companies: BT, Cable & Wireless, Eurobell, NTL, and Telewest, and was hailed by the watchdog as a success in industry co-operation. But Hart argues the site is badly designed, asks for the wrong information and provides inaccurate savings results. "Worse than that it doesn't really calculate a comparison, it only gives a guide in a number of bands, so tough if you don't fit in and tough if you want a detailed comparison," he said. Hart added that the price data was last updated on the 6 October 1999, which in today's telecoms climate is not up to date enough. Oftel admitted that the data on the site could be improved. A spokesman said: "We realise this is a starting point and we would like to see it enhanced. We would like the operators to update it more regularly and for there to be a greater number of operators linked to the site." However, he denied the site was badly designed. Hart concluded that corporates are better off using the more reliable and detailed Web site set up by the EU - www.toll.co.uk - which can also be tailored specifically for business use. "UK tax payers have already paid for an EU sponsored telecom tariff Web comparative which does go into detail, takes exact numbers with tariffs and discounts that are on line from the suppliers. And unlike Oftel's, it actually comes up with an accurate answer," he argued.