Ofcom has issued a consultation about a number of changes it needs to make by 25th May 2011, which is a deadline set by the EU for new telecoms laws to be in place.
These include:
Number portability: Ofcom has already planned to implement one-day mobile number portability from 11th April 2011 but is now planning to introduce the same 24-hour turnaround to businesses porting large quantities of numbers.
SMS access to emergency services: the new EU Framework requires access to emergency services via 112 and 999 for disabled people to be “equivalent to that enjoyed by other end-users”. Ofcom plans to make the current voluntary SMS service a mandatory requirement.
Contract terms: the maximum duration of initial consumer contracts will be 2 years; users must generally be offered a 12-month option.
Ofcom’s consultation will last for six weeks, with a statement due to be issued before 25th May 2011.