This statement sets out Ofcom’s conclusions concerning a proposal to extend the charge controls on 2G voice call termination for a further year after 31 March 2006 when they would otherwise expire. Ofcom set out its impact assessment of this proposal in a document entitled “Wholesale mobile voice call termination markets – a proposal to modify the charge control conditions “ which was published by Ofcom on 7 June 2005 (the “June 2005 consultation”).
Having reviewed the responses to the June 2005 consultation exercise, Ofcom has concluded that it should make modifications to the charge control conditions which extend the charge controls, at the same Target Average Charge, including the same Weights Adjustment Factor, which applied during the period 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006, for a further year to 31 March 2007. The necessary modifications to the SMP services conditions MC3, MC4, MD3 and MD4 are explained at paragraph 4.12 below. The formal Notification setting out the modification to the SMP conditions is attached at Annex 1. Ofcom looks forward to continuing to work with stakeholders to determine the appropriate approach to regulation after March 2007.