Termination charges are the set fees that operators charge each other and fixed line telecoms companies for connecting calls to their networks, fees which they pass on to the consumer. The Competition Commission (CC) had proposed that these charges should be cut by nearly 50% over the next three years, beginning with a 15% cut by 25th July.
David Edmonds Director General of Telecommunications, said:
"I am delighted that Oftel's arguments have been totally vindicated and that our processes and those of the Competition Commission have been shown to be fair and proper."
Concluding his case against the operators, Justice Moses displayed rare judicial humour in his written thanks to the lawyers for the clarity of their submissions: "To them I hope it is not inappropriate 2 xpress thnx 4 all thr gr8 wrk."
The full text of the ruling by Justice Moses is here.
The Competition Commission's Report on the charges made by Vodafone, O2, Orange and T-Mobile for terminating calls from fixed and mobile networks was published in January 2003. O2 was not a party to the judicial review.