The investigation focuses on two firms, Patientline and Premier Managed Payphones, who have contracts with NHS trusts to install and run entertainment and communications systems for patients – including bedside phones.
It will consider whether the prices charged for making calls to hospital patients are excessive, whether the recorded message at the beginning of each call increases costs excessively and whether the agreements between the firms and NHS Trusts are anticompetitive.
Speaking to the BBC, a spokesman for Premier Managed Payphones said, "We will co-operate with Ofcom, but we have entered into these deals on the NHS's terms. They selected the best kit available."
According to The Register, Patientline has stated that it will "co-operate fully with Ofcom on this investigation, which the board believes will vindicate the terms of the licences and contracts required by the NHS, as well as Patientline's charges, which were specified in its licence agreement with the NHS".
