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New champion appointed for consumers' telco gripes

"Cheap and cheerful justice for the common man..."

By Ben King

Published: 13 June 2002 17:10 BST

Today sees the appointment of a new telecoms ombudsman to help consumers with complaints against telecoms providers.

Oftel currently has a 'mediation and conciliation' role in disputes between the public and telecoms firms, but it has no power to enforce a decision.

The telecoms Ombudsman will take over this role from Oftel. It can make awards of up to £5,000, a spokesman said.

The decisions are legally binding, but the consumer can still go to court if they don't like the Ombudsman's decision.

The spokesman said: "It's cheap and cheerful justice for the common man. The Ombudsman makes decisions more accessible for the general public without them having to go to court."

The first Telecoms Ombudsman will be Elizabeth France, currently information commissioner. She will begin dealing with complaints at the start of next year.

The Ombudsman will be industry funded, and independent of government and the regulator.

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