NTL Levels Criticism At OFT

NTL has added its voice to the criticism levelled at the OFT by BSkyB yesterday (see Sky/NTL Deal Shelved By OFT) after the regulator announced it would not take a decision on the cable distribution agreement submitted for approval by NTL and Sky in October 2000, saying the process gave a poor reflection of the UK competition system.

NTL’s managing director and chief operating officer, Stephen Carter, said: “It has taken the OFT 16 months to come to the decision that it is not going to come to make a decision. The world has moved on since October 2000, and the agreement that was made then is no longer commercially viable for either party.”

He continued: “All companies in this sector look for effective, appropriate, and most of all, timely intervention of the regulatory authorities. This process reflects poorly on the current UK competition system.”

BSkyB and NTL are said to be continuing discussions on a range of issues.

NTL: 01252 402 000 www.ntl.co.uk

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