APPENDIX 94
Supplementary memorandum submitted by
Iris Robinson MP MLA
I write to you in relation to the draft Communication
Bill that has recently been published. I have been contacted by
concerned organisations in Northern Ireland who have requested
that I contact you, because of their belief that the Bill fails
to take into account the specific regional differences which Northern
Ireland has.
I understand that Scottish and Welsh MP's have
successfully introduced a new clause into the Bill providing OFCOM
offices in each of their countries. However, Northern Ireland
has not received such a provision and as a result I feel is being
unfairly treated.
Northern Ireland is the only region of the UK
which borders another European Union country, and as a consequence
over 50 per cent of our mobile phone users suffer roaming onto
a foreign network, costing them up to 10 times the cost of a normal
local call. Northern Ireland has six times the number of households
without any access to fixed or mobile phones than the rest of
the UK, clearly indicating a much higher level of social exclusion
and specific differences with the rest of the UK.
Northern Ireland under the current arrangement
does have regional offices of the Radiocommunications Agency,
the ITC and NIACT and as such handles, on a regional basis, the
complaints which arrive specific to this region's needs. I feel
that this must continue under OFCOM. Northern Ireland should have
statutory regional representation within OFCOM and as such better
represent the specific needs of this part of the UK.
I hope that you will consider favourably my
views on this matter and indeed that of the Northern Ireland organisations
affected. I feel that it is only fair and proper that Northern
Ireland receive equal recognition to that of the rest of the United
Kingdom. I would like to thank you in advance for the attention
you have shown to me in this matter.
June 2002
| 
