Oftel has taken on public affairs support as it gears up for the
creation of communications super-regulator Ofcom.
Public affairs agency APCO has been tasked with assisting the telecoms
regulator with its parliamentary work for an initial six-month
period.
Oftel head of communications Duncan Stroud says this will focus on the
parliamentary transition of the Communications Bill, which is due to
become law by 2003 and includes the setting up of Ofcom.
APCO won the account following a pitch in September (PR Week, 28
September).
Oftel director David Edmonds is among those being tipped to head
Ofcom.
Ofcom will supersede Oftel and four other media regulatory bodies, the
Independent Television Commission, the Radio Authority, the Broadcasting
Standards Commission and the Radio Communications Agency.
All five have formed a working party, the Regulators Steering Group, to
liaise with the Government about the Communications Bill.