British Telecom's ‘Privacy at Home' service was in the spotlight when the Glass and glazing federation met with OFCOM on the 7th Feb.

The GGF asked the telecoms regulator to consider if BT's promotion and marketing of the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) is a direct attempt to stifle competition in the Telecoms market by limiting opportunities for BT's competitors to access its own existing customer base yet allowing itself an exemption to market its own services. OFCOM will now consider the GGF's case and report back.

Ian Chisholm, GGF Deputy Chief Executive, told Glass Age: ‘As well as registering consumers with TPS they've been sending out window stickers saying ‘I don't want door canvassers'. They've stepped outside their trading remit by offering these stickers.'

He added: ‘This is a double whammy from BT which is at the very least giving the impression of trying to stifle competition by not only making tele-canvassing of its customers almost impossible but is also trying to limit door to door sales via no calling zones and a campaign against door step selling. BT is exhibiting classic behaviour of a company in a monopoly position trying to retain its monopoly.'

Source

Glass Age