Oftel regulated the whole of Britain's telecoms industry until the end of 2003. The new regulatory body is Ofcom which manages the whole of the UK communications industry.

Set up under the Telecommunications Act 1984, Oftel comprised of three directorates:

• The Regulatory Policy directorate, which developed new policies on telecoms.

• Compliance - the consumer end of Oftel, this directorate ensured that phone companies meet relevant obligations under the Telecoms and Competition laws and regulations.

• Business Support was the department that supported the entire industry.

Oftel was responsible for promoting the interests of consumers, maintaining and promoting competition within the industry, and ensuring all reasonable consumer demands were met, including emergency numbers, public phones and services in rural areas. Ofcom has now taken over all of Oftel's former duties and can give you information previously held by Oftel.