To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate he has made of the cost to the consumer of the setting of mobile termination rates above marginal costs in each year since 2003. (250339)

It falls to the Office of Communications (Ofcom) as the regulator in the telecommunications sector to reach decisions on how to set regulated mobile termination rates. In March 2007, Ofcom published a market review statement for the period 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2011 following a two-year market review and extensive industry consultation. This statement is currently subject to two appeals before the Competition Appeal Tribunal and the Competition Commission. The outcome of these appeals will determine the appropriate mobile termination rates in the near term.