To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions his Department has had with Ofcom on consumer access to third party services from all (a) next generation and (b) public communication networks. (311874)

The Department has regular discussions with Ofcom across a range of subject areas, including access to third party services over communication networks. I provided some details of a recent case concerning 118 directory enquiry providers in reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Sittingbourne and Sheppey (Derek Wyatt). In addition, officials from my Department have discussed with Ofcom regulation of third parties’ ability to use BT’s network to provide a service, including BT's next generation access network. The Department has also discussed with Ofcom issues relating to the openness of the internet, including in the context of European discussions.

Decisions on regulation of access to communications networks remain a matter for the regulator.