Today Ofcom announced a recommendation for Mobile Termination Rates to be lowered to 0.5p, which everyone here at Terminate the Rate thinks is fantastic news for UK consumers. Ofcom’s recommendation does however mean that people will have to wait until 2014 to experience the full benefit of lower termination rates. The drop in MTRs will take place over a period of 4 years, coming down to 2.5p by the end of April 2011, 1.5p by the end of April 2012, 0.9p by the end of April 2013 and eventually arriving at 0.5p by the end of April 2014.

We obviously think low Mobile Termination Rates will bring real benefits to consumers. The reduction is long overdue in our opinion, and we call on Ofcom to bring it in as soon as possible, instead of waiting until 2014 to deliver the full benefit to people around the UK. Today’s decision shows that Ofcom has listened to the 65 organisations, 135,000 people and 262 MPs that backed our call for a reduction. Consumers, businesses, charities, unions and local authorities have made their views clear and can expect better deals as a result.

We thank you for all your support over the last 11 months. This however is not the end, and we will continue to highlight the benefits of low MTRs and support Ofcom’s decision throughout the remaining 12 months of the consultation period, which may see considerable pressure being brought to bear by those in opposition.