Catalogue description Records of the Office of Telecommunications (Oftel)

The Office of Telecommunications (Oftel) was established under the Telecommunications Act 1984. Under the Act, the Director General was required to carry out a number of functions including the provision of advice to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on telecommunications matters; the granting of operating licences; ensuring that licensees comply with their licence conditions; promoting the interests of consumers and encouraging effective competition.

To fulfil these responsibilities, the Director General has six Advisory Committees (ACTs) to provide advise on a number of specific issues. Four of the ACTs deal with issues in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The remaining two ACTS examine the concerns of the elderly and disabled and small businesses.

In 2003, under the Communications Act 2003, the Agency was one of the five former regulatory bodies for telecommunications which were replaced by Ofcom (the Office of Communications).