With a mission to champion and defend the role of smaller professional communications providers in the converging marketplace, we take a quick look at just some of the ways the Federation of Communications Services (FCS) is achieving that so far this year.
- FCS Code of Practice (CoP)
The FCS Code of Practice (CoP) service provides Ofcom compliant Consumer & Complaint Code templates at an affordable rate for members. FCS has carried out an annual maintenance review to ensure your codes are up to date and remain compliant.
- Ofcom Fixed Voice and Broadband Switching
Ofcom published a quick, easy and reliable switching of fixed Voice and Broadband Statement on 3rd February 2022 containing changes to the General Conditions (click HERE to see the statement). FCS has engaged fully with wider industry to ensure we can provide members with the latest One Touch Switching information and we’re running regular FCS members OTS working group calls (for more information about becoming a member click HERE). Due to its importance to members OTS will also be covered in the opening slot of our annual FCS Comms Provider event on 23rd November (click HERE to sign up to attend this online event).
- OTS implementation impact and potential risk of harm to FCS members (particularly business)
Due to the One Touch Switching implementation impact and potential risk of harm to FCS members, particularly those focussing on Business customers, FCS Head of Industry Liaison, Megan Corcoran, is co-chairing a new industry forum the ‘Gaining Provider Led Business Steering Group’ (GPLBSG). This working group is now holding regular meetings to firm up Business process designs, initial versions of which have already been submitted to the ‘The One Touch Switching Company’ (TOTSCo) industry set up to authorise and deliver the required OTS process and multi-million-pound system development. Megan will continue to be at the forefront of OTS for Business on behalf of FCS members with the clear goal of ensuring that members (and small businesses generally) are not disadvantaged going forward.
- Parliamentary Internet, Communications and Technology
FCS CEO is continuing to be an active member of the Parliamentary Internet, Communications and Technology Forum (PICTFOR). As an official All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) operating in the Houses of Parliament, they bring together Parliamentarians from all parties and both Houses with key players in the internet, communications and technology sectors to engage with the most pressing telecom industry issues of today and tomorrow. PICTFOR is the largest and most active All-Party Parliamentary Group.
- Leading the industry CP Service Management Forum (SMF)
FCS Head of Industry Liaison, Megan Corcoran, is currently leading the industry CP Service Management Forum (SMF), which feeds agreed requirements into Openreach via industry governance to ensure that service concerns industry regard as the highest priority receive the appropriate Openreach focus. Industry engagement with Openreach remains positive and Megan is ensuring that FCS members’ concerns are fully considered, prioritised and progressed.
- Ofcom senior management engagement
FCS has maintained its senior management engagement with Ofcom. During the past year, we have developed a very strong and trust-based working relationship with the new Ofcom Policy and Regulation team, which has resulted in regular meeting calls, the opportunity for us to flag concerns that are key to our members, and some great clarification and steer on complex questions that our members have raised with us.
- NICC Work Groups
This year has been another heavy engagement year for FCS on NICC Work Groups which provide technical interconnect and interoperability standards that enable successful UK telecommunications calls, sessions and connections. Currently NICC is undertaking the following technical activities and developing specifications: ensuring the interoperability of IP networks and service; developing signalling protocol interfaces; Stopping nuisance calls; managing CLI rules and implementation guidance; delivering emergency calls over the network; and providing customer and network protection guidance.
- Number Port Executive Steering Group involvement
FCS is collaborating with the Number Port Executive Steering Group (NPESG) and NICC to develop a roadmap to achieve 3 primary objectives: To establish the most effective way of aligning the number port process with the new ‘one touch switch’ process, by April 2023; transform number management and porting in readiness to meet the demands of an All-IP environment following the planned withdrawal of legacy TDM networks and analogue services; and to establishing a CNDB (Common Numbering Database) to transform number porting in the UK.
- Website to enhance member experience
The FCS website has been developed during the last year and is now structured to enhance our members’ experience. Key documentation from FCS industry engagement on One Touch Switching (OTS) and the Move to All-IP are available for members, together with answers to questions our members have raised with us throughout the year (click HERE to visit the site).
- Making the most of Monthly FCS Comms Service Provider meetings
Our monthly FCS Comms Service Provider (CSP) meetings are now one hour long and will, where appropriate, include spotlight sessions on areas that FCS believe are of interest to members. Our second spotlight session (following on from the first from DCMS on new Security requirements) was in September led by Callum Fraser of the Met Police on Cyber Crime and was well received. Our October session will include an Openreach spotlight update on Full Fibre and the Equinox2 commercial offer. Members who would like us to consider other spotlight topics can let us know at [email protected].
- Free Ombudsman plus membership and individual case preferential rates
Ombudsman Services is a successful, private, not-for-profit company, providing an expert independent alternative dispute resolution service for the communications sector. FCS members receive free membership of Ombudsman plus extremely preferential rates on individual cases they are involved in.
- European Electronic Communication Code (EECC) Guidance
During the year, brand new European Electronic Communication Code (EECC) staggered regulatory requirements have become live. It is important that members comply with the new mandatory EECC requirements and to aid members, a comprehensive dedicated FCS guidance document can be found on the FCS website. Members with questions can contact us directly.
- Member questions answered
During the past year, members have raised over 55 questions and concerns that they have required an answer to. Each has been answered; some have been straightforward, but many have been complex and time-consuming. To help members, details of the questions raised, and the answers provided are now available on the FCS website HERE.
If there is a communications provider issue you would like FCS to champion, please email: [email protected]