And that is that consumers are now getting a better deal than they were back in 1984. And reliability has also improved. To ensure that Oftel's goal of providing the best deal for consumers in terms of choice, quality and value for money continues, the way we regulate has to change as well. Regulators must be as innovative and responsive as consumers, operators and service providers. This is the challenge facing all communications regulators.
Effective competition is the best way to ensure that consumers get the best deal.
But I firmly believe that the best way for regulators to continue delivering for consumers is to apply appropriate regulation. That is, regulation that is effective but not overly burdensome. Let me explain what I mean by appropriate regulation , in the context of Oftel's strategy. As I have just said, effective competition is the best way to deliver the best deals for consumers. A well informed consumer knows what rights they have and is, therefore, empowered to stand up for themselves.