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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

6 February 2012

Ofcom proposes new wholesale charge controls for Openreach

Ofcom has notified the European Commission of provisional new charge controls that will apply to certain services provided by Openreach, BT (LSE: BT-A.L - news) 's wholesale access division. Ofcom will adopt the new controls, subject to the outcome of the European Commission's new consultation process*.

The prices are regulated by Ofcom because Openreach has been found to have significant market power in the delivery of these services.

Ofcom is publishing its draft decision to provide transparency of the European Commission notification process as this is the first time this new procedure has been used for a major regulatory decision on telecoms in the UK.

Provisional new prices

Ofcom is proposing the following controls on annual rental charges (which are expected to run until 31 March 2014):

· A fully unbundled line to a property - where a communications provider takes over the line to provide broadband and telephone services.

The price currently charged by Openreach is £91.50. Under Ofcom's draft decision this will be set to £87.41 for financial year 2012/13 and decrease further in the next year in accordance with the formula RPI -5.9%.

· A shared unbundled line to a property - where a communications provider uses a proportion of the line only for the provision of broadband.

The wholesale price today is £14.70 per year. Under Ofcom's draft decision this will be set to £11.92 for financial year 2012/13 and decrease further in the next year in accordance with the formula RPI -15.9%.

· Wholesale line rental - used by communications providers to offer telephone services to consumers using lines rented from Openreach.

The price today is £103.68 per year. Under Ofcom's draft decision this will be set to £98.81 for financial year 2012/13 and decrease further in the next year in accordance with the formula RPI -7.3%.

Ofcom expects to publish a final decision in early March.

The draft statement can be found here:

http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/llu-wlr-further-consultation/statement

ENDS

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. * Under the revised European Framework that was transposed into UK law in May 2011, Ofcom is required to submit charge control proposals to the European Commission for their review. The European Commission has one month to review the draft decision during which it can comment and/or initiate further examination. The Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) and other equivalent EU Member State national regulatory authorities also have the opportunity to comment during this one month period.

This is a change to the previous process under which Ofcom consulted with UK stakeholders and the EU at the same time. Following the changes, Ofcom is now required to consult the EU after having undertaken a UK consultation. In this case, Ofcom carried out consultations in March and November (Stuttgart: A0Z24E - news) 2011 to obtain the views of stakeholders including BT Openreach, its customers and its competitors. The provisional prices being notified to the EU by Ofcom already take account of the outcome of these consultations.

2. A major component of how Ofcom calculates the charge controls is the cost of Openreach's network of underground ducts which are used to carry copper lines to homes and businesses. BT Group carried out a re-evaluation of the Openreach duct network in 2010. The draft decision sets out, subject to the European Commission's review, Ofcom's consideration of the appropriate value of ducts to be reflected in LLU and WLR charges.

3. This is the third time that Ofcom has set wholesale prices for these services.

4. Openreach was created in January 2006 after Ofcom accepted legally-binding Undertakings from BT Group plc. This resulted in the creation of Openreach as an operationally separate business unit which provides wholesale access telecoms services to all communications providers on an equivalent basis.

5. Under section 3 (1) of the Communications Act 2003, Ofcom's principal duty is to further the interests of citizens in relation to communications matters and of consumers in relevant markets, where appropriate by promoting competition.

6. Ofcom is the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio, telecommunications, wireless communications and postal services.

7. For further information about Ofcom please visit: http://www.ofcom.org.uk. Ofcom's news releases can be found at: http://media.ofcom.org.uk/.

CONTACT

Media (Frankfurt: 725292 - news) : Elizabeth de Winton

elizabeth.dewinton@ofcom.org.uk

Analysts: Chris Wynn

chris.wynn@ofcom.org.uk

Ofcom

(+44) (0)300 123 4000

Read this article:
OFCOM - Charge control review for LLU and WLR services

by Veronica Sanchez - Feb. 6, 2012 12:00 AM
12 News

Here's three words that will strike fear in the hearts of some women and send them running to the medicine cabinet: birth-control recall. I know it rattled me as I was getting ready for work last Wednesday and media outlets sounded the alert.

Drug giant Pfizer Inc. recalled nearly a million packets of birth-control pills after it discovered that blister packs of the contraceptive were rotated 180 degrees, which apparently changed the order in which women take their pills, leaving them vulnerable to pregnancy. They recalled 14 lots of lo/Ovral-28 tablets and 14 lots of Norgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol tablets.

When the news broke, a lot of women took to the Internet. Their comments ranged from "That explains why I'm due with #3 on August 27th" to "I've been trying to get pregnant for almost 3 years, hand them over to me."

What should you do if you've been taking the recalled birth-control pills or are unclear if the one you're taking is part of the recall? Immediately contact your doctor. The FDA is also instructing those affected to return their birth control to their pharmacists and then take a pregnancy test.

Recalls are in place to limit liability for corporate negligence and to avoid damage to the public. They are costly to a company because they typically entail replacing the recalled product or paying for damages caused by the recalled product's use.

This particular recall is likely the most serious one involving women so far this year.

See the article here:
Call doctor on recall of birth control

STATE HOUSE BUREAU

Yesterday at 12:00 AM
Outside money likely to continue flooding into Maine elections

By Susan M. Cover scover@mainetoday.com
MaineToday Media State House Writer

AUGUSTA -- With 10 open seats in the Senate and a close margin in the House, Maine Democrats and Republicans are gearing up for a big election year.

Two years ago, Republicans took control of both houses and the governor's office for the first time since 1966.

Control of both houses is up for grabs again, said Mark Brewer, political science professor at the University of Maine.

"It's certainly conceivable you could have a change in partisan control in one or both chambers," he said. "Given the fact the governor has pushed a pretty aggressive and controversial agenda, the success or failure of his agenda lies largely with the results of this election, at least after this (legislative) session."

This year will see the largest number of state senators - five from each party - timed out of office since term limits became law in 1993. That opens the Senate to newcomers, or in many cases, sitting House members.

More than 150 candidates already have signed up in advance of the March 15 filing deadline; and with 186 seats available, more than twice that number are expected to run.

Both parties say they expect to field candidates in almost every race, even in districts where they know they have little chance of winning. Both also say they are optimistic about their odds in November.

"I think what helps us is most people recognize the Legislature has moved the ship of state just slightly closer to the middle," said Charlie Webster, chairman of the Maine Republican Party. "I don't think people are upset with what the Legislature has done."

Democrats disagree, noting that Republican majorities approved the ban on same-day voter registration, which voters later repealed. Democratic Party spokeswoman Lizzy Reinholt cited other examples, including bills that have proposed getting rid of the state's Clean Elections laws.

"Overall, there have been tons of distractions," she said. "The eye hasn't been kept on the ball - the economy and jobs."

Republicans control the House 77-72-1, with one vacancy after last week's resignation of Rep. David Burns, R-Alfred, pending a possible indictment on ethics charges. In November, the ethics commission found that Burns had violated seven parts of state law governing Clean Election funds, including using the money for personal purposes, filing false documents, and reporting expenditures that never occurred. The matter has been referred to the Attorney General's Office, with charges expected to be filed this week.

Another House seat would become vacant later this month if Rep. Dana Dow, R-Waldoboro, wins the Senate District 20 seat in a Feb. 14 special election. He faces Democrat Christopher Johnson of Somerville.

In the Senate, the current margin is 19-14-1. The District 20 seat became vacant when Sen. David Trahan, R-Waldoboro, left the Senate after becoming executive director of the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine.

The November ballot will be full of candidates and issues relevant to Mainers, including the presidential race, Republican U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe's bid for re-election, both congressional elections, and an all-but-certain referendum on gay marriage, as well as the House and Senate races.

HOUSE

Few predicted a Republican takeover of the House in 2010, and the 151 races are always hard to call. So far, about 110 candidates have filed to run for the seats.

Two seats in particular could factor into who controls the chamber next year.

Burns' resignation last week opens a seat representing the York County towns of Alfred, Limerick, Newfield and Shapleigh. Once the towns officially notify the governor of the vacancy, he will work with Secretary of State Charlie Summers to set a date for a special election.

If Dow wins the District 20 Senate seat, it will open up the seat in House District 50, which consists of Bremen, Nobleboro, Waldoboro and part of Jefferson.

If Republicans retain both seats, they will keep their 78-72-1 majority.

But if Democrats win both, it would be 76-74-1, with independent Rep. Ben Chipman of Portland voting with Democrats more often than not. Regardless of what happens between now and April, both parties believe the House is up for grabs.

SENATE

Among the 10 lawmakers leaving because of term limits are high-powered legislators on both sides.

The GOP is losing Senate President Kevin Raye, Senate Majority Leader Jon Courtney, Assistant Senate Majority Leader Debra Plowman, Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Rosen and Judiciary Committee Chairman David Hastings.

Of those, only Plowman has filed to run for office again. She is seeking election to the House.

On the Democratic side, Minority Leader Barry Hobbins, former Majority Leader Phil Bartlett, former Appropriations Chairman Bill Diamond, Sen. Nancy Sullivan and Sen. Elizabeth Schneider are all prevented from running for re-election.

Sullivan has filed to run for the House.

State Senate primaries will be held for at least three Democratic and two Republican seats in June. More are possible, depending on who files to run by the March 15 deadline.

Republicans in Senate District 13, which consists of 14 towns in Oxford and Cumberland counties, will decide between two sitting House members: Rep. Richard Cebra of Naples and Rep. James Hamper of Oxford. Senate District 33 also will have a Republican primary, with Assistant House Majority Leader Andre Cushing of Hampden facing Rep. David Richardson of Carmel.

For the Democrats, former Rep. Stephen Beaudette of Biddeford and David Dutremble of Biddeford will compete for the Senate District 4 nomination. That district covers four towns in York County.

Nearby Senate District 5, which includes five additional towns in York County, will see Democratic Reps. Don Pilon of Saco and Linda Valentino, also of Saco, on the June ballot.

In Waterville, newcomers Dana Hernandez and Colleen Lachowicz will compete for the Democratic nomination in Senate District 25.

Two years ago, outside money played a significant role in five Senate races. The Republican State Leadership Committee, based in Virginia, spent nearly $400,000 in the last two weeks of the election. All five Republican candidates who benefited from the independent expenditure won. Brewer said he expects more outside spending this time around.

"The days of that not being the case (are) over," he said. "Outside money is going to continue to flood into Maine."

Read more:
Control of both houses once again up for grabs

12-12-2011 12:35 JD's drum cover of Lose Control. Official track by Keri Hilson ft. Nelly. (C) 2011 Mosley Music/Interscope Records. Shot and directed by Robin Datema from Dux Deluxe Media. Camera: Robin Datema /

Excerpt from:
Keri Hilson - Lose Control ft. Nelly drum cover by Jordy Datema [official HD] - Video

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Take this weekend to relax, watch some football and use this list to catch up on our best resources in no time!

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