Two new guides - Getting the best deal from your mobile phone service and How to access the Internet at home - will help UK consumers choose the best service for their needs.

The guides advise on the range of things to consider when buying mobile and Internet services, including:

• hints and tips on the different ways to pay for your service;
• how to ensure you don't get stung by unexpected costs; and
• advice about changing your Internet or mobile phone service provider.

David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications said today:

"Consumers have access to a wide range of services and tariffs as a result of the UK having one of the most competitive telecoms markets in the world.

"Consumers continue to take up new services with a quarter of a million UK homes going on-line between February and May of this year and over 500,000 new mobile users in the same period.

"I want to make sure that consumers make the right choice from the range of services on offer.

"Customers new to the Internet or confused by mobile phone choices will benefit from the clear, independent advice published by Oftel today.

"Simply knowing the right questions to ask and the range of options available means consumers can make their purchasing decisions with confidence."

Consumers can get copies of the guides at libraries around the country or by calling Oftel on 020 7634 8761 - or by visiting the website at www.oftel.gov.uk.

Mobile retailers Vodafone and The Link are stocking the mobile guide in their stores. Other retailers have also expressed an interest.

And the Internet guide is being distributed by UK online, the national campaign to help everyone in the UK to get the most from the Internet.

David Edmonds welcomed the wide distribution of the leaflets:

"I am delighted that Vodafone and The Link have agreed to stock over a hundred thousand of our mobile consumer guides and that UK online are supporting the Internet initiative.

"The wide availability will ensure that many consumers will be able to access this useful advice."

Notes to editors

1. Oftel's consumer guides are available to the media from Oftel's Press Office on 020 7634 8991 and to the public from Oftel's Research and Information Unit on 020 7634 8761. The consumer guides are also available on Oftel's website at www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/consumer/consguides/mob0902.htm for the mobile leaflet and www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/consumer/consguides/int0902.htm for the Internet leaflet.

2. Information about the Internet - what it is and what it can do for you, as well as where you can get access - is available from UK online, the national