Ofcom has reversed its decision to axe the Communications Consumer Panel (CCP).

The CCP is funded and appointed by Ofcom, despite claiming to be an "independent" advisory body that represents the interests of consumers.

The telecoms regulator announced last year that the Panel would close in early 2011, as part of its cost-cutting measures.

Now it appears to have had a temporary change of heart. "In our October 2010 newsletter we reported that the Panel was going to be abolished and that we would be working through the implications of this decision," reads a statement from the CCP.

PC Probe
Coomunications Consumer Panel: the Ofcom protection racket?

"Ofcom has now said that it will maintain the Panel for at least a year, while the necessary legislative changes are made. The Panel is currently discussing with Ofcom the resources that will be available to it during this period."

"The Panel wants to ensure that it will be able to continue representing consumers in the communications sector effectively. This means having the independence, staff and funding to be able to highlight the issues that matter to consumers and build a case for action, by carrying out consumer research where necessary."

The Panel has been criticised for its failure to represent consumer interests in the past. The CCP, which had an annual budget in excess of £700,000 in 2008/9, was branded "the Industry Backside Protection Unit" by a representative of Lord Corbett at a Westminster eForum.

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/broadband/3 ... -execution

I'd say that last paragraph tells the real story there...

Scrap the panel and allow another completely independent body represent consumers. In fact we seriously need a consumer protection law that protects consumers.