Jersey Competition Regulator to benchmark retail telecommunications prices

A market study is a flexible tool to explore whether a market, or a feature of a market (such as pricing), is working well for Jersey consumers. A market study can help determine whether action that will encourage changes to consumer behaviour, business behaviour, or both, will help address any market problems found. An important point to note is that the focus of a market study is not the actions of any specific business or firm.

The study will follow the OECD’s established methodology to compare retail prices for key consumer services as of quarter 4 2021. The study will be carried out against the published terms of reference set out below.

The JCRA shall conduct a market study to benchmark retail prices for telecommunications services in Jersey as of quarter 4 2021. The study will use the benchmarking methodology established by the OECD. The comparison will be between prices charged in Jersey and those charged in OECD member countries and comparator jurisdictions (e.g., Guernsey, the Isle of Man) for different defined services. In particular:

• Fixed voice services
• Mobile voice and data services
•  Fixed broadband services
• Mobile broadband services (dongle-based mobile broadband) and
• Bundled services
  • Phone and broadband
  • Triple play, phone, broadband and mobile.

For the purposes of this terms of reference the services are defined consistent with the appropriate OECD methodology and the figures will be adjusted according to the general price level for each jurisdiction to allow for comparison on a purchasing power parity basis.

The study will commence in November 2021 and the findings of the study will be published in quarter 1 of 2022. Further details about the study are available in the Frequently Asked Questions document issued alongside these terms of reference.

For information, here are links to the OECD methodologies:

• OECD Fixed Voice Price Benchmarking Methodology
• OECD Mobile Voice and Data Price Benchmarking Methodology
• OECD Fixed Broadband Price Benchmarking Methodology
• OECD Mobile Broadband Price Benchmarking Methodology
• OECD Bundled Communication Price Benchmarking Methodology.