Ofcom intervention urged in Virgin dispute

Colette Bow, Ofcom's consumer panel chairman, has written to Ofcom head Ed Richards to request the regulator helps to find a resolution to the BSkyB and Virgin Media carriage deal dispute.

In a letter to Richards, Bow said customers are finding it difficult to get what they want and are also paying for, and requests Ofcom intervenes.

Earlier this month over three million Virgin Media customers lost access to Sky basic channels, including Sky One, because of the dispute.

The letter said: "The Panel is now concerned that problems for consumers are developing in this market that are not easy for consumers to resolve themselves directly – and which are therefore generating serious consumer detriment."

"We are concerned, therefore, that there are, right at this moment, consumers who are being disadvantaged and who will find it difficult to use the normal mechanisms available in other market places to get what they want – and are paying for."

The consumer panel, which was set up by the regulator to act as an independent voice on behalf of consumers in telecoms disputes, is the second consumer organisation to take an interest in this battle.

The National Consumer Council (NCC) said it was considering bringing a 'supercomplaint' against the two companies.