Ofcom - 1983

April Mercury launched its first telecoms services in the City of London.

May Licences were granted to Cellnet and Vodafone to provide national cellular radio networks.

July The Telecommunications Bill was reintroduced. The Bill allowed for the selling of BT and setting up of Oftel.

November Minister for Information Technology Kenneth Baker set out the ‘duopoly’ policy limiting the number of long-distance fixed-link operators to two – British Telecom and Mercury – for seven years. ( Kingston upon Hull City Council would continue to supply the service in the Hull area.) He also announced further liberalisation in equipment supply and maintenance.

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