Advertising price cap to be removed
The controls came into force in 2007, when the Competition Commission said prices for classified advertising in the Yellow Pages were higher than they would have been in a well-functioning market. But the OFT said yesterday it believed this was no longer the case, given the growth in internet access and its usage by both consumers and advertisers.
It has opened a month-long consultation but said it expects to advise the Competition Commission that it should consider releasing Yellow Pages owner Hibu – formerly known as Yell – from the undertakings.
The company, which has long argued that no regulation is needed, is increasingly focusing on digital operations.