December 16th 2003
By: Russ
DTI News Round-up
The DTI has been busy lately:
* The DTI announced today that it is seeking public comment on its proposed guidelines for media mergers. Comments are due no later than March 12, 2004. I'm too tired to read them now, but the guidelines appear fairly exhaustive ...
December 15th 2003
By: Luke
Hodgson On For Gong?
Guardian reports:
Patricia Hodgson, the chairman of the Independent Television Commission, is to become a Dame, having been named on the list as "the stronger" of "two potential K/D (Knight/Dame) candidates in the media sector.
It is not known who the other candidate was, but being made a dame ...
December 14th 2003
By: Russ
Recent Paper on Wireless Spectrum Regulation
Sorry, folks, missed this paper earlier in the year. The author, Patrick Ryan, is an attorney and PhD candidate. I haven't read the paper yet, but it's on my to-do list. I'll then share any thoughts I may have.
December 13th 2003
By: ChrisH
World Summit on the Information Society
Stephen Timms' speech to WSIS (delivered by Nicholas Thorne) can be found here. One paragraph is of particular interest:
"Governments have a vital role to play in ensuring that private operators work to the wider public good. This means developing an enlightened, but focused regulatory approach ...
December 13th 2003
By: ChrisH
Ofcom gets tough on telecoms industry
As Luke mentions, Ofcom have announced a "full scale review of the telecommunications market". The Guardian reports that the industry is pressing for a three pronged approach, one which: considers measures which would lead to BT's dropping of the 'blue bill'; encourages moves to ...
December 12th 2003
By: ChrisH
EMTEL II Reports Available
The EMTEL II (European Media, Technology, and Everyday Life) project reports are now available - click here
The aim of the EMTEL network, funded under the European Commission's 5th Framework Programme, was to investigate the 'information society' from the perspective of 'everyday life'.
The co-ordinator of ...
December 12th 2003
By: Luke
Ofcom Announce Telecoms Review
Ofcom has announced plans to carry out a year-long review to take stock of changes in the telecoms sector aimed at fine-tuning regulations for the future.
"The arrival of the new... regulator, 19 years after the privatisation of BT and the creation of Oftel, presents a unique opportunity ...
December 11th 2003
By: Russ
Your BBC, Your Say
Big news item today. The DCMS announced a major public consultation on the BBC Charter Review process. The goal? Distill the views of millions of people on media issues into a workable policy. Sounds impossible, you say? Hah! Just look at ...
December 11th 2003
By: Luke
Timms Downplays Spam Legislation
New rules to tackle 'spam' e-mails and give phone, fax and internet users more say over how their personal details are used come into force today. The rules apply the EU Directive on Privacy and Electronic Communication.
But e-commerce minister Stephen Timms immediately played down expectations. The EU-backed ...
December 11th 2003
By: Luke
WACT Puts The Boot In
Mike Tedd, chairman of the Welsh Advisory Committee on Telecommunications (WACT) has criticised a range of services in a report to Ofcom, which will replace the body he now belongs to.
He says reception is patchy in rural Wales, affecting business there, that Cardiff is the only ...
