Ofcom Consumer Panel Releases Statement of Intent

The document can be found here.

The key points:

* The Panel will produce an annual report in July 2004.

* The Panel, similar to Ofcom will be ‘evidence-based’ and will develop a research programme to generate such evidence.

* The Panel will only intervene where it can (i) ‘add value’ (ii) on an issue of relevance where there is (iii) a ‘real and significant risk of consumer detriment’.

* Each of the eleven Panel members has associated themselves with a particular consumer sub-interest (e.g., ‘people on low incomes’) and will produce a proposal to the Panel with recommendations on how to proceed.

* The Panel will conduct consumer research on the media and communications marketplace, commencing in April 2004, and likely repeating that effort on an annual basis.

* The Panel identifies four priority areas for consumers:
+ The digital TV transition
+ VoIP
+ Spectrum availability and pricing
+ PSB issues