Another step towards analogue switch off

Yesterday Ofcom published the new digital replacement licences (DRLs) offer for commercial terrestrial broadcasters. These would allow broadcasts by ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Public Teletext until definite switch off in 2012. The licences include, in addition to public service requirements, new digital switchover obligations. The deadline for ...

The Unbearable Lightness of Being Ofcom

Today's FT has an interesting piece on Ofcom's image and work-product as it nears the end of its first year in the regulation business. We're told: [S]ome broadcasters grumble at how the regulator has gone about its work. A board member at one TV network says: "We were promised light-touch ...

Ofcom seeks comment on access to BT’s 21CN

Ofcom's consultation document, released on 25 Nov 2004, is available here. Some nuggets: * Mass migration to BT's 21st Century Network (21CN) is estimated to hit 50% by 2008. * The 21CN is ultra-cool and futuristic. * Ofcom want to ensure that the 21CN 'accommodates competition from the outset', but ...

OfcomWatch book corner…

Want to know more about digital television in Europe? Hot off the presses: Digital Terrestrial Television in Europe. The book is divided into two sections: (i) the initial portion which covers policy and technical issues from a broad perspective; and (ii) the second portion which consists of eight ...

Oxford Media Convention - 20 January 2005

Details are here. PSB-issues, the charter review, advertising... looks like a great programme.

The European Commission and the Media: What Coordination?

The Barroso Commission, after some havoc, took off yesterday. A matter of primary concern seems to be their relationships with the media industry. The new European Commission thinks that these need improving and has proposed to appoint Commissioner Viviane Reding (the new Commissioner for Information Society, Audiovisual Policy and the ...

Spectrum conference London - Philip Ruttnam on the review

See http://www.euconferences.com/radiospectrum04_agenda.htm for the first conference to discuss the OfCom proposals - more once it's in session tomorrow...

Ofcom releases spectrum framework review

The document is available here. The consultation is intended to set Ofcom's approach to spectrum management for the foreseeable future. Ofcom generally intend to use fewer 'command and control' style regulations concerning spectrum use. Responses to the consultation are due 15 February 2005. More on this later...

DT - Ofcom not known by businesses and consumers

Today's DT highlights a major problem with Ofcom's consultation process. A large number of businesses and individuals don't actually know that the regulator exists or what its role is. There are serious questions for the Ofcom Consumer Panel here, as the article states, "Of the 79 submissions made to phase one ...

Ofcom asks: How can we make BT play nice in the sandbox?

Ofcom�s Strategic Review of Telecommunications (SRT) Phase 2 report is available here. Luke has already supplied the main news: BT must ensure �equivalence�, which basically means that rival operators must be given �real� equality of access to BT�s network (similar to what ...

About OfcomWatch

Mission - OfcomWatch is an informal group blog commenting on the processes and practices of the Office of Communications (Ofcom) and related media and communications regulation issues both in the United Kingdom and around the world...

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May 11th 2008
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The GMTV phone-in scandal: Was Ofcom too soft?

I SHOULD ADD: I've written before how failed or inadequate regulatory remedies for consumers in the UK are opening the door to a relatively new type of remedy: the class action lawsuit. Well, it turns out the case of the GMTV wrongdoing that at least one large law firm may be ...
May 9th 2008
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Ofcom pluralism book: Tim Suter on impartiality in broadcasting

I thought one of the more engaging articles in Ofcom's recent book on pluralism was written by Tim Suter. In his piece Suter questions the notion that rules on due impartiality are coherent and future-proof. He writes in part: 'The fact that the requirement for impartiality stretches back to ...
May 6th 2008
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UK no. 1 in broadband international league table…

According to the OECD's most recent statistics, the UK is number 1 in the international league table of people videoing their destruction of ADSL wireless routers: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgBNc8Z0Zxk[/youtube] What is it about BT Home Hubs that drive people to violence?
May 2nd 2008
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OfcomWatch Friday Film Festival: Tiscali under scrutiny…

Here's an instant classic: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cBVAu927mw[/youtube]
May 1st 2008
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Rapture responds to OW post about Ofcom appeal…

This is Rapture thing is getting a bit tired. Isn't the fundamental problem here that satellite television carriage is just really expensive and under-capitalised firms who want to reach the public are better off just maintaining a web presence? I had the unfortunate task in my earlier job ...

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