ECTA has today published a position paper (beware, it’s very short), insinuating that incumbent telcos might use Next Generation Networks as a cynical tool to circumvent regulation and stifle competition. Tisk, tisk. When have we ever seen a regulator ringfence new technology and ignore issues of significant market power? I’m curious to [...]
OfcomWatch friend, Yves Blondeel of T-REGS, posted an excellent summary and analysis of the latest developments in the EU’s consideration of Europe’s regulatory framework for electronic communications.
The best nugget from T-REGS report:
Kai-Uwe Ricke, Executive Chairman of Deutsche Telekom, stressed that, in his opinion, ‘the main problem is not the current legal framework, but the current [...]
The Better Regulation Executive website is here. The government is still accepting applications to fill the post until 31 May 2005.
As we’ve reported in the past, there is a new breeze blowing throughout the UK regulatory sector… emphasising deregulation / light-touch regulation / cost-benefit analysis, etc. All of this is related to weak [...]
* I’m going to stop banging-on about the Ofcom R18 ban (eventually), but I thought I would share a few more thoughts about the decision:
1. The reaction to the R18 ban (or lack of reaction) says alot about the British system of content regulation. The decision–from an economic standpoint–is a significant and highly intrusive market [...]
I’m following up on Russ’s post yesterday in which he takes issue with the comment in Robin Foster’s speech that “As any broadcasting economist will tell you, [advertising] also creates a very imperfect market”. Since I sometimes admit to being an economist I’ve given a little thought to whether the “very” [...]
[Update: An alert reader just pointed out that my reference to the 'recent speech by Richard Hooper' was incorrect - the speech was made by Ofcom's Robin Foster. My bad. So, in true Orweillian fashion, I've amended the post. We've always been at war with Oceania.]
Ofcom just published a recent speech [...]
Perhaps it was a little over-shadowed by the release of Ofcom’s Broadcast Code this week, but I wanted to call attention to the Treasury’s Better Regulation Action Plan ~ an initiative that can best be described as a pro-business / pro-growth and de-regulatory agenda for the regulatory sector.
So, folks, in this new attempt to rescue [...]
It seems these days that fast food complaints are frequently finding themselves on Ofcom�s menu. So, it�s hardly surprising that Jamie Oliver has been the subject of a number of complaints with his show Jamie�s School Dinners. The 9pm, Channel 4, show attempted to change the eating habits of children to be more healthy and [...]
I always appreciate a bit of exposure, but I have to say that I have some big problems with this post at Business Week, citing me as an apparent vindication for a view that telecom is poised for some sort of reinvention, in a positive sense. Firstly, I disagree strongly with the assertion that Europe [...]
Guardian reports (from the WMF)…
“The veteran television regulator, Sarah Thane, has joined the BBC’s growing band of consultants advising the board of governors.
Three months after she quit the media watchdog Ofcom, Ms Thane will focus her efforts on advising the BBC governance unit led by Sir Nicholas Kroll.
Ms Thane left Ofcom in April after less [...]
The Aussies are still looking for someone to head up their new broadcasting regulator, the Australian Communications and Media Authority. The decision is reported to have been further delayed, with no decision now expected before mid-June, just weeks before the new authority is due to come into being on July 1.
Ofcom’s current Deputy Chairman Richard [...]
Ofcom�s new broadcasting code was published today. Despite claiming to reduce the regulatory burden and to regulate with a lighter touch what is actually in the code demonstrates the exact opposite. The ITC program code ran to 51 pages. Ofcom�s broadcasting code is 88 pages long with an additional 46 pages of guidance.
Our evidence based [...]
I read Russ� comments about the recent Ofcom Consumer Panel research with interest. As an independent Panel we welcome views on how we can get closer to the issues which really affect consumers. I think Russ is wrong to suggest we are overstating the research though. We set out to conduct an extensive piece of [...]
OfcomWatch friend Yves Blondeel wrote us concerning the EC’s proposal, released yesterday, concerning Universal Service and its application to mobile and broadband technologies. The EC said… oh, wait a minute, just read T-REG’s excellent description.
We�ll get Paul Tavener�s thoughts on the substance of the new Broadcast Code later, but I thought I would start with my typical focus�procedures.
In the new Code, a certain amount of personal freedom is restricted�the freedom of an over-18 to watch BBFC R18 content over a broadcast platform. The justification for that restriction is:
Research [...]
After many delays Ofcom has finally published its Broadcasting Code.
This is the moment when we find out whether Ofcom is proportionate, balanced and light touch. It’s also a test of its independence.
Full coverage to follow.
Ofcom yesterday published guidelines to help e-communications services providers (CSPs) set up methods for resolving disputes with customers.
U.K. law requires CSPs to have codes of practice for residential and small business customers accurately stating standard terms and conditions, pricing, and access to publicly available telephone services, including details on alternative dispute resolution processes used to [...]
US press-freedom group says UN’s new accreditation regulations, barring of Taiwanese journalists, violate the world body’s own rights declaration
Taipei TimesSunday, May 22, 2005
The US journalists’ group the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) on Friday protested the UN Geneva Office’s recent decision to deny Taiwanese reporters access to cover the annual meeting of the World Health [...]
Powell urges governments to regulate the Internet for the protection of consumers at the Seoul Digital Forum
The Korea TimesFriday, May 20, 2005
Washington, D.C. — In the wake of the digital age, former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Michael Powell has appealed to governments worldwide to speed up the regulatory process in telecommunications.
“It does [...]
Today’s discussion at the Westminster Media Forum event did not go into any detail on the issue of BBC market impact. The BBC confirmed its commitment to the proposals in the DCMS Green Paper for market impact assessment to be an integral part of the approval process for new services, and for the BBC to [...]
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