September 20th 2007
By: Russ
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Ofcom and broadcast complaints, part 3

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEobpsRRDak[/youtube]
September 17th 2007
By: Russ
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Ofcom: public regulator using private online forum…

OfcomWatch friend Roger Darlington today posts about a new Ofcom initiative: The regulator has apparently created an invite-only online discussion forum. We had wind of this earlier, and I basically maintained a wait-and-see attitude. Like the snooze button on an alarm clock, any change in Ofcom's procedures has its ...
September 14th 2007
By: Russ
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DCMS, James Purnell backs Ofcom on digital dividend review

Long -- sort of rambling -- speech by James Purnell yesterday. (Available here). I thought the most interesting nugget was this: 'The Government’s approach to spectrum is a case in point. A sure way to freeze innovation would be to reserve new spectrum for existing users and incumbents. That’s ...
September 13th 2007
By: scottlunt
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Is Apple the new Microsoft?

Recently, I came across this article in PC magazine by Mike Elgan. The author tries to argue that Apple has passed Microsoft in predatory practices. Hardly. My favorite line is this one: "ITunes is the slowest, clunkiest, most nonintuitive application on my system. But I need it because I love my iPods." By ...
September 12th 2007
By: Russ
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Ofcom initiate second review of Public Service Broadcasting

You know that anxious feeling you get when your favourite sports hero comes out of retirement for a comeback attempt? And everyone is excited to see them making a go of it again, but at the same time you have that sinking feeling that it will not live up ...
September 10th 2007
By: Russ
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Article review: Ofcom’s dual citizen / consumer remit…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLFctyvYECI[/youtube]
September 10th 2007
By: Russ
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Monday morning repeat…

The downstairs espresso machine is not working this morning, so I have no energy today to post anything I thought I would re-emphasise a few good ways to spend your time this autumn, with a new one thrown in: -- NEW  November 12/13 - Global Communications Consortium - 'Competition and Regulation ...
September 7th 2007
By: Scott
4 Comments

ICSTIS gets a new name …

I'm sure, like me, you have been waiting with baited breath for ICSTIS (Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of the Telephone Information Services) to announce their new name. Wait no more... Drum roll please .... ...say hellow to PayPhonePlus ... Er, what? Apparently, "PhonepayPlus will give consumers a much better understanding ...
September 5th 2007
By: Russ
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Ofcom and the FCC’s bad news about broadband

Following my recent observation that Ofcom seems overly eager to avoid any bad news about broadband, someone emailed me the recent testimony of FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein before the U.S. Senate. (Click here for a copy). It certainly makes for an interesting comparison to Ofcom's recent statements ...
September 4th 2007
By: Scott
3 Comments

Commission to cut ‘relevant markets’ from 18 to 8?

Mlex (subscription needed) are reporting that according to a draft document seen by them, the European Commission will propose slashing the number of telecoms markets subject to ex ante regulation in a new recommendation for relevant markets, from 18 to just 8. The new proposals, which will form part of the ...

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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 15th 2008
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Ofcom PSB review: Channel 4’s past ain’t prologue…

Remember the year 2000? Those were the days, huh? I guess 'recycling the profits' no longer works -- so now they want to recycle the BBC licence fee! 'Commercially financed without public funding' -- I guess that experiment is dead under current management. Channel 4 is no longer a benchmark for media ...
May 13th 2008
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Withering Sky response to Ofcom Pay TV market investigation…

From Sky's recent response to Ofcom's Pay TV market investigation: 'However, despite the evidence in its own Consultation Document, Ofcom has set out - and then expressly sought evidence to bolster - a series of hypothetical concerns. This approach is inconsistent with both Ofcom’s regulatory principles and its statement in ...
May 12th 2008
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OfcomWatch book corner: Charlie Beckett, SuperMedia

I just ordered my copy.  Get yours by clicking on the image below:
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 ...

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