
Ofcom sets out work programme for 2019/20 Add to Your Pages
03 December 2018
Ofcom has today set out its planned programme of work for the next financial year.
Ofcom's aim is to make communications markets work for everyone. We do this by promoting competition, securing standards and improving quality, and protecting consumers from harm.
Our proposed plan of work for 2019/20 , which is now open for consultation, has identified the following areas as particularly important for people and businesses for the next financial year.
Our priorities will be:
protecting consumers from harmful pricing practices;
moving towards universal availability of high-quality and secure communications networks;
maintaining high-quality broadcast content for UK audiences; and
developing our approach to regulation.
The proposed plan highlights all our major work areas in the financial year 2019/20, including:
Protecting consumers from harmful pricing practicesWe will continue to progress our significant programme of work to ensure consumers get more transparent prices and access to better deals.
This will include prices for mobile customers who take out bundled airtime and handset contracts. We are consulting on whether there should be greater transparency, which would require mobile firms to break down the cost of different parts of a customer's mobile package, and on the information which should be provided when the initial period expires. We are also considering how else we could make sure consumers get better tariffs at the end of their minimum contract periods.
We will also consider pricing practices in the fixed broadband market, which can result in some people paying higher prices for example, when they pass their initial contract period.
Universal, high-quality, secure networksWe will work with governments and industry to make progress towards our ambition of achieving universal coverage of mobile and broadband services.
We will implement the UK Government's legislation to ensure that everyone, wherever they live in the UK, can access decent broadband. This will involve designating one or more broadband universal service providers' and setting rules for how they must deliver the service.
We will continue to promote investment in the full-fibre broadband networks. This includes plans to introduce unrestricted access to Openreach's ducts and poles, which can make it easier and cheaper for other companies to lay their own competing fibre networks to serve consumers and businesses.
We will explore a range of technology and policy options to improve mobile coverage, particularly in rural areas and indoors. As we prepare to auction new airwaves for mobile services (the 700 MHz and 3.6 - 3.8 GHz spectrum bands), we will develop proposals for new coverage rules. These would require some winning bidders in the auction to improve mobile coverage in rural areas. New 5G mobile services are also expected to launch during the next financial year; so we will support testing and early rollout of 5G by industry, to help maximise its benefit to consumers.
To ensure that communications networks are sufficiently resilient and secure, we will implement requirements set out under the Networks and Information Systems (NIS) regulations. These impose legal obligations on providers of critical national infrastructure including digital networks to protect UK-critical services.
The Government is conducting pilot tests of how well the systems of communications providers stand up to simulated, intelligence-led cyber-attacks. Once these are completed, we intend to launch our own testing scheme in early 2019.
Overseeing TV and radio for UK audiencesWe will continue our work to maintain and strengthen public service broadcasting. That includes recommending how to make these programmes easy to find especially in the face of challenges posed by global competitors, and the changing expectations and behaviour of audiences.
We will publish our second annual report as the BBC's regulator on its performance. We will also review how the corporation is adapting to the changing news and current affairs environment to ensure it remains a trusted destination for audiences.
In particular, we will look at how the BBC provides a range of content and depth of analysis across TV, radio and online news, and assess the tools and techniques it uses to deliver impartiality.
More widely, we will continue to protect audiences by enforcing the strict standards set out in the Broadcasting Code, taking action against TV and radio broadcasters who break these rules.
Developing our approach to regulationOfcom will continue to adapt its regulatory approach in the coming months, recognising the continued growth of communications services online.
We will publish our first annual report outlining trends in the online sector, assessing how well people are served by online content and applications.
We will continue to participate in the debate around potential regulation of harmful online content, providing expert research and advising Government, as required, as it considers policy options in this area.
And we will seek to innovate and improve our own work to keep pace with new technologies. We will make increasing use of data analytics to support policy development, and seek new ways of making Ofcom's data easier to use and accessible to everyone.
Political and legislative changeWe will continue to provide advice to the UK Government to support its discussions on the detail of the UK's future relationship with the EU, including any legislative changes needed.
As the UK leaves the EU, we will keep engaging with industry to understand its priorities, and work to ensure that consumers' interests are protected.
Ensuring value for moneyWe remain committed to achieving value for money. In 2019
Most recent headlines
06/10/2025
France T l visions, France's leading broadcaster, has received the 2025 EBU ...
04/09/2025
Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE), in collaboration with Dalet, has been a...
03/07/2025
For our Vario-Jib, as well as for a repertoire of weights, we now have carts that make transport easier...
03/07/2025
One of our latest innovations: Slider Drive Unit!
Our Vario Slider not only comes with improvements and new features, but also with its own drive unit!
Our i...
03/07/2025
The 360 EVO lives up to its name: 360-degree rotation not only on the pan axis, but also on the roll axis, enables filmmakers to take their creative visions eve...
03/07/2025
What a buzzing few days at BSCExpo in London!
We were thrilled to connect with so many talented professionals from the world of cinematography.
A huge thank ...
03/07/2025
ADOLESCENCE - Shot with Panther Tower"The whole rig had to be detachable mid-episode
Netflix limited drama series Adolescence has been gaining attentio...
03/07/2025
To achieve a true level of decisive overmatch, communication systems must be as ...
03/07/2025
The Broadcasters Foundation of America has named Ray Hopkins, president of U.S. distribution at Paramount Global, to its board of directors....
03/07/2025
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. In his first major policy speech, Federal Communications Commissions Chair Brendan Carr outlined his Build America Agenda for the agency'...
03/07/2025
As the industry is making a major push to transition to NextGen TV broadcasting and develop new businesses that will fund the next generation of broadcasting, T...
03/07/2025
Despite enabling its subscribers to watch films and TV shows in the highest possible resolution, Netflix has revealed it is taking things old school with the in...
03/07/2025
WASHINGTON In response to news that Paramount Global has agreed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit by President Donald Trump, Democrats and other administra...
03/07/2025
WUPPERTAL, Germany Riedel Communications today launched RefSuite for professional sports workflows....
03/07/2025
WEITERSTADT, Germany LYNX Technik, a provider of modular signal processing solutions, has announced that founder and longtime CEO Winfried Deckelmann is steppin...
03/07/2025
WASHINGTON Representatives from six trade groups representing tech, pay TV, broadband, LPTV and other sectors recently met with Federal Communications Commissio...
03/07/2025
PLYMOUTH, Wis. Dan Whealy has acquired Heartland Video Systems and will be its new owner and president, the systems integrator said....
03/07/2025
Acclaimed filmmaker, educator, and industry veteran Jay Holben has released his most ambitious work to date: The Director's Guide to Everything a sweeping...
03/07/2025
For Los Angeles-based photographer Scout Pruski, documenting the annual Dyke Day LA is a way to honor and give back to the city's legacy queer community and...
03/07/2025
Modular, Travel-Ready Solution Matthews Studio Equipment launches the new Chimera V-Flat Panel Frame Kit, the lightweight and modular, ultra-durable alternativ...
03/07/2025
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the release of Dalet Flex 2025.6 LTS (long-term support), introdu...
03/07/2025
Lightware's LARA Wizard makes it quicker and easier than ever to set up audio-visual (AV) room automation and control configurations, ensuring anyone, from ...
03/07/2025
Alfalite, the only European manufacturer of LED screens, has obtained both the NCAGE Code (NATO Commercial and Government Entity) and TAA (Trade Agreements Act)...
03/07/2025
nxtedition is implementing a new solution for WIN Network, based in its headquarters in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. The nxtedition integrated platfo...
03/07/2025
ORS Group and Insys Video Technologies today announce the launch of a new joint brand identity: Big Blue Marble. The move reflects the evolution of a long-stand...
03/07/2025
Evergent, a global leader in customer lifecycle management and monetization solutions for subscription-based businesses, today announced the successful results ...
03/07/2025
LYNX Technik, provider of modular signal processing solutions today announces an executive leadership transition, effective July 1, 2025. Markus Motzko has been...
03/07/2025
Chaos Releases V-Ray for Blender
Brie Clayton July 2, 2025
0 Comments
Production-Proven Renderer V-Ray Arrives Natively in Blender for the First Time;...
03/07/2025
Calvin University Adds Blackmagic Replay to Broadcasts and Streams
Brie Clayton July 2, 2025
0 Comments
Replay workflow joins 14 Blackmagic Design cam...
03/07/2025
Berklee's Gospel Performance Program Welcomes Jonathan Nelson as the Herb Al...
03/07/2025
In today's fragmented media landscape, advertisers expect more than just reach - they want seamless cross-platform campaigns that deliver measurable results...
03/07/2025
** MEDIA ALERT ** Shonen Jump Store Hosting Los Angeles Pop-up During Anime Exp...
03/07/2025
Thursday 3 July 2025
David Harewood and Matthew Broome in Mozart: Genius for Hi...
03/07/2025
The Sky WNT Fund supports Womens National Team players with a 30,000 bursaryThursday 3 July 2025
Sky Ireland has announced the four recipients of the 2025 Sky...
03/07/2025
The forecast this month is showing a 100% chance of epic gaming. Catch the scorching lineup of 20 titles coming to the cloud, which gamers can play whether indo...
02/07/2025
Hege Wik and Odin appear in FOLKTALES by Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady, an official selection of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institut...
02/07/2025
(Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock for Sundance Film Festival)
By Patty Consolazio
This one's for any person who's ever felt put down, left out, marginaliz...
02/07/2025
Calrec expands ecosystem at NAB 2025 giving broadcasters access to dynamic workflows and ultimate flexibility Helping broadcasters meet the shifting needs of me...
02/07/2025
NEW YORK Paramount Global has agreed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit by President Donald Trump, ending a long-running legal saga that could clear the way...
02/07/2025
WASHINGTON The Federal Communications Commission has approved the transfer of licenses for five TV stations from Sinclair to Rincon Broadcasting, which announce...
02/07/2025
As the media industry faces an uncertain business climate and rapidly changing consumer habits, TV Tech's most popular stories from the first six months of ...
02/07/2025
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. New data shows that U.S. homes now own an average of two smart TVs, with Samsung and LG dominating the market but Roku and FireTV continue to g...
02/07/2025
LOS ANGELES Funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management have acquired FilmRise, an independent digital streaming content distributor, and merged it with Shout! ...
02/07/2025
WASHINGTON The Advanced Television Systems Committee named Luiz Fausto vice president of standards development, succeeding ATSC vice president Jerry Whitaker, w...
02/07/2025
Boston Conservatory and the Sphinx Organization Join Forces to Make Classical Ed...
02/07/2025
NEW AMSTERDAM CREATOR DAVID SCHULNER JOINS CREATIVE TEAM OF NEW FOX DRAMA SERIE...
02/07/2025
02 Jul 2025
VEON Raises USD 200 Million in Private Bond Placement Dubai, July 1, 2025: VEON Ltd. (Nasdaq: VEON), a global digital operator ( VEON ), announces ...
02/07/2025
Brand new factual series follows mechanic and self-taught engineer Dom Chinea as he makes the move of his life to the far west of Cornwall
UKTV today announces...
02/07/2025
Progressive realism: Aurora on taking up the broadcast reins for World RX alongs...
02/07/2025
Great speed: New host broadcaster Aurora on getting the World RX 2025 season pro...