Ofcom publishes draft annual plan for the coming financial year
Ofcom has published its draft annual plan for the 2013-14 financial year, asking those interested in the work of Ofcom to respond to the document in order to help shape its final draft.
In the draft plan Ofcom states there are a number of items that have made significant progress in 2012-13 but which will be carried over into the forthcoming financial year. These include:
• timely spectrum clearance in 800 MHz and 2.6 GHz to enable new awards while mitigating co-existence issues
• promote effective choice for consumers by ensuring that clear information on service price and quality is available.
• develop and implement policies that will improve the ease of switching between communications providers.
• secure the provision of the universal postal service.
• implement of Digital Economy Act 2010 provisions on online copyright infringement.
Ofcom has stated its priority for 2013-14 is to reflect and respond to changes in consumer behaviour and the new technologies that are driving change in the market. Its priotity is to respond to:
• The continued growth in superfast broadband availability and adoption - building on BT and Virgin Media’s superfast broadband services 1.4 million UK connections.
• The increase in take-up of connected devices – smartphone ownership rose to 39 per cent of UK adults in Q1 2012, up 12 percentage points on 2011. Tablet ownership rose to 11 per cent of UK households, up 9pp year on year, and already now stands at 19 per cent whereas connected TV ownership stands at 5 per cent of TV homes.
• The increasing demand for mobile data – as a result of the proliferation of connected devices and changing consumer behaviour, the average time spent using mobile data services was 2.1 hours a month in 2011, 25 minutes per month more than in 2010, while the volume of data consumed more than doubled in the 18 months to January 2012.
Ofcom has encouraged people to respond to the consultation by the closing date of 22 February 2013, or to attend one of the meetings.
The meetings provide an opportunity to discuss Ofcom's approach to television, radio, telecoms, postal and wireless communications services. Each meeting will begin with a brief presentation, after which there will be an opportunity to comment and ask questions. All meetings are open and free of charge.
The full report can be read here.