Ofcom: a short guide to what we do

We are an independent organisation which regulates the UKs broadcasting, telecommunications and wireless communications sectors. We also set and enforce rules on fair competition between companies in these industries.

Ofcom: a short guide to what we do

About Us

Our legal duties Our main legal duties, as set out in the UK Communications Act 2003, are to ensure: the UK has a wide range of electronic communications services, including high-speed information services (for example, broadband); a wide range of high-quality television and radio programmes are provided, appealing to a range of tastes and interests; television and radio services are provided by a range of different organisations; people who watch television and listen to the radio are protected from harmful or offensive material; people are protected from being treated unfairly in television and radio programmes, and from having their privacy invaded; and the radio spectrum (the airwaves used by everyone from taxi firms and boat owners, to mobile-phone companies and broadcasters) is used in the most effective way.

We are funded by: fees from industry for regulating broadcasting and communications networks; and grant-in-aid from the Government. We answer to the UK Parliament but we are independent of the UK Government. The Government Departments that sponsor us are the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Ofcom: a short guide to what we do

Broadcasting

We are responsible for licensing all UK commercial television and radio services. These include: the existing TV channels and radio stations; digital TV services such as Freeview, Sky and Virgin Media and all digital radio stations; internet TV services such as Home Choice; Public Teletext and Restricted Service Licences for both TV and radio; and Community radio. Our Broadcasting Code sets out rules which television and radio broadcasters must follow. The code aims to set standards to protect people under the age of 18 from material that is not suitable for them, while allowing broadcasters an appropriate amount of creative freedom. We aim to maintain and strengthen the UKs high-quality public service broadcasting. We make sure a broad range of television programmes are made and by independent producers as well as by broadcasters, including those in countries and regions in the UK.

Telecommunications

Charges for land line, mobile-phone services and broadband are becoming more and more competitive, with new products and lower prices for businesses and customers. We aim to make sure that companies are able to compete fairly and that businesses and customers benefit from the choice of a broad range of services. Having a more competitive and open market can, in certain cases, lead to unfair selling practices. We investigate unfair practices and take action to protect customers, in some cases taking enforcement action against companies involved in mis-selling. We also make sure that everyone in the UK has access to a basic phone service, including people on low incomes and people who live in rural parts of the country.

Ofcom: a short guide to what we do

Radio spectrum

You cant see it, hear it or touch it, but radio spectrum is central to our everyday lives; it is the essential raw material for all mobile services, radio and television broadcasting as well as wireless communications used for defence, the emergency services and transport. We are responsible for managing civilian use of the radio spectrum. Our work involves releasing spectrum for new uses, allowing organisations to develop new wireless services for the benefit of citizens and consumers. Because spectrum is a finite natural resource, it is very valuable and demand for it is increasing all the time. Our work also involves developing policies to ensure that the spectrum is used efficiently. We also monitor the airways 24-hours a day to identify cases of interference. Our Technical Investigations Team takes action to protect safety-of-life services, such as the fire brigade and air traffic control from illegal activity such as pirate radio or the use of unauthorised wireless devices.

Competition and investigations

We investigate complaints about behaviour that goes against the rules of competition and make decisions on disputes between companies. For example, this could involve: enforcing rules on telecoms providers that have a large share of the market; and setting general rules that all telecoms providers must keep to. We can also work with the Office of Fair Trading to enforce competition law.

Our structure

Our Board Our main Board provides guidance on the way forward for our organisation. It has a Non-Executive Chairman, Executive Directors (including the Chief Executive), and Non-Executive Directors. Content Board The Content Board is a committee of the main Board and it sets and enforces quality and standards for television and radio. The Content Board has members representing each of the countries in the UK.

Ofcom: a short guide to what we do

Advisory committees

A number of committees and advice organisations support us and offer advice. The advisory committees for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales provide advice on matters their country is particularly interested in or concerned about. The Ofcom Consumer Panel is independent of us and provides advice on matters affecting customers in the markets we regulate. We also have an Advisory Committee for Older and Disabled People to make sure we take their particular interests into account, and a Spectrum Advisory Board made up of people with particular technical knowledge and skills.

What we do not do

We are not responsible for regulating: disputes between you and your telecoms provider; e-mails and internet content (including internet content available on mobile phones); premium-rate services, including mobile-phone text services and ringtones; the content of television and radio adverts; complaints about accuracy in BBC programmes; the BBC TV licence fee; or newspapers and magazines. Please see below for details of who you should contact instead. Disputes between you and your telecoms provider. If you are not satisfied with how your telecoms provider has handled your complaint, you are entitled to a free service to solve the dispute. This is normally through the Telecommunications Ombudsman Otelo, or through CISAS the Communications & Internet Services Adjudication Scheme. Otelos website is at www.otelo.org.uk and their phone number is 01925 430049. CISASs website is at is at www.cisas.org.uk and their phone number is 020 7520 3827.

Ofcom: a short guide to what we do

Internet content and e-mails. Please contact your internet service provider. Mobile-phone multimedia content. Please contact your mobile phone company. Premium-rate services, including mobilephone text-message services and ringtones. Please contact Phonepay Plus. Their website is www.phonepayplus.org.uk and their phone number is 0800 500 212 Television and radio adverts. Please contact the Advertising Standards Authority. Their website is at www.asa.org.uk and their phone number is 020 7492 2222. Complaints about accuracy in BBC television or radio programmes or about the BBC TV licence fee. Visit the BBC website at www.bbc.co.uk/info/contactus. Complaints about articles in newspapers or magazines. Please contact the Press Complaints Commission. Their website is www.pcc.org.uk and their phone number is 020 7831 0022.

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More information

Please visit our website

www.ofcom.org.uk
Ofcom Riverside House 2a Southwark Bridge Road London SE1 9HA Telephone: 020 7981 3000 or 0300 123 3000 Fax: 020 7981 3333 or 0300 123 0811 To speak to a member of the Ofcom Advisory Team Telephone: 020 7981 3040 or 0300 123 3040 Textphone: 020 7981 3043 or 0300 123 2024 Welsh line: 020 7981 3042 or 0300 123 2023 Email: contact@ofcom.org.uk Please note that we may monitor and record calls to the Ofcom Advisory Team