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27|09|05

Note of the Sixth meeting of the Ofcom Advisory Committee for Northern Ireland, 23 May 2005

Members Present:

Denis Wolinski (Chairman)
Sinead Boyle
Carol Burrows
Brian Collins
Mags Connolly
David Elliott
Wallace Ewart
Michael McKernan
Jane Morrice
Una Murphy
Leslie Orr
Gerard Parr

Apology – Glyn Roberts

In attendance:

Richard Hooper, Deputy Chairman, Ofcom
Graham Howell, Corporation Secretary Ofcom
Tony Stoller, External Relations Director, Ofcom
Dougal Scott, Strategy Development, Ofcom
Peter Davies, Head of Market Intelligence, Ofcom
Joanne McMullan, Head of Broadcasting and Telecoms Ofcom (NI)
Lila Truesdale, Customer Support Officer, Ofcom (NI)
Philip Morgan, Spectrum Co-ordinator, Ofcom (NI)

1. Welcome and Apologies

1.1 Denis Wolinski welcomed all present to the sixth meeting of the Advisory Committee for Northern Ireland. Apologies were registered for the following:

Rosemary Kelly, Content Board Member for Northern Ireland
Kevin McLaughlin, Consumer Panel Member for Northern Ireland

2. Minutes of the last meeting

2.1 Minutes of the last meeting were agreed.

3. Matters Arising

3.1 A request was made that future Committee papers be presented as a spiral bound set.

Action: LT to investigate

3.2 The Committee asked if a technical expert on Digital Switchover could be invited to address a future ACNI meeting. DW said that Ofcom Northern Ireland would be holding a Digital Switchover seminar on Friday 3 June, at which technical issues would be discussed. All Committee members were welcome to attend.

Action: Ensure ACNI members are invited to Digital Switchover event

4. Director’s Report

4.1 DW presented his Director’s Report.

4.2 Jane Morrice reported that she and Carol Burrows had attended Ofcom’s Rural and Remote conference in Glasgow. They had found it interesting and informative, especially the session on the digital pilot in Ferryside in Wales. Tony Stoller said that Ofcom intended to repeat the conference next year – probably in South West England.

4.3 The potential for all-island licensing in the 1785 – 1800 Mhz band was welcomed by Members. It was agreed that it was important to investigate ways of both incentivising new entrants to the market and encouraging citizens to use new technology through providing innovative applications, possibly on a cross-border basis – ie. health/e-government.

Action: Ensure ACNI members are given opportunity to respond to consultation document on the all-island licence award

4.4 The Committee agreed that inadvertent mobile roaming continued to be a key problem. It was suggested that, having raised the issue with the MNOs, Ofcom needed to deliver a solution. DW explained that Ofcom had a limited regulatory remit as there was a competitive market in the mobile sector in the UK.

4.5 TS was asked what provision existed for ‘curriculum in the community’ style school radio. He said that apart from RSLs and Community Radio Licences, there was no specific mechanism for delivering school radio.

5. Remit of Advisory Committees

5.1 TS tabled a Terms of Reference document and invited comments.

6. Expenses Policy

6.1 Graham Howell tabled an Expenses Policy document and answered questions.

Action: LT to send out electronic copies of the expenses form to all ACNI Members.

7. Public Service Broadcasting Review

7.1 Joanne McMullan gave a presentation on PSB 3(a)

7.2 Issues around the provision of Irish Language broadcasting were discussed. The Committee felt it should push for 100% availability of TG4 in Northern Ireland. TS pointed out that TG4 remained an analogue solution, and a post- Digital Switchover solution was needed.

7.3 The Committee asked for further details on ITV’s proposed Regional Production Partnership Fund.

Action: JMcM to provide

7.4 The Committee asked why Ofcom was not proposing production quotas for the BBC, in the same way as existed for ITV. Richard Hooper explained that Ofcom’s powers with regard to BBC quotas were limited.

7.5 The Committee asked if Media Literacy was a priority in the PSB Review. TS explained that it was outside the remit of the Review.

8. Media Literacy

8.1 JMcM gave an update on Ofcom’s Media Literacy activities in NI, including an awareness-raising campaign in conjunction with EGSA; funding for a University of Ulster research project into new media teaching taking place at a Co Fermanagh Primary School; and a recent Media Literacy seminar in conjunction with Help the Aged and BBC NI. Members were asked to let LT know if they wanted to receive Ofcom’s Media Literacy Bulletin.

9. Telecoms Issues

9.1 Dougal Scott gave a presentation on the Telecoms Strategic Review.

9.2 It was felt that consumers were not provided with enough information in order to make informed choices about services – thus losing out on the possible benefits of increased competition in the market. It was also felt there was a role for government in promoting uptake of broadband services.

9.3 Concern was expressed about the Universal Service Obligation, and the Committee wondered if, in an increasingly competitive market, USO obligations could be extended to other operators? It was pointed out that an uneven rollout of new technology could have adverse economic effects in certain parts of the UK.

9.4 The Committee said it was important to look at how to encourage new infrastructure providers to come into Northern Ireland and un-bundle BT lines. Government funding of 100% broadband rollout, although very positive, might ultimately act as a disincentive for other providers to enter the market. It was suggested that the ACNI might think about inviting the Telecoms Adjudicator, Peter Black, to visit NI.

Action: Explore this with Peter Black

10. Radio Review

10.1 Peter Davies gave an overview of the Radio Review.

10.2 The Committee asked what about arrangements for emergency broadcasts. TS confirmed that a structure was in place to deal with this.

11. Any Other Business

11.1 Members asked about Ofcom’s Production Sector Review. TS confirmed that the Review was underway and was being led by Tim Suter and Kate Stross.

11.2 TS was also asked what Ofcom could do to address the need for more training in content production. He said that training would continue to be done on a co- operative basis between the Broadcasters and that Ofcom’s role would be an advisory one.

11.3 The point was made that Northern Ireland was currently very poorly served as far as broadcast training was concerned.

11.4 Enquiries were also made about the Freedom of Information Act to which . GH responded.

The next meeting will be held on 8/9 September at the Manor House Hotel, Enniskillen.