Note of the Second Meeting of the Ofcom Advisory Committee for Northern Ireland

Introduction

1. The Chairman welcomed all present to the second meeting of the Advisory Committee for Northern Ireland . An apology had been received from Graham Howell (Ofcom) and Dougal Scott (Ofcom). Jim Egan (Ofcom), Rosemary Kelly (Consumer Panel Member for Northern Ireland), Kevin McLaughlin (Consumer Panel Member for Northern Ireland), Joanne McMullan (Ofcom), Ronnie Neill (Ofcom), Helen Normoyle (Ofcom), Alison Preston (Ofcom), Paul Rogers (Ofcom), Tony Stoller (Ofcom) were also present.

Minutes of the last meeting, approval and absence

2. Amember expressed his concern that the structure of Ofcom's minutes might lead to important points being missed by the Ofcom Board ; It was explained that a protocol was being prepared with the five Advisory Committee Chairman on how points of concern could be raised by the Advisory Committees with the Ofcom Board. The minutes were otherwise agreed.

Ofcom

Upate

3. The members were briefed on the major initiatives currently under way within Ofcom . There were eight major project streams - covering subjects such as PSB , Telecoms Review, Digital Switchover, Broadband, Spectrum Trading, Content Regulation and the handling of Section 351 referrals. Ofcom Northern Ireland had initiated a working arrangement with ComReg on the issue of roaming and had issued a statement on matters of joint concern.

Telecoms Review Phase 1

4. A presentation took place on Phase 1 of the Telecoms Review. The members raised a number of issues: the problems encountered in provision of life line services for Northern Ireland - in particular whether the focus of the Review would be as a vehicle for promoting profit or for raising the standard of service for consumers. The members were also interested in learning whether Ofcom would be pressing the case for integrated billing. The members emphasised that there was very little competition in fixed line telephony and hoped that Ofcom would adapt the regulatory approach according to the particular circumstances of the Nation. The members also requested that Ofcom provide them with information on Broadband and Internet provision so that they would have an accurate picture of the position for Northern Ireland.

Consumer Panel/Content Board Update

5. A presentation on the work of the Content Board and the Consumer Panel took place. Kevin McLaughlin spoke about the role he played as a member of the Consumer Panel. The Committee was particularly interested in the rollout of Broadband for Northern Ireland . Whilst the target of 100% availability from 2005 was thought to be achievable the members noted that currently (with 80% availability) take-up was only at 10% - suggesting that demand had still to be stimulated. The members were informed that Ofcom expected Broadband to be delivered by the market and would only intervene if evidence emerged that the market was not operating effectively. The members pointed out that there was a range of public bodies - such as that of Invest Northern Ireland - which could take the lead in an education campaign.

PSB Review

6. A presentation took place on the PSB Review. The Committee thought that the standard of the consultation document was very high and a detailed discussion took place. Amongst the views expressed by the members was whether the Review presented an opportunity to take into account the economic and educational needs of consumers at the national and regional levels. It was also important that a range of focus groups be consulted (eg 11-14 year olds) to ensure that different views were captured and that the high level of adult illiteracy in Northern Ireland was taken into account.

7. It was pointed out that the Review did not cover cable and satellite television (which were gaining an increasing market share) and Ofcom was asked to consider extending the remit of the Review. It was thought that Ofcom should include the Internet within its remit as the regulator was under an obligation to protect public decency. The members questioned whether the Northern Ireland market left to itself would produce significant numbers of programmes to meet the PSB requirement and it was also suggested that PSB be extended to all channels. It was also doubted that it would be possible for the BBC to be self-financing. One way forward was for the funding for PSB to be reviewed and made accessible (on a ring-fenced basis) to all broadcasters with a proportion of funds devoted to regional programming. The net result would be a rise in the quality of broadcast programmes.

8. The discussion then moved on to how broadcasters will use new technology. It was possible that television broadcasting and the Internet would become totally integrated with the danger of complete loss of quality control.

Digital Switchover

9. A presentation took place on Digital Switchover. The members welcomed the opportunity to put their views forward. The major consideration for Northern Ireland viewers was that it would still be possible to receive analogue transmissions from the Republic following switchover by turning off the digital receiver as the Republic was not working to the same timetable on analogue switch-off.. The members thought it important that Ofcom should be in contact with ComReg because viewers in the Republic would no longer be able to receive Northern Ireland transmissions after switchover and criticism could be levelled at the regulator.

Issues raised by members

10. The members were interested in learning how Ofcom 's links were developing with ComReg. Ofcom had set up a joint working party with ComReg. The issue of roaming would feature prominently on the working party's agenda. Other issues that would feature on the agenda would be leased lines and interference caused by pirate radio.

Summary of complaints received for Q2 04

11. A report had been previously circulated to the members. The members were interested to note a significant decrease in the number of complaints about slamming. The members asked whether it would be possible for Ofcom to record details on how complainants had found out about the regulator and whether information on the outcome of complaints would be made available. In answer to this question, Rosemary Kelly outlined the Content Board's procedures for handling complaints and the sanctions that could be imposed.

Any Other Business

12. There was none.