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Annual Report 2005/06

Introduction

This is the second annual report from Ofcom’s Advisory Committee on Older and Disabled People (ACOD), constituted under section 21(1) of the Communications Act 2003.

The Committee is Chaired by Mike Whitlam CBE, and has twelve other members who reflect the diversity of older and disabled people and who have a wide range of expertise and interests across all the areas that Ofcom regulates. We recruited two new members to the committee and the current full membership is listed on the Ofcom website www.ofcom.org.uk

Priorities and Projects

As Ofcom moved into its second year and began to consolidate on the strategic reviews on public service broadcasting, telecoms and spectrum undertaken in its first year, ACOD has also begun to focus its work on those projects that have the most significance for older and disabled people. The Committee has additionally initiated a dialogue with Ofcom’s research function to ensure that a comprehensive body of evidence is developed on the communications interests of older and disabled people. This will happen as a result of the committee influencing research currently undertaken by Ofcom, such as the annual tracker survey, or by suggesting new research.

The main priorities for ACOD have been issues around access to communications for older and disabled people, particularly with regard to the universal service review in telecoms (USO) and access to television, especially the preparations for digital switchover (DSO).

ACOD has continued to work through specialist subgroups, set up to provide in depth advice on key projects. During the last year ACOD subgroups met to discuss USO, DSO, Ofcom’s Research programme and Ofcom’s Annual Plan for 2006/7. This way of working seems to make maximum use of the skills and the time available from committee members.

Accessible Television and Digital Switchover

2005 saw for the first time subtitling, signing and audio description targets for around 50 eligible cable and satellite channels, bringing the total number of channels providing such access services to over 70 channels. Throughout the year ACOD has monitored broadcasters’ performance against these targets and were pleased that after an uncertain start, the vast majority of broadcasters fully met their obligations. ACOD also worked with RNIB, the BCIDN and Ofcom to encourage the availability of more accessible and reliable information about which programmes offered access services. Much progress has been made on this issue in recent months to find a ‘one stop shop’ solution for older and disabled people.

ACOD welcomed Ofcom’s work in establishing standard abbreviations for access services and for encouraging their use by broadcasters and in television listings in magazines and newspapers.

In the run up to digital switchover, the delivery of access services over digital platforms remains a concern. ACOD has joined the Government and Digital UK’s Consumer Expert Group, which will advise on accessible digital equipment and how to ensure older and disabled people receive appropriate and timely advice and support during the switchover process.

Review of the Universal Service Obligation

Ofcom has recently completed its first full review of the Universal Service Obligation (USO) in telecommunications. ACOD continued to provide advice during the closing stages of the review and on the tender for the feasibility study into additional relay services. There remain concerns within ACOD as to the scope and scale of the USO given the changing telecoms scene and new technological developments such as Voice over IP. It is for these and other reasons that ACOD will continue to monitor developments as the European Commission undertakes its own review of Universal Service. The Committee is also interested in the outcome of the feasibility study and what that might mean for future universal telecoms services for disabled people.

New Voice Services (Voice over IP)

ACOD contributed to the development of appropriate regulations for new telecoms voice services, also known as Voice over IP (VoIP). Ofcom was keen to ensure that the regulatory requirements for this emerging technology are continually adapted to meet the needs of both customers and providers.

The VoIP industry was proactive and constructive in seeing the views of consumer bodies and representatives of older and disabled people. The Committee welcomes this constructive approach and the fact that the needs of older and disabled people were considered at the earliest opportunity as the technology and services developed.

Ofcom Research Programme

Ofcom undertakes a significant amount of consumer research to ensure its decisions are evidence based and appropriate. ACOD is committed to ensuring that this evidence base includes robust data on the interests and concerns of older and disabled people.

Over the last year, the Committee has advised Ofcom on appropriate methodologies and priorities for research and a Research Subgroup has been working with Ofcom to identify any particular research needs to support ACOD’s work. Further development of this work is expected in the next year.

Annual Plan

Once again ACOD was pleased to have an early opportunity to feed in to Ofcom’s Annual Plan for the coming year, at the Strategy Day organised by the Ofcom Board. The Committee submitted its key priorities to the Board during the consultation on the Annual Plan for 2006/7 in January.

To ensure ACOD remains informed and in touch with the interests of older and disabled people, over the last year the Committee has continued to build relationships with stakeholders. ACOD held a reception in the summer for colleagues working for older and disabled people and plans to extend this event next year to include industry stakeholders and other interest groups. ACOD has also instigated a stakeholder session in its quarterly meetings to allow for more detailed discussions on key issues.

Like other parts of Ofcom the work of ACOD continues to be busy and I wish to pay tribute to the commitment of the committee members who give a great deal of extra time and thought to ensure that the needs of older and disabled people are not forgotten in this ever changing environment.

Mike Whitlam CBE

Chair, Advisory Committee for Older and Disabled People

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