Note of the 105th Meeting of the Ofcom Board, held on 5 June 2007

Introduction

Members were welcomed to the 105 th meeting of the Ofcom Board. Apologies for absence were noted from Stephanie Liston. Dominic Morris (Director of CEO’s Office), Graham Howell (Secretary to the Corporation), Polly Weitzman (General Counsel) and Jenny Leyland (Assistant Secretary to the Corporation) attended throughout. Peter Phillips (Partner, Strategy and Market Developments) and other Ofcom colleagues attended for parts of the meeting.

Minutes of the meeting held on 16 May 2007

1. The minutes of the meetings held on 16 May 2007 were approved as an accurate record. There were no matters arising which were not covered elsewhere on the agenda.

Chief Executive Officer’s Report

2. The Chief Executive Officer updated the Board on policy and operational developments since the last meeting.

Channel 4 Financial Review: Draft statement

3. Following discussion and subject to certain drafting changes the Board approved the final statement on phase 1 of the Channel 4 Financial Review for publication. The Board agreed the proposed approach to future work.

Administered Incentive Pricing ( AIP ) in Spectrum used for Terrestrial Broadcasting: Draft statement

4. Following discussion t he Board approved the terms of a Regulatory Statement on the proposed application of AIP to spectrum used for terrestrial broadcasting. The Board agreed to delegate authority to the Partner, Spectrum Policy to approve the final text for publication

Digital Dividend Review: Programme Making and Special Events (PMSE): Proposed consultation

5. Following discussion th e Board approvedthe terms of a consultation on future spectrum access for PMSE. The Board agreed to delegate authority to the Partner, Spectrum Policy to approve the final text for publication..

Governance Processes Review: Update

6. Consideration of this item was deferred to the next meeting by which time the proposed new Board paper template should be available for review.

Self Help Relays and Digital Switchover

7. The Board noted that the statement concluding the consultation on Self Help TV Relays and Digital Switchover would be published shortly, along with guidance for operators.

New News, Future News: Draft report

8. Subject to comments noted during discussion, the Board endorsed the draft report New News, Future News for publication.

Channel 36: Update

9. The Board noted an update on Channel 36 and approved a delegation to the Ofcom Executive Committee (ExCo).

Proposed Review of Additional Charges Levied by Communications Providers

10. The Board noted that a project had been established to undertake an industry wide review of additional charges made by communications providers to consumers.

Ofcom Annual Report 2006/7

11. Board Members were asked to provide any comments on the draft Annual Report 2006/7 to the Secretary to the Corporation. The final version of the Report will be presented to the Board on 19 June 2007 for approval ahead of publication.

Ofcom Consultation on World Radio Conference 2007 (WRC-07) Agenda Item 1.4 (Spectrum for “4G”)

12. The Board noted the statement to be published shortly following on from a consultation conducted earlier in the year. The statement responded to an agenda item at the WRC-07 which was seeking to identify, in International Radio Regulations, spectrum for future generations of public mobile radio.

Minutes/Reports of other Board/Panel/Committees

13. The Board noted the minutes of the following meetings:

Remuneration Committee held on 16 May 2007.
Consumer Panel meeting held on 24 April 2007.
National Advisory Committee for Northern Ireland held on 30 April 2007.

Any other business

14. The Board agreed to authorise Secretariat to amend the terms of reference of Ofcom’s boards/committees/sub-committees where appropriate in order:

to allow members’ attendance through telephone or videolink for the purposes of determining a quorum;
where the chairman or deputy chairman of the board/committee/sub-committee considers it appropriate, to permit decisions to be taken by email;
to update any references to the job titles of colleagues supporting boards/committees/sub-committees where these have changed in practice;
to amend the terms of reference of the Fairness Committee which are currently drafted on the basis that a deputy chairman is appointed, to make such an appointment permissive only.

Date of the next meeting

15. The next Board meeting will be held on 19 June 2007.