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30|11|06

International perspectives on communications: Ofcom hosts major conference and publishes book of essays by leading experts

Ofcom has today published a series of essays by academics, politicians and regulators that examine the effect of convergence on the global communications sector. The book will be launched at Ofcom’s 2006 international conference which will take place in London today and tomorrow.

Both book and conference examine the impact of changes in technology, media consumption and market behaviour and assess the implications for regulation in the future. The essays identify a number of trends which, it is argued, will render obsolete many established policy and regulatory frameworks and create new challenges for those responsible for protecting, and delivering benefits to, consumers.

Ofcom’s international conference will host more than 200 delegates from around the world. Keynote speakers and panellists include senior business leaders from broadcasting, internet and telecommunications as well as regulators, politicians and academics (a selection of speakers are listed below).

In his address to the conference, Ofcom CEO Ed Richards will examine a changing marketplace in which:

• established business models are under threat from disruptive technologies such as Voice over IP and internet advertising;
• businesses and regulators must reflect and anticipate consumer demand for greater control, mobility and participation in media and communications; and
• new public policy debates arise around the scope of public service broadcasting and universal service obligations.

“Convergence is an unstoppable force which in a few short years will transform the conventions of commercial and regulatory practice,” said Ed Richards, CEO of Ofcom.

“They will pose questions and demand answers for every company, every regulatory agency and every government over the next decade,” he continued.

‘Communications – the next decade’ can be bought at The Stationary Office for £25 and will be available for download on the Ofcom website - see Related Items.

Keynote speeches and panel debates from the conference will be available to view on Ofcom’s website - see Related Items.

Ends.

NOTES FOR EDITORS AND CSEs

1. Ofcom is the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications services.

2. Speakers at the conference include:

• The Rt. Hon. Margaret Hodge MBE MP
• Arun Sarin, Group CEO, Vodafone
• James Murdoch, CEO, BSkyB
• Ben Verwaayen, CEO, British Telecom
• Fabio Colasanti, DG for Information Society and Media, European Commission
• Nikesh Arora, Vice President Europe, Google
• Charles Dunstone, CEO, The Carphone Warehouse
• Andy Duncan, CEO Channel 4
• Rene Obermann, CEO, T-Mobile

For more information on the 2006 International Conference and regularly updated presentation vidoes visit http://www.ofcom.org.uk/event/. The full programme of speakers is available at http://www.ofcom.org.uk/event/programme/

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