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Foreword

Background

1.1 Ofcom conducts ongoing research into the markets it regulates. In April 2006, Ofcom published a series of research reports on the Communications Market for the Nations and Regions of the UK (‘the Research Reports’).

1.2 The Research Reports examine availability, take-up and consumption of internet, telecommunications and broadcasting services. They compare findings across Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the nine English Regions among consumers and small and medium sized businesses (SMEs).

1.3 The research was undertaken to address feedback from stakeholders that Ofcom’s work should take into consideration the differences between the nations and regions of the UK. The project is consistent with Ofcom’s duties under the Communications Act 2003 to secure the availability of a wide range of electronic communications services throughout the UK, having regard to the different parts of the UK and in rural and urban areas.

1.4 Most data in the Research Report was collated from research undertaken in the second half of 2005, including Ofcom’s residential tracking study, the Media Literacy Audit and operator data for mobile phone, digital subscriber line (DSL) and cable coverage.

1.5 This statement sets out the policy issues raised by the research and should be read in conjunction with those findings as published in April. The Research Reports can be found on Ofcom’s website at: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/research/cm/nations/.

Purpose of this statement

1.6 This statement seeks to identify the policy issues raised by the research, where Ofcom has a role to play in addressing the policy issues raised and the implications for Ofcom’s current and planned work. We also identify the role and relevant initiatives of industry and other stakeholders and government in addressing the policy issues raised.

1.7 Ofcom held a series of seminars in the nations and regions with government, consumer organisations and stakeholders from industry as a forum to discuss the research findings. The research has also been discussed with the Ofcom Consumer Panel and Ofcom’s national advisory committees. This statement reports on those workshops and discussions and we assess the implications of the research on current and planned Ofcom work taking account of points raised. A summary of the feedback from stakeholder workshops is found at Annex 1.

How to use this statement

1.8 The findings of the research show that differences in availability, take-up and consumption of communications services cannot be explained by any one single variable, but are a result of a combination of several different factors, including: an individual’s socio-economic profile; whether they live in an urban or rural area; their age; their attitudes to communications technology and the part of the country in which they live.

1.9 Many of the key findings of the research reflect the importance of general geographic and socio-economic factors, particularly in relation to availability and take-up of services. While these have varying levels of impact by nation and region due to the different socio-economic and geographic features of the nations and regions, they apply on a UK-wide basis.

1.10 Reflecting these findings, Sections 3 and 4 of this statement set out the policy issues identified by the research that are UK-wide issues.

1.11 However, the research also uncovers a number of areas where differences in availability, take-up and consumption of communications services cannot be explained by general geographic and socio-economic factors alone, and where specific national and regional characteristics are important.

1.12 Sections 5 – 8 set out in more detail the policy issues as they apply to the nations and regions. These sections do not seek to repeat analysis of the policy issues that apply on a UK-wide basis but they identify the policy issues as they apply to a nation or region, stakeholder feedback on those policy issues and any issues that are specific to individual nations or regions which are not identified in UK-wide analysis.

Next steps

1.13 Ofcom believes the Research Reports provide a valuable resource for Ofcom, national, regional and local government and other stakeholders, to help tailor their approach to national and regional differences in availability, take-up and consumption of communications services.

1.14 Ofcom intends to repeat its research on the nations and regions in 2007 and on a regular basis thereafter. We will also continue to engage with national and regional government on issues raised that fall outside Ofcom’s remit but that may merit further consideration.

1.15 We will take forward many aspects of the policy issues raised in this statement in a new project on Digital Inclusion which will examine the importance of communications services to social and economic inclusion, the barriers to take-up that consumers are experiencing and how these might be addressed.

The full document is available below:

• Nations and Regions - Statement on the policy implications arising from the Communications Market: Nations and Regions research [pdf]
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