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Background

1. Ofcom has a number of duties under the Communications Act 2003 relating to securing the interests of citizens and consumers across the UK. These include:

• to secure the availability of a wide range of electronic communications services, as well as a wide range of TV and radio services of high quality and wide appeal throughout the UK;
• to have regard to the desirability of encouraging the availability and use of high speed internet throughout the UK and the different interests of persons living in different parts of the UK and in rural and urban areas.

2. Ofcom included in the Annual Plan 05/06 the commitment to undertake an audit of the nations and regions. In addition to the duties outlined above, this reflects a recurring theme in responses to several of our consultations that Ofcom’s work reflect the differences between the nations – Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – and the English regions.

3. This statement outlines how Ofcom will undertake the audit.

Our approach

4. There is considerable debate about geographic variations in availability and take up of communications services and the reasons behind these differences. However, the patterns of variance have never been assessed systematically using market research and other secondary information.

5. The audit of nations and regions aims to establish a solid evidence base by consolidating existing information on availability, take up, attitudes, intentions and usage of a range of communications platforms and services among consumers by geographic location.

6. More specifically, it will gather available data relating to fixed and mobile voice, internet (narrow- and broadband), wireless and mobile services, digital TV and digital radio and analyse patterns of variance by nation and region.

7. An interim report will be published in early-06. This will set out findings of the data analysis.

8. A final report will be published by mid-06. This will assess the implications of the research findings on current and planned Ofcom work and, where appropriate, make recommendations.

9. Ofcom understands that there is widespread interest in the research findings and is therefore actively encouraging a range of stakeholders to contribute to the evidence base. Workshops and seminars in the nations and regions will provide further opportunity for discussion of the research findings.

10. Ofcom colleagues based in Belfast, Cardiff, Glasgow and the English regions and the respective National Advisory Committees will play a leading role in the audit.

Next steps

11. The audit will begin with a data gathering phase which is now underway. This includes a series of initial discussions with a range of stakeholders to clarify the approach and discuss Ofcom’s data requirements in more detail.

Point of contact

12. For points of clarification and further information, please email Louise Banyard (louise.banyard@ofcom.org.uk).

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