The Communications Bill, currently making its way through Parliament, will merge the functions of the existing five regulatory bodies: The Broadcasting Standards Commission, the Independent Television Commission, Oftel, the Radio Authority and the Radiocommunications Agency, to the Office of Communications (Ofcom).

Ofcom is scheduled to be operational by the end of 2003. Ofcom will have regulatory powers covering broadcasting, telecommuniactions networks and the radio spectrum.

Ofcom’s transitional website provides further information about developments.