Ofcom's Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25

Reforming the postal service

Our proposed reforms to the postal service will enable Royal Mail to adapt in an evolving market and future-proof a vital method of communication used by millions of people in the UK.

Wider broadband reach

Some 25 million homes in the UK can now access gigabit-capable connections, including both full-fibre and ultrafast cable networks, almost reaching the Government’s target of 85% coverage by 2025.

Ensuring telecoms resilience

Our continued monitoring of the security and resilience of the UK’s telecoms networks provides reassurance for the consumers and businesses who rely on them every day.

Implementing the Media Act

We began our implementation of the Media Act, legislation that will protect public service broadcasting, help audiences to continue to enjoy quality programming, and help to support the UK’s creative economy.

Speaking to audiences

Through our research into audiences’ preferences and changing behaviours, we can better understand their evolving needs and inform our rules and how we work in this area.

Improving accessibility

We have continued to make sure people with hearing and sight impairments can access crucial services such as subtitles, signing and audio description on a range of television channels and platforms.

Enforcing standards, protecting audiences

We assessed tens of thousands of complaints and took action where broadcasters broke our rules, ensuring audiences’ continued trust in what they see and hear.

Maintaining freedom of expression

While carrying out our work to protect audiences and uphold broadcast rules, we also continued to consider broadcasters’ and audiences’ right to freedom of expression – a vital balance to strike.

Driving diversity

The broadcasting industry must reflect the range of audiences it serves. Our monitoring of diversity in the sector helps to achieve this and identifies areas for improvement.

Taking action

Our work as online safety regulator has formally begun – we’ve set out the rules, kicked off enforcement action and have already launched investigations into some online services.

A focus on children

Through our research we have identified specific harms to children and are working to protect them from illegal and harmful content.

Careful consultation

Through detailed consultation over the past year we have been able to set out practical measures that providers must put in place to make services safer for their users.

Better, faster connections

We’re ready to grant access to new radio spectrum, improving mobile connections in the areas they’re most needed.

Innovation in the airwaves

Through pioneering sharing of spectrum, airwaves will be used in a range of different ways, boosting coverage and performance for people who need to stay connected.

Driving growth

By setting out future uses for the radio spectrum, we’re unlocking new and improved uses, driving competition as providers seek to meet consumers’ needs.

Public consultations allow stakeholders to comment on, and respond to, our proposals before any final decisions are made. If the period for consultation is too short, some of those with important views to share may not have enough time to prepare their responses. If it is too long, the market concerned may have changed dramatically.

Ofcom aims to ensure that impact assessments are carried out and properly presented in all relevant consultations

Progress against the Government Greening Commitments (GGC) targets.

In order for Ofcom to be as representative as we can be of the nations, regions and communities of the UK, as part of our five-year diversity and inclusion strategy, we set targets to increase the diversity of our workforce.

Senior levels include staff at Principal and senior managers and specialists (SMS) grades.

Ofcom has a statutory duty under the Communications Act 2003 to establish procedures for the handling and resolution of complaints from listeners and viewers about radio and television programmes broadcast. The target and performance against it is reported in working days.

Progress against the Quality of Service Targets for Complaints of Spectrum Interference Received

Progress against the Targets for Spectrum licence types

• Category A - involve no frequency assignment, site clearance or international co-ordination
• Category B - involve frequency assignment, but no site clearance or international co-ordination
• Category C - require frequency assignment, and site clearance and/or international co-ordination