Ofcom's international work
The sectors Ofcom regulates are global in nature, so international engagement is an important part of making communications work for everyone.
Across our sectors, we face similar market and regulatory trends and challenges to many of our counterparts in Europe and beyond, particularly when it comes to the regulation of digital platforms.
What we do
We interact with our counterpart regulators, industry, and academia around the world. When we do, we exchange views on topics like online safety, network resilience and digital markets – alongside our broader programme of work, which reflects the sectors Ofcom regulates.
We use international engagement to inform how we design and apply regulation in the UK, and to support our horizon-scanning work. We also share our expertise with international partners, and seek to influence regulatory developments in the sectors that matter to us.
Ofcom also represents the UK on radio spectrum issues in important international groups, and participates in international fora on both telecoms and broadcasting matters.
International Stakeholder Forum
We host an International Stakeholder Forum (ISF) every four months. This is the main way we update UK stakeholders on our international activities. We also use the forum as an opportunity to share information, as well as impressions, on international policy developments.
If you would like to be added to the mailing list for the ISF, please contact us (see below).
Contact the International Team
If you would like to learn more about our international work, or if your organisation is interested in visiting Ofcom, please contact the team at ofcom.international@ofcom.org.uk
Global online safety regulators map out vision to improve international coordination
Published: 24 May 2024
Online safety regulators from around the world have today outlined their vision for how international regulatory approaches to online safety can be more coherent and coordinated.
Global Online Safety Regulators Network
Published: 14 March 2024
Last updated: 14 March 2024
Ofcom has joined forces with international regulators to enhance global efforts to make the online world a safer place.
Our international online safety work
Published: 9 November 2023
The online world is global in nature. Ofcom works with our international partners to ensure the online safety of people in the UK. Find out what we do and why.
Our international work on telecoms and digital markets
Published: 9 November 2023
Ofcom works with networks and partners around the world to coordinate our regulation of telecoms and digital markets. We also represent the UK on some of these matters internationally.
Our international broadcasting and content work
Published: 9 November 2023
We partner with regulators and other organisations around the world to share and inform Ofcom’s strong reputation for evidence-based enforcement and policy making.
International regulators come together to discuss online safety on a global scale
Published: 13 September 2023
Last updated: 13 September 2023
This week Ofcom hosted the first annual meeting of the Global Online Safety Regulators Network (GOSRN), which brings together regulators from Europe, Asia, Africa and the Pacific to discuss solutions to global online safety challenges.
British Overseas Territories
Published: 22 June 2011
Last updated: 16 March 2023
A Memorandum of Understanding between Ofcom and the UK Government was signed on 15 October 2007 to cover working arrangements for the British Overseas Territories (OTs) and Crown Dependencies (CDs)
Ofcom at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Published: 23 April 2010
Last updated: 16 March 2023
Ofcom represents the UK Government in the ITU and is known as the UK Administration. The ITU, based in Geneva, is an international organisation within the United Nations.
Ofcom's responses to international consultations
Published: 23 March 2022
Read Ofcom's responses to international consultations.
Ofcom at CEPT
Published: 13 April 2011
COM ITU meets regularly to co-ordinate CEPT involvement in all ITU matters (except ITU-R issues).