Rydym yn defnyddio cwcis i wella eich profiad ar ein gwefan. Am wybodaeth am y cwcis yma a sut i’w dileu, darllenwch ein polisi cwcis.
Ofcom has joined together with the UK's other economic regulators to form the UK Regulators Network (UKRN).
The aim of the UKRN is to improve collaboration across regulated sectors, allowing members to work closer together on issues of cross-sectoral significance, while maintaining their independent status.
The UKRN provides the structure for regulators to deliver unique policy projects, which combine their strengths and assist them in providing benefit to stakeholders, including consumers and investors.
The varied nature of the sectors that the member organisations regulate is recognised and the work the UKRN has done to date has identified specific areas where all the regulators can deliver better outcomes together.
Its work programme for 2016/17 consists of three workstreams:
The UKRN comprises the following organisations:
NHS Improvement, the sector regulator for health, participates in the network and its projects as appropriate. The Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS) and the The Legal Services Board (LSB) are contributing members which generally participate as observers.
Publication - UKRN advice for vulnerable consumers seeking support services
The UK Regulators Network has published new advice on the extra help available to older, ill, or disabled people when using services such as gas, electricity, water, phones and public transport.
Publication - UKRN report on Price Comparison Websites
This report covers the role of PCWs, understanding consumer expectations and how PCWs are regulated.
Publication - UKRN launches cross sector investor guide
A new guide launched today by the UKRN will support current and future investment in the UK’s regulated infrastructure sectors.
Publication - UKRN Statement on consumer engagement and switching
The UK Regulators Network (UKRN) has published a report setting out its findings on the key barriers that make it difficult for consumers to engage, assess and/or act in regulated markets.
Publication - Cross sector infrastructure interactions: next steps
The UK Regulators Network has published a document reviewing evidence and outlining next steps on infrastructure interactions.
Publication - UKRN Report on Regulating for Quality of Service
The UK Regulators Network (UKRN) has published a report which sets out current practices for regulating for quality in telecommunications, rail, energy and water.
Three discussion papers produced by contributors of the Consumer Working Group.
The Consumer Forum for Communications (CFC) is an informal forum hosted by Ofcom, for consumer representatives to share information and views with each other, and with people who formulate and implement communications policies that affect consumers. The goal is to help decision-makers to be as well-informed as possible about consumers' preferences and priorities.
The Consumer Forum for Communications (CFC) is an informal forum hosted by Ofcom, for consumer representatives to share information and views with each other, and with people who formulate and implement communications policies that affect consumers. The goal is to help decision-makers to be as well-informed as possible about consumers preferences and priorities.
During its 10-year life, CFC has had various changes in management and focus. Since 2008, Ofcom's Consumer Affairs team has taken over primary responsibility for the Forum from the Communications Consumer Panel, and appointed an independent Chair, while itself providing the secretariat and other necessary support.
The Forum holds quarterly meetings at Ofcom, which are open to all members and also attended by representatives of the Communications Consumer Panel. Discussions can also continue between meetings. New members are welcome as are suggestions for new ways of working and new topics to explore.
Which?
Action on Hearing Loss | |
Age UK | |
BCS - The Chartered Institute for IT | |
Carnegie UK Trust | |
Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution | |
Chartered Trading Standards Institute | |
Citizens Advice | |
Communications Consumer Panel | |
Countryside Alliance | |
Communications Workers Union | www.cwu.org |
Digital Policy Alliance | |
Essential Services Access Network | |
Fair Telecoms Campaign | |
Hearing Link | |
Helplines Partnership | |
Mediawatch | |
Money Advice Trust | |
National Association of Deafened People | |
National Consumer Federation | |
Ombudsman Services: Communications | |
PhonepayPlus | |
Privacy International | |
Prospect | |
Royal National Institute of Blind People | |
Sense | |
Signature | |
Stepchange | |
Good Things Foundation | |
Voice of the Listener and Viewer | |
Wavelength | |
| Which | www.which.co.uk |
Chair of the Consumer Forum: Roger Darlington: rogerdarlington@dsl.pipex.com
Consumer Forum secretariat: cfc.secretariat@ofcom.org.uk
Members of the Consumer Forum can access our discussion site http://ofcomconsumerforum.groupsite.com
EPRA was set up in 1995 in response to the need for increased co-operation between European regulatory authorities. With its 20 years of experience and a robust network of working-level contacts, EPRA is the oldest and largest network of broadcasting regulators and is an ideal setting for the exchange of information, cases and best practices between broadcasting regulators in Europe.
The Office of Communications ("Ofcom") and the Information Commissioner's Office ("ICO") agree that it would be helpful to adopt a Letter of Understanding ("Letter") to set out a basis for future collaboration between Ofcom and ICO in areas where we may share a common enforcement responsibility. The purpose of this Letter is to enable both organisations to use our resources most effectively, strengthen mutual cooperation and adopt recognised good regulatory practice. At present, the areas where we share enforcement responsibility are primarily those covered by the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 (the "Regulations"), which include the use of automated calling systems, the transmission of recorded messages that contain direct marketing material, and compliance with the Telephone Preference Service and other similar services(-1-). The commitments in this Letter are not intended to be binding, but serve to signal those actions we intend to take to improve cooperation between us. Ofcom and ICO acknowledge that both organisations have statutory duties to disclose, and not to disclose, information under certain circumstances (including under the Data Protection Act 1998) and that if there is a conflict between those obligations and commitments made in this Letter, the agency shall comply with its statutory obligations.
Ofcom and ICO have discrete and concurrent powers to enforce in these areas:
Powers under the Enterprise Act allow enforcement action to be exercised retrospectively, to prevent the repetition of the non-compliant behaviour after it has ceased, although these powers may only be exercised through the courts. Ofcom's powers in relation to persistent misuse enable Ofcom to take action to bring persistent misuse to an end, remedy the consequences of persistent misuse and to impose a financial penalty on the persistent misuser, up to a maximum set by the Secretary of State (currently £50,000).
Ofcom and ICO will decide which organisation is best placed to investigate issues of suspected non-compliance applying the following non-exhaustive principles:
Bearing in mind the importance of transparency in decision-making:
Given that effective enforcement benefits from effective information-sharing:
Ofcom and ICO intend to review the arrangements set out in this Letter at appropriate intervals, with a view to improving cooperation and identifying further areas where coordinated action could further the interests of UK citizens and consumers.
Footnotes
1.- The Telephone Preference Service ("TPS") enables consumers to nominate that they do not wish to receive unsolicited marketing calls. For details on the TPS and other similar services, see www.tpsonline.org.uk.
2.- A "designated enforcer" is a person who has been so designated by the Secretary of State under section 213 of the Enterprise Act.
Following publication of the Postal Services Bill by the Government, this statement sets out how both Postcomm and Ofcom will carry out their respective roles before and after regulatory responsibility for the postal sector transfers to Ofcom. Postcomm and Ofcom will work together both to secure a smooth transition with minimal disruption for industry, users and staff and also to progress ongoing work to change the current regulatory framework prior to and following Royal Assent of the new Bill.
The Postal Services Commission (Postcomm) is the regulator for the postal market established under the Postal Services Act 2000. It exercises its functions in the manner which it considers is best calculated to ensure the provision of a universal postal service and, subject to this and among other duties, to further the interests of users of postal services, wherever appropriate by promoting effective competition between postal operators.
The Office of Communications (Ofcom) is the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries, established under the Office of Communications Act 2002, with responsibilities across television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications services. Ofcom has a duty to further the interests of citizens and consumers in relation to communications matters and to further the interests of consumers in relevant markets, where appropriate by promoting competition.
The Postal Services Bill (published today by the Government and available at Postal service reform) provides for the transfer of Postcomm's regulatory responsibility for the postal sector and its staff to Ofcom. The Bill will require Ofcom to carry out its postal services functions in a way that it considers will secure the provision of a universal postal service. In doing so, Ofcom will be required to have regard to the need for the universal postal service to be financially sustainable and efficient. In addition the Bill will replace the existing licensing regime for providers of postal services with a general authorisation system, subject to regulatory conditions imposed by Ofcom, as already applies to communications providers.
In the period leading up to the transfer of regulatory responsibility for postal services, Postcomm and Ofcom have agreed to work together as far as practicable to maintain regulatory stability for both postal users and operators, with a view to providing as much confidence and certainty as possible for the future direction of regulation and to ensure a smooth transition. Ofcom will have responsibility for implementing a new regulatory framework when the Bill comes into effect. In the meantime, Postcomm remains the regulator for the postal sector and continues to be the contact for postal industry stakeholders.
Postcomm is currently undertaking a programme of work to revise the existing regulatory framework for post. Postcomm aims to conclude an interim price control for 2011/12 and has consulted on a range of proposals including measures to improve cost transparency and provide for accounting separation. Postcomm also intends to progress further work covering aspects of wholesale and retail price regulation, the access regime more generally, financial accounting of Royal Mail and the scope of the universal service. Ofcom will ensure a smooth transition of this work to deliver a new price control to take effect from spring 2012 with Ofcom taking over the process when the new Act enters into effect.
Postcomm, Ofcom and Government are confident that Postcomm's work in this area can be progressed in a way that maintains the momentum for much needed change to the regulatory framework prior to and following Royal Assent.
Nigel Stapleton, Postcomm's Chairman, will be standing down as Chairman as planned when his appointment ends in January 2011. An Interim Chair appointment will be made from within the current Postal Services Commissioners and Ofcom Board with the aim of ensuring a seamless transition between the two regulators and the two regimes.
The Bill is subject to Parliamentary approval. Following Royal Assent the date for the transfer of regulatory responsibility for the postal sector from Postcomm to Ofcom will be set by the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.
Postcomm and Ofcom look forward to working together to ensure a smooth transfer of regulatory responsibility and both are confident this will result in the delivery of an effective price control which will offer regulatory certainty to all stakeholders.
Ofcom will fulfil its new regulatory responsibilities for mail when they are agreed by Parliament. Ofcom expects its work to focus initially on completing the 2012 price control and access regime for mail, and determining the scope of the regulatory conditions that will apply to Royal Mail and to other postal operators under the new general authorisation regime.
EDWARD DAVEY
Minister for Postal Affairs
TIM BROWN
CEO Postcomm
ED RICHARDS
CEO Ofcom
13 October 2010
Joint statement from BIS, Postcomm and Ofcom - Postal Services Bill (PDF, 72.3 KB)
PDF File, 334.8 KB
PDF File, 308.3 KB
8 Jul 2010
The Advisory Committee for Northern Ireland advises Ofcom about the interests and opinions, in relation to communications matters, of persons living in Northern Ireland.
The Ofcom team in Belfast represents Ofcom in Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland in Ofcom. We ensure that we keep in touch with the views and opinions of citizens and consumers, the regulated industries and stakeholders more generally in Northern Ireland and factor these into our policy and decision making.
Members are required to disclose interests (including shareholdings, directorships and employments) they, their partners or minor children have in companies whose core business activities (and hence share price) could be affected by Ofcom's decisions.
The Ofcom Wales team represents Ofcom in Wales and Wales within Ofcom – managing relationships and communications with the general public and a wide range of industry stakeholders, including politicians, industry and the media.
