Open data

Open data is data that anyone can access, use or share.

Ofcom’s open data is a mix of data from or about the companies we regulate in the communications sector, and the citizens and consumers who use them. We also use and release other data which is not open.

All of the data available on our website and on other portals is subject to a licence.

Where we can make the data available on an open basis, we use the Open Government Licence, which gives users various freedoms about how they choose to use the data, subject to conditions.

In some cases we have made data available but have with limitations on how it can be used; for example, where some or all of that data is owned by a third party. In these cases we set out in the licence on exactly what basis you can use the data.

This portal includes links to all of our datasets which are available with an Open Data licence. See “Ofcom's open data” links below.

You can see this year's data publications on the statistical release calendar.

These data sets are also available on the main pages for their parent document, e.g. the Connected Nations 2015 report and the Consumer Experience Report 2016.

You can also find them on the data.gov.uk portal, alongside data sets from all central government departments and many other public sector bodies and local authorities.

We are still developing and building our approach to releasing open data. If you have any comments about this portal or our approach in general, please email open.data@ofcom.org.uk.

If you have comments or queries about a specific dataset available on this page please email open.data@ofcom.org.uk, setting out the dataset you are referring to. Please include links where relevant.

Broadcast radio stations

This data was published as part of the 2018 Media Nations report

Broadcast radio transmitters: technical parameters

The following information comprises details of the technical parameters of all analogue VHF, MF, and DAB transmitters (including services on multiplexes) currently on-air. In-use parameters are included mainly for listeners and aerial installers who may wish to know more about the nature of the signals they are receiving and possibly optimise their aerial accordingly. The maximum allowed parameters (within the terms of each licence) for analogue services are also included for the benefit of those, principally in the industry, who wish to make calculations, particularly about interference, for coverage-planning purposes. The format is intended more for ease of download and transfer into specialist databases, than for presentation.

The TxParams data will be refreshed regularly as new transmitters are added, modified, or suppressed.

Media Nations

Data on key trends in the television and audiovisual sector as well as the radio and audio sector. Includes data on the take-up of subscription on-demand and streaming services.

TV access services

Data on the extent to which broadcast television channels and on-demand programme services (“ODPS”) carried subtitles, audio description and/or signing (collectively, “access services”).

Viewers' experience of television reception

This document reports on research into the frequency of interference or disruption experienced by television broadcast viewers, across all platforms, as well as the types of disruption experienced by DTT viewers using rooftop aerials. It aims to understand whether DTT viewers (receiving broadcast TV via rooftop aerials) are aware of whom to contact when they experience television reception problems, and it seeks to evaluate affected viewers' satisfaction levels with the help they receive.

Communications Market Report

The Ofcom Communications Market Report has been published every year since 2004.

The report contains statistics and analysis of the UK communications sector and is a reference for industry, stakeholders and consumers. It also provides context to the work Ofcom undertakes in furthering the interests of consumers and citizens in the markets we regulate. It includes data and analysis on broadcast television and radio, fixed and mobile telephony, internet take-up and consumption and post.

We publish this report to support Ofcom’s regulatory goal to research markets constantly and to remain at the forefront of technological understanding. It fulfils the requirements on Ofcom under Section 358 of the Communications Act 2003 to publish an annual factual and statistical report. It also addresses the requirement to undertake and make public our consumer research (as set out in Sections 14 and 15 of the same Act).

International Communications Market Report

This annual report provides comparative international data on the communications sector. The aim of the report is to benchmark the UK communications sector against a range of comparator countries in order to assess how the UK is performing in an international context. The report compares the availability, take-up and use of services in the UK and 17 comparator countries - France, Germany, Italy, the US, Japan, Australia, Spain, the Netherlands, Sweden, Poland, Singapore, South Korea, Brazil, Russia, India, China and Nigeria, although we focus on a smaller subset of comparator countries for some of our analysis. This report is intended to be used in a number of ways: to benchmark the UK’s communications sector, to learn from market and regulatory developments in other countries, and to provide the context for Ofcom’s regulatory initiatives. It also contributes to the richness of the information we draw upon, better enabling us to understand how our actions and priorities can influence outcomes for citizens and consumers, and for communications markets generally.

The sectors covered include television and radio broadcasting; internet on-demand content; telecommunications and (since 2012) the postal market.

Telecoms and pay-TV complaints

Complaints recorded by Ofcom against the largest telecoms and pay-TV providers. Since May 2015 we have released these quarterly datasets in csv format.

This information is intended to help consumers make better-informed decisions. We believe that the publication of such information is useful for consumers, especially those who are thinking about changing provider or purchasing a new service. We also believe that publication of provider-specific complaint volumes incentivises providers to improve their performance.

Gifts and hospitality register

Register of gifts and hosptality given and received by Ofcom Board, Content Board, Executive Committee and leadership team members.

Audio Description awareness survey data

A pre-and post-wave survey tracking spontaneous and prompted awareness of audio description services, alongside service usage.

Consumer mobile experience

This report summarises data collected from a panel of consumers who have downloaded an app onto their Android smartphone. The app measures the performance of their voice and data connections, collects information about how they use their device and asks the user about their perception of the quality of the connection.

Our second report from this research uses data collected between September and December 2017. This research is part of a wider programme of work by Ofcom to research and provide information about mobile quality of service.

Consumer issues survey: Experience of nuisance calls

Data collected from a face-to-face survey of UK consumers about their concerns, issues or problems in the communications market, specifically with regard to nuisance calls.

Disability consumer research

Survey tracking the access and use of communications devices and services among non-disabled and disabled consumers, and monitoring disabled consumers’ limitations and preventions of use caused by their disability.

Internet users’ concerns about and experience of potential online harms

This report quantifies concerns about, and reported experience of, online harm in four key categories:

• Content that people view, read or listen to online
• Interactions with other users
• Data/privacy
• Hacking/security

The research also explored knowledge and opinions of the current level of regulation that applies to broadcast and online environments.

Media tracker

The cross-platform media tracker, formerly called the media tracker, provides information on UK adults’ attitudes and opinions towards television and radio broadcasting, and related areas such as news consumption and privacy.

News consumption in the UK

Ofcom is currently in the process of reviewing the News Survey in order to ensure that it remains fit for purpose. This means that there may be differences to the next survey including different questions and a different methodology. The 2015 executive summary and accompanying slide pack report provide the key findings of Ofcom’s 2015 research into news consumption across television, radio, print and online. The aim of the 2015 report was to inform an understanding of news consumption across the UK, and within each UK nation. The findings were published as part of our range of market research publications that examine people’s consumption of, and attitudes towards, different types of content on different platforms. The report provides data on various news consumption measures, including the sources and platforms used, the use of local news, the perceived importance of different outlets for news, attitudes to individual news sources, the reasons people follow news, and news consumption in the nations. It also compares the 2015 news consumption findings with those from the previous two years, where possible. The report also provides ‘share of references’ data. This is a cross-media measure used by Ofcom to compare the share of individual news sources, consumed across all platforms.

PSB tracker

The public service broadcasting tracking research survey covers UK adults' attitudes towards public service broadcasting on television, their satisfaction with PSB provision, and the importance to them of the characteristics associated with PSB provision in the UK.

Quality of customer service

These sets of data tables contain the results from an online survey which was used to interview customers who had made contact with their provider with a complaint six months prior to the interview. It explores reason for and satisfaction with the providers handling of the complaint.

Switching tracker

Data collected from face-to-face research with UK adults about switching between service provider in the communications market.

Technology tracker

The technology tracker measures awareness, access, use of and attitudes towards fixed and mobile telecoms, internet, multi-channel TV, and radio, among UK adults (aged 16+). Across the UK overall, and within each UK nation, the tracker provides detailed analysis by key population demographics, sub-region, and by urban vs. rural. It collects data that enable comparisons to be made with older data collected by Ofcom, informing Ofcom analysis, reports and decisions.

Up to and including 2014, there were three waves of research per year: from 2015 to 2017, there were two waves per year, in April and October. From 2018 there will be one wave of research per year.

The data have been published in csv format since 2011. The datasets from 2011 to 2015 inclusive contain the chart data only: from 2016 onwards they will contain all the data from the .spss files.

Children's media literacy

Annual report on children's media literacy in the UK. This report provides detailed evidence on media use, attitudes and understanding among children and young people aged 5-15, as well as detailed information about the media access and use of young children aged 3-4.

The report also includes findings relating to parents' views about their children's media use, and the ways that parents seek - or decide not - to monitor or limit use of different types of media. It is a reference tool for industry, stakeholders and consumers. It also provides context to the work Ofcom undertakes in furthering the interests of consumers and citizens in the markets we regulate.

*Date file was republished on Ofcom.org.uk. Data was not updated.

Adults’ media literacy

Data on adults' media use and attitudes across TV, radio, games, mobile and the internet, with a particular focus on online use and attitudes.

Postal volumes and revenue

Residential postal tracker

Data collected from annual research on UK consumers about the postal service. Provides data on residential consumers’ use of post, including quantities of letters and parcels sent and received, and their attitudes to the postal services.

Business postal tracker

Data collected from a survey of UK businesses about the postal service. The postal tracking survey is conducted each year and provides data on use of postal services, in terms of volumes of post sent and received, amount spent, postal products and services used, and attitudes to the postal services from the perspective of the UK business population.

Mobile signal strength measurement data from Network Rail's engineering trains

Since October 2017, Ofcom has been collecting data related to mobile signal strengths along the rail network in England, Scotland and Wales, using antennas mounted on the top of four of Network Rail’s yellow engineering trains (“the yellow trains”).

We are releasing the data collected between June 2018 and June 2019 under our open data policy, so that industry and policymakers can make full use of the information we have collected.

Mobile signal strength measurement data from Network Rail’s engineering trains – Information about the data files (PDF, 341.7 KB)

UK radiowave propagation measurement data for frequencies below 6 GHz

This radiowave propagation measurement data was collected by Ofcom in seven areas of the UK between 2015 and 2018. It is representative of the UK’s diverse topography. Measurements were made at six frequencies between 400 MHz and 6 GHz. All equipment was carefully calibrated allowing the basic transmission loss to be calculated. Ofcom is using the data to assess and improve UK specific performance and applicable frequency ranges of propagation prediction methods, including ITU-R P-series Recommendations.

We are making this data available so that academia and industry can benefit from the data in analysis of their own propagation models. A document, UK radiowave propagation measurement data for frequencies below 6 GHz (PDF, 4.1 MB), provides information on the technical parameters and describes the format of the measurement data files.

Wi-Fi airborne measurements

This data accompanies the two reports we published on 13 May 2016: 2.4GHz Wi-Fi airborne measurements (PDF, 1.7 MB), and 2.4 and 5GHz Wi-Fi airborne measurements over Northampton (PDF, 844.7 KB). Please see those documents for a detailed explanation of how this data was captured and our analysis of it. These data files are comma delimited, geo-located spectrum analyser measurements calibrated to the antenna port, with details of the equipment set-up in the headers.

The data was published to accompany our consultation on improving spectrum access for consumers in the 5GHz band (PDF, 1.1 MB), published 13 May 2016. This document sets out proposals for increasing the amount of 5GHz radio spectrum available for Wi-Fi and other related wireless technologies. It invites the views of stakeholders on how Ofcom's wider Wi-Fi strategy should be developed to meet consumer demand. In this document Ofcom sets out steps to enhance spectrum access for Wi-Fi and enable growth and innovation in new wireless services for consumers.

Wireless Telegraphy Register

The Wireless Telegraphy Register (WTR) provides information about who is licensed to operate services in specific frequencies, or geographical areas, and the technical parameters associated with those rights of use. Ofcom provides this information under Section 31 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006. The register also fulfils Ofcom's obligations under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 regarding making information progressively available. Ofcom aims to update this information on a quarterly basis.

Spectrum space strategy

Data on use of spectrum by the satellite and space science sectors. Published 1 March 2016 alongside Ofcom's proposed space spectrum strategy.

UK frequency allocation table

The UK frequency allocation table (UK FAT) details the uses to which various frequency bands are put in the UK (referred to as 'allocations') and which bodies are responsible for planning and managing them, including making frequency assignments to individual users or installations at particular locations. It also shows the internationally agreed spectrum allocations of the International Telecommunication Union. Ofcom manages this data on behalf of Government.

UK spectrum map

This data is in JSON format and is used to populate Ofcom’s Interactive Spectrum Map. It provides information on how different spectrum bands are used in the United Kingdom. This data covers spectrum use from 8.3kHz to 275GHz. The data is collected as part of Ofcom's statutory requirements. The information is taken from the information Ofcom holds on its licensed products and information obtained from Government.

UK (inhabited) Landmass Definition For Geographic Voice Coverage Obligation

5.8 GHz registered terminals

Connected Nations

Ofcom's annual reports on the UK’s fixed broadband coverage, mobile and wifi network coverage, digital television, digital radio and internet infrastructure. The Connected Nations Report (previously called the Infrastructure Report) charts the UK’s evolving communications infrastructure, and our progress towards becoming genuinely connected nations.

Telecommunications market data tables

This quarterly dataset for the UK fixed-line and mobile telecommunication markets contains data for aggregated call revenues, mobile phone and landline connections, call volumes, message volumes and subscriber numbers.

SMEs and communications services

Ofcom undertakes research on the availability and experience of communications services for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the UK, defined as businesses with fewer than 250 employees. A survey of 1501 SMEs (0-249 employees) was undertaken using CATI (computer aided telephone interviewing). The survey data were weighted to be representative of the SME universe on size. Fieldwork took place between 9 May and 18 July 2016.

UK home broadband performance

The report contains data and analysis regarding the performance of UK residential fixed-line broadband services. Specifically, the report contains information on the average performance of ADSL, cable and fibre broadband packages. We present this information at national average level as well as separately by package for the major internet service providers (ISPs). We publish this report to provide consumers and other stakeholders with useful comparative information on the performance of broadband services.August

Mobile matters

To better understand the changing ways in which people use their mobile services, and the experience they receive, Ofcom has analysed crowdsourced data collected between January and April 2020 from around 200,000 Android devices across the UK.

In this report, we focus on the share of connections across wireless network technologies (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi), the success rate for mobile connections, response times and patterns in the ways people use their mobile phones. We also look at how these vary by factors such as location, day of the week and time of day.