Accessible telecoms
Ofcom requires telecoms providers to offer a range of services designed to benefit customers with additional access needs. Here is our research on the provision of accessible telecoms.
In 2010 and 2015 we commissioned bdrc continental to carry out mystery shopping research to monitor what advice is offered to new or prospective customers by telecoms providers.
In 2011 we commissioned research to help us to understand, among other things, how well the text relay service meets the needs of those with hearing and speech impairments.
Our research tracked the growth of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) in the UK, and its applications.
This research includes Analysys Mason's 2011 report on how VoIP capabilities to support emergency services and our 2007 VoIP research report.
The availability of an affordable voice telephony service would reduce communications barriers for many hard of hearing people when using the phone.
A 2009 independent report by Plum Consulting looked at voice calls for deaf people.
Our 2008 study reviewed some of the issues arising from the use of captioned telephony.
In 2012 we commissioned CSMG to produce a report on international deployments of video relay services.
We also commissioned a 2006 report as part of our review of the Universal Service Obligation, which focuses primarily on video relay.
In 2006 we revisited the issues raised by next generation access investments.