 |
 |
Dear All, As several of us responded to Ofcom's consultation on citizens, communications and convergence, I thought it worth drawing attention to the fact that Ofcom has published its response (amidst the blah below). I can't help thinking that this shouldn't be the last word on this extremely important issue. All the best, Julian. From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Updates Sent: 11 May 2010 11:13 To: undisclosed-recipients: Subject: Ofcom update: Communications Monthly Update: May 2010 This update provides a list of recent Ofcom publications. This month's update covers: * Notice of Ofcom's decision to vary Satellite Earth Station licences * Guidelines for dealing with regulators of other EU Member States in relation to UK-licensed television channels * Schools programmes on Channel 4 * Office of the Telecommunications Adjudicator Update * Office of the Adjudicator Broadcast Transmission Services Report * Ofcom extends coverage of High Peak Radio * Citizens, communications and convergence: A summary of stakeholder responses, and our next steps * TV Licence Variations * Ofcom correction to consultation on PhonepayPlus' draft Code of Practice * Consumer Bulletin * Consumer Protection Test * Media Literacy e-bulletin * Television broadcast licensing update * Radio licensing monthly update Notice of Ofcom's decision to vary Satellite Earth Station licences Ofcom has given notice of its decision to vary and re-issue current Satellite Earth Station licences in order to implement necessary changes as a consequence of the Audiovisual Media Services (AVMS) Directive. The notice can be found at: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/satellite_services/notice/ Guidelines for dealing with regulators of other EU Member States in relation to UK-licensed television channels Ofcom has published guidelines to explain the procedures Ofcom will usually follow in dealing with media regulators from other Member States of the European Union when handling complaints about services which fall under UK jurisdiction but are primarily directed towards people in other Member States. The guidelines can be found here: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/ifi/Procedural_Guidelines.pdf Schools programmes on Channel 4 Following a request from Channel 4, Ofcom has agreed to make changes to the Channel 4 licence regarding the provision of schools programmes. In its 2009 Public Service Broadcasting Review, Ofcom proposed that Channel 4 should have an extended remit to deliver public service content on platforms other than linear television. This new remit was enshrined in the 2010 Digital Economy Act. Based on evidence that schools rarely use programmes broadcast on linear TV, Ofcom has agreed that online provision of schools material is a more appropriate and effective form of delivery. The new licence provisions require the Channel to set out in its published annual statement of content policy its proposed delivery of schools materials, other than on Channel 4 itself, and to notify Ofcom in advance of the planned expenditure on such materials. As the previous volume of schools programmes formed a part of Channel 4's delivery of originally commissioned programmes, Ofcom has agreed to vary the licence obligation for originated programmes as a percentage of the Channel's output from 60 to 56 per cent. The revised licence can be found at: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/ifi/tvlicensing/c4/Variation_13.pdf Office of the Telecommunications Adjudicator Update The Independent Office of the Telecommunications Adjudicator (OTA2) today published its update for April 2010. This shows that at the end of April there were 6.70 million unbundled lines and 6.01 million Wholesale Line Rental lines. The number of telephone numbers using Carrier Pre-Select was 3.48 million. The update can be found here: http://www.offta.org.uk/ Office of the Adjudicator Broadcast Transmission Services Report Ofcom has today published a report from the independent Office of the Adjudicator - Broadcast Transmission Services (OTA-BTS) for the period from 1 January to 31 March 2010. The report can be found here http://www.adjudicator-bts.org.uk/reports.htm <http://www.adjudicator-bts.org.uk/reports.htm> Ofcom extends coverage of High Peak Radio Ofcom today announces an extension of coverage to High Peak Radio (Buxton and Ashbourne) to include the adjoining locality of Wirksworth, by means of a relay transmitter. The Broadcasting Act 1990 (as amended) allows Ofcom to vary local commercial radio licences in this way, providing such a variation "would not result in a significant increase of the area or locality for which the service in question is licensed to be provided". A revised coverage map for High Peak Radio will be published after the new relay is implemented. Citizens, communications and convergence: A summary of stakeholder responses, and our next steps In July 2008, we published a discussion document setting out Ofcom's role in furthering the interests of citizens. This statement provides a summary of responses to that discussion and an outline of steps Ofcom will take to ensure a more transparent and consistent approach to furthering the interests of citizens. The statement can be found at: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/citizens/ <http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/citizens/> TV Licence Variations Ofcom varied the following licences to reflect the necessary changes in transmission arrangements to allow digital switchover in the West region and STV North region. The affected licences can be found here: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/ifi/tvlicensing/ (HTV Wales & West, STV North, GMTV, Channel 4 and Channel 5) The affected multiplex licences can be found here: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/ifi/tvlicensing/muxlicensees/ Ofcom correction to consultation on PhonepayPlus' draft Code of Practice Ofcom has amended its consultation document to clarify that PhonepayPlus is only proposing to exempt 0871 providers from a requirement to register and not Directory Enquiry providers as originally indicated. Stakeholders can submit their views to both organisations through this consultation on which providers should be required to register with PhonepayPlus. The amended consultation document can be found at www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/ppp/ Consumer Bulletin The quarterly bulletin summarises recent work on consumer advice and protection. It also includes data on the number of calls on telecoms issues such as silent calls and slamming. The Consumer Bulletin can be found here: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/telecoms/ioi/bulletins/consumers/consumer_apr10. pdf Consumer Protection Test The Consumer Protection Test for telephone number allocation focuses on communications providers who have used numbers to cause serious or repeated harm to consumers. Ofcom will not allocate 070 personal numbers, 0871/2/3 special service higher rate numbers and 09 premium rate numbers to anyone who appears on either of two lists. We strongly encourage all providers that assign telephone numbers to others to take best use of numbers and consumer protection into account and to refer to the following two lists that we are publishing when making assignment decisions. The latest 'Under Assessment' and 'Number Refusal' lists have been updated here: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/telecoms/ioi/numbers/cpt/ <http://www.ofcom.org.uk/telecoms/ioi/numbers/cpt/> Media literacy e-bulletin This month's Media Literacy e-Bulletin looks forward to the month ahead, with both Adult Learners' Week and Silver Surfers' Day taking place in May. The media literacy e-Bulletin can be found here: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/advice/media_literacy/medlitpub/bulletins/issue3 2/ <http://www.ofcom.org.uk/advice/media_literacy/medlitpub/bulletins/issue 32/> Television broadcast licensing update The latest information about Ofcom's broadcast TV licensing activity, including details of new licences issued and changes to existing licences, can be found here: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/ifi/tvlicensing/tvupdates/monthly/201004 <http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/ifi/tvlicensing/tvupdates/monthly/201004> Radio licensing update The Monthly Update provides information about Ofcom's broadcast radio licensing activity and details of commercial radio licence re-advertisements. It includes changes to the Format change request regime following the passage of the Digital Economy Act 2010, the pre-advertisement of the Shetland Islands licence, changes to the Formats of stations, and details of new community radio licence awards. http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radio/ifi/rbl/rbupdates/update0410/ ........................................................................ ... Please do not respond to this email. To remove yourself from this update list, use the online forms: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/subscribe/select_list.htm. ************************************************************************ ****************************************** For more information visit www.ofcom.org.uk This email (and any attachments) is confidential and intended for the use of the addressee only. If you have received this email in error please notify the originator of the message and delete it from your system. This email has been scanned for viruses. However, you open any attachments at your own risk. Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender and do not represent the views or opinions of Ofcom unless expressly stated otherwise. ************************************************************************ ****************************************** ______________________________________________________________________ This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System. For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email ______________________________________________________________________ Scanned by Demon MailDefender No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.437 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2867 - Release Date: 05/11/10 06:26:00 ------------------------------------------------- MeCCSA Policy mailing list W: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/meccsa-policy.html Please visit this page to browse list's archives, or to join or leave the list.