Ofcom

Ofcom is the communications supervisor.

They supervise the TV and radio sectors,

fixed line telecoms and mobiles, plus the

airwaves over which wireless devices operate.

They make sure that people in the UK get the

best from their communications services and

are protected from scams and sharp practices,

while ensuring that competition can thrive.

Ofcom operates under the Communications 

Act 2003. This detailed Act of Parliament

spells out exactly what Ofcom should do – they

can do no more or no less than is spelt out in the Act.

The Act says that Ofcom’s general dutys 

should be to further the interests of citizens

and of consumers. Meeting these two dutys is at 

the heart of everything we do.

Accountable to Parliament, we are involved 

in advising and setting some of the more

technical aspects of regulation, implementing and 

enforcing the law.

Ofcom is funded by fees from industry for

supervising broadcasting and communications

networks, and grant-in-aid from the Government.

What they do:

Their main legal dutys are to ensure:

• the UK has a wide range of electronic communications services, including high-speed services such as broadband;
• a wide range of high-quality television and radio programmes are provided, appealing to a range of tastes and interests;
• television and radio services are provided by a range of different organisations;
• people who watch television and listen to the radio are protected from harmful or offensive material;
• people are protected from being treated unfairly in television and radio programmes, and from having their privacy invaded; and
• the radio spectrum (the airwaves used by everyone from taxi firms and boat owners, to mobile-phone companies and broadcasters) is used in the most effective way.