1. Ofcom

2. • What is Ofcom
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• Ofcom stands for office of communications. Ofcom regulatesTV and Radio
Programmes in the UK; they have legal duties to follow and intend to protect
viewers and listeners especially children under the age of 18. Ofcom have a
broadcasting Code, where strict rules and standards that must be followed by a
fellow broadcaster.
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3. • The Act says that Ofcom’s general duties should be to further the interests of
citizens and of consumers. Meeting these two duties is at the heart of
everything we do.
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• Accountable to Parliament, they are involved in advising and setting some of the
more technical aspects of regulation, implementing and enforcing the law.
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• Ofcom is funded by fees from industry for regulating broadcasting and
communications networks, and grant-in-aid from the Government.
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4. Their main legal duties 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
• A universal postal service is provided in the UK – this means a six days a week, universally
priced delivery and collection service across the country; 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.

5. Example of a case regulated by Ofcom
• Complainant: Ofcom own-initiative
• Investigation against: Communications Providers offering fixed line telephony, mobile, broadband or PayTV services to consumers
• Case opened: 1 April 2009
• Issue: Compliance with the UnfairTerms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 in relation to Additional Charges, following Ofcom’s
publication of Guidance on what we consider to be the law in relation to such charges (Guidance) see related item.
• Relevant instrument: UnfairTerms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999
• On 19 December 2008, after public consultation, Ofcom published its final Statement in its Review of Additional Charges in contracts for
communications services (including non direct debit and early termination charges).That Statement includes sector-specific Guidance
which is our view of the application of the UnfairTerms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 (the Regulations) to certain standard
terms in contracts for the supply of communications services (the Guidance).
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6. Example of a case regulated by Ofcom
• Complainant: Ofcom own-initiative
• Investigation against: Communications Providers offering fixed line telephony, mobile, broadband or PayTV services to consumers
• Case opened: 1 April 2009
• Issue: Compliance with the UnfairTerms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 in relation to Additional Charges, following Ofcom’s
publication of Guidance on what we consider to be the law in relation to such charges (Guidance) see related item.
• Relevant instrument: UnfairTerms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999
• On 19 December 2008, after public consultation, Ofcom published its final Statement in its Review of Additional Charges in contracts for
communications services (including non direct debit and early termination charges).That Statement includes sector-specific Guidance
which is our view of the application of the UnfairTerms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 (the Regulations) to certain standard
terms in contracts for the supply of communications services (the Guidance).
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