CommsWatch

Ever since Ofcom was created almost five years ago, I've wanted to see the organisation make better use of the communications technologies that it regulates and most especially to make its consultation processes more consumer-friendly and interactive. I blogged a few days ago on some quiet, tentative steps that the regulator was taking in the right direction.

Today sees another significant step forward with the publication of a consultation "Mobile citizens, mobile consumers" which considers whether the mobile sector delivers on the needs of UK citizens and consumers and how regulation should adapt to reflect market and technological change.

The actual consultation document can be found here and a video explaining the consultation can be seen here.

Over and above this though, there are two interactive elements to the consultation: an interactive executive summary which can be found here and a blog on the subject of mobile communications (including an article providing an overview of the consultation) which can be found here.

Well done to David Stewart and his team at Ofcom. It's over to you guys now to engage and post comments. Don't be shy ....

Posted by Roger Darlington at 11:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

The BBC reports the latest ONS data showing that two-thirds of UK homes are now on-line. But one third is still not connected - and a graph of growth suggests total numbers have stalled.

Posted by Roger Darlington at 05:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

This is the title of my latest column on Internet issues which I contribute each month to the magazine of the telecoms trade union Connect. You can check out the text here.

Posted by Roger Darlington at 01:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Traditionally Ofcom has been reluctant to use new interactive technologies to have a dialogue with stakeholders - but the mood seems to be changing.

Four months ago, Ofcom created its first blog to encourage discussion on the Public Service Broadcasting review. Participation seems to be disappointingly low - either the subject is too specialised or broadcasters are shy folk or people are keeping their cards close to their chest.

Very quietly - you might therefore have not noticed - Ofcom has taken another tentative step in the direction of interactivity with publication of the "Communications Market Report 2008". On an experimental site, Ofcom is inviting "informal comments" on the key points arising from the review.

So, now you know how to spend that forthcoming (probably wet) Bank Holiday weekend.

Posted by Roger Darlington at 11:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)