Offcom

Extracted Attributes

• Type

  Regulatory and competition authority

• Full Name

  Office of Communications

• Headquarters

  London, United Kingdom

• Jurisdiction

  United Kingdom

• Sectors Regulated

  Broadcasting, telecommunications, postal services, internet, wireless spectrum

• Primary Legislation

  Office of Communications Act 2002, Communications Act 2003, Online Safety Act 2023

Timeline

• The Office of Communications Act 2002 is passed, establishing Ofcom as a regulatory body. (Source: Wikipedia)

  2002-01-01

• The Communications Act 2003 grants Ofcom authority to set and enforce regulatory rules across communications sectors. (Source: Lexology)

  2003-01-01

• New duties under the Telecoms Security Act come into force, providing Ofcom with powers to monitor and enforce network security. (Source: Lexology)

  2022-10-01

• The Online Safety Act 2023 is enacted, significantly expanding Ofcom's powers to regulate online content and safety. (Source: Lexology)

  2023-10-26

• Ofcom joins the Global Online Safety Regulators Network to enhance international efforts in digital safety. (Source: Ofcom.org.uk)

  2024-03-14

Lauren Booth

Lauren Booth (born Sarah Jane Booth; 22 July 1967) is an English broadcaster, journalist and activist holding a VIP Palestinian Authority passport as well as a British passport.

Web Search Results

• Ofcom

  The Office of Communications (Ofcom) is the government-approved regulatory and competition authority for the broadcasting, internet, telecommunications and postal industries of the United Kingdom. Ofcom has wide-ranging powers across the television, radio, telecoms, internet and postal sectors. It has a statutory duty to represent the interests of citizens and consumers by promoting competition and protecting the public from harmful or offensive material. Some of the main areas Ofcom regulates are TV and radio standards, broadband and phones, video-sharing platforms online, the wireless spectrum and postal services. | Office of Communications Act 2002 | [...] Ofcom is also the competition authority for telecoms, enforcing remedies in markets where it believes dominant operators may have a potentially harmful influence on competition or consumers. One of its most high-profile interventions was to require BT to split its wholesale and retail arms into separate companies, bringing about the creation of Openreach which supplies wholesale services to both BT Retail and competing providers. [...] For other uses, see Ministry of Communications. For the Federal Office of Communications in Switzerland, also known as OFCOM, see Federal Office of Communications. For the executive arm of Communications Authority in Hong Kong, see Office of the Communications Authority. Office of Communications

• About Ofcom

  Ofcom is the regulator for the communications services that we use and rely on each day.

• In brief: telecoms regulation in United Kingdom - Lexology

  CA 2003 grants authority to the Office of Communications (Ofcom), the United Kingdom’s national regulatory authority for communications. The role of Ofcom is to set and enforce regulatory rules in all sectors for which it is responsible and, along with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), to promote fair competition across the industry by enforcing competition laws. As part of Ofcom’s regulatory principles, Ofcom must take the least intrusive approach to intervention and will only do so where the intervention would be evidence-based, proportionate, consistent and transparent. [...] Although Ofcom is accountable to Parliament, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), is the UK government department with overall responsibility for developing the telecoms regulatory framework within the United Kingdom. Ofcom is restricted to acting within the powers conferred on it by Parliament. Ofcom’s Plan of Work 2024–25 focuses on ensuring fast, reliable and affordable internet connection services, supporting a diverse range of media outlets to deliver high-quality content, implement the new online safety regime and enabling wireless services in the economy. This upcoming year is the first full financial year since the enactment of the Online Safety Act 2023 and represents a significant expansion in Ofcom’s powers. [...] Ofcom has also been given the responsibility of making sure the United Kingdom’s telecoms networks are safe and secure, following the introduction of the Telecoms Security Act. The new duties came into force on 1 October 2022 and provide Ofcom with the power to monitor and enforce how providers comply with the new rules, including fines and enforcing interim steps to address security gaps.

• Ofcom

  Topics MenuAbout Ofcom Ofcom is the regulator for the communications services that we use and rely on each day. Internet-based services As people communicate seamlessly online and offline, we now need to invest our efforts into making digital communications work for everyone Media use and attitudes Ofcom wants to understand how adults and children in the UK use media. Online safety Under the Online Safety Act, Ofcom's job is to make online services safer for the people who use them. We make sure companies have effective systems in place to protect users from harm. Phones and broadband Ofcom is committed to a thriving telecoms sector, where companies can compete fairly and customers benefit from a broad range of services Post [...] ### Global Online Safety Regulators Network Published: 14 March 2024 Last updated: 22 January 2026 Ofcom has joined forces with international regulators to enhance global efforts to make the online world a safer place. Subscribe to email updates Follow us x-twitter facebook linkedin youtube instagram tiktok About Ofcom What is Ofcom? Contact us Nations and regions Jobs General Privacy Statement Modern slavery statement Our work in Welsh About this website Accessibility Cookies policy Terms of use Copyright and information re-use © Ofcom 2026 Back to top [...] Ofcom's job is to make sure there is a universal postal service. Spectrum You can't see or feel radio spectrum, but we use it every day. Our job is to authorise and manage the use of spectrum in the UK. TV, radio and on-demand We make sure that broadcasters provide quality TV, radio and on-demand programmes that appeal to diverse audiences. We also have rules in place to protect viewers and listeners from harm. Ofcom's work MenuAdvice for businesses How to make the most of communications services as a small business. Advice for consumers How to make the most of the services you use, and deal with problems. Consultations and statements Proposals we are consulting on and decisions we've made. Enforcement

• Ofcom - GOV.UK

  ## Cookies on GOV.UK We use some essential cookies to make this website work. We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time. You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time. View cookies # Ofcom Ofcom separate website"> Ofcom has a separate website Ofcom is the regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries. It regulates the TV and radio sectors, fixed line telecoms, mobiles, postal services, plus the airwaves over which wireless devices operate. [...] Ofcom works with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. ## Documents ### Services Call charges and phone numbers See all services ### Guidance and regulation Legislation and regulation + Guidance Launching or returning a rocket or space plane: rules and regulations + Guidance See all guidance and regulation ### News and communications Tamara Ingram appointed as Deputy Chair of the Ofcom Board + News story Lord Richard Allan appointed as Non-Executive Director of the Ofcom Board + News story See all news and communications ### Research and statistics Researchers’ access to information from regulated services + Independent report Ofcom security report for the period October 2022 to October 2024 + Independent report [...] + Independent report See all research and statistics ### Policy papers and consultations Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum (DRCF) workplan 2023 to 2024: Call for input + Closed consultation CMA-Ofcom joint statement on online safety and competition + Policy paper See all policy papers and consultations ### Transparency and freedom of information releases Office of Communications section 400 licence fees and penalties account 2024 to 2025 + Corporate report Ofcom annual report and accounts 2024 to 2025 + Corporate report See all transparency and freedom of information releases ## Is this page useful? Maybe Thank you for your feedback ## Help us improve GOV.UK