Telecommunications Industry Regulation and OFCOM

The Office of Telecommunications (OFTEL), a non-ministerial Government Department, regulates the UK telecoms industry under the 1984 Act by monitoring, enforcing and modifying the conditions attached to telecommunications licences. It is these conditions that specify operators' rights and obligations. The Northern Ireland Advisory Committee on Telecommunications (NIACT) is appointed by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to ensure that OFTEL and the companies that supply telephone networks, communication services and equipment take account of the needs of all consumers in Northern Ireland. To reflect the growing convergence between the broadcasting, telecommunications and information technology sectors, the Government proposes to create a new unified regulator for the electronic communications sector, the Office of Communications (OFCOM). This new regulator will replace all of the following: OFTEL; the Independent Television Commission (ITC); the Broadcasting Standards Commission; the Radiocommunications Agency; and the Radio Authority.