Ofcom publishes Annual Plan for 2005/6

Ofcom has published its Annual Plan for 2005/6.

Key points are:

* Ofcom's primary focus in 2005/6 will be the implementation of the outcomes of its strategic reviews of telecommunications, of spectrum, of radio and of public service television broadcasting.

* Ofcom will seek further opportunities to withdraw from regulation and maintain its bias against intervention by imposing a high threshold before creating new regulation.

* Ofcom remains committed to being an "RPI minus x" regulator. Its operating budget for 2005/6 is 8% lower in real terms than the budget for 2004/5; this reduction, combined with greater than expected operating efficiencies through 2004/5, has resulted in significantly lower fees for licensees in 2005/6. Through the coming year Ofcom will also target a further 5% reduction in operating costs.

Core themes

Ofcom's work is organised around seven main themes:

1. Implementing the strategic reviews
2. Opening up markets and encouraging innovation
3. Addressing important citizen and consumer issues
4. International engagement
5. Taking opportunities to reduce regulation
6. Working effectively
7. Understanding future developments

Some projects grouped under these themes will continue through 2006/7. In that year Ofcom will also seek to establish a benchmark for best-practice regulation; in 2007/8 Ofcom will conduct a full evaluation of all of its work to date.

Ofcom Chief Executive Stephen Carter said: "After two years of establishment and early priorities, particularly in broadband and digital broadcasting, this Plan details our work across the communications sector for the next three years."

An overview of Ofcom's planned work for 2005/6 can be found online at:
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/about/accoun/reports_plans/annual_plan0506/section2

The full Annual Plan for 2005/6 can be found online at:
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/about/accoun/reports_plans/annual_plan0506/

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