Ofcom, the communications regulator in UK is planning to deregulate the television and telecom industry. This is to revive them according to the radical shifts in the viewership behavior over the past decade, said Sharon White, Head, Ofcom in an interview to Financial Times.
Ofcom has begun a communications review of past decade and found internet to be a major concern to deal with. The media regulator examines the extent to which internet has created an impact on the British media and telecom market.
Developments, such as a British telecommunications company BT’s focus into sports broadcasting and prominence of Sky in broadband sector are few reasons behind this sudden review. BT had recently acquired Openreach, the national fixed line network.
“Convergence has started to happen in a very rapid timeframe, be it fixed and mobile [telecoms] or the blurring [of] the distinctions between the traditional telco and traditional media company,” said Ms. Sharon.
Pay-TV market will also be scrutinized, as the market has shown a considerable development after the arrival of video streaming services like Netflix.
OfCom may create many alterations in its regulation aspects, as the organization has recently come under a new leadership. Ms. White, who is the first female Head of the media regulator recently joined after the challenges that came due to its shift to digital platforms.
