Ofcom outline their priorities for 2021/22 and you can air your views

Their workplan is accompanied by a consultation focused on 11 questions and online briefing events.

This year has highlighted the importance of communications services. Ofcom recognise and respond to this in their proposed 2021/22 workplan.

The document was published today and the priorities within it can be broken down into five areas:
- Investment in strong, secure networks. For example, supporting ongoing investment in broadband and mobile networks.
- Getting everyone connected. Includes ensuring those in the hardest to reach locations have good connectivity.
- Fairness for customers. Encompasses broadband, phone and TV customers.
- Supporting and developing UK broadcasting. Such as by helping the UK media sector meet the changing needs of viewers and listeners.
- Preparing to regulate online harms. Includes completing the introduction of the new video-sharing platform regulations alongside preparing to regulate online harms. 

They will also be taking steps to ensure that they can carry out their evolving duties:
- Strengthening Ofcom for the future. As their sectors and duties are increasingly shaped by online activities Ofcom want to ensure they are prepared, such as via evolving their skills.  
- Developing new partnerships. Includes building on existing relationships with domestic and international stakeholders including industry. 

This document comes only a few months after they published an update on their outputs and milestones for 2020/21.

Accompanying Consultation

The accompanying consultation response form contains 11 questions (the reponse form has been updated as it previously contained just one question). 

If you do please respond using this form by 5pm on 5 February 2021. If are a techUK member and would like to be involved in our relevant activities please get in touch. 

Accompanying Events

In addition to the consultation to engage stakeholders Ofcom are running a series of virtual events to discuss their priorities for 2021/22. 

Ofcom will consider all views provided through either the formal consultation or these virtual events, ahead of publishing the final plan of work in March 2021.

UK wide event details: Wednesday 20 January 2021, 10:00-11:30, register HERE

Events are also taking place in each of the nations, you can find out more here.

Sophie Greaves

Sophie Greaves

Head of Telecoms and Spectrum Policy, techUK

Sophie Greaves is Head of Programme for Communications Infrastructure and Services at techUK, and oversees the UK Spectrum Policy Forum.

Sophie was promoted to Head having been Programme Manager for Communications Infrastructure and Services, leading techUK's telecoms activities, engagement and policy development. Previously, Sophie was Programme Assistant across a variety of areas including the Broadband Stakeholder Group, Central Government, Financial Services and Communications Infrastructure programmes.

Prior to joining techUK, Sophie completed a masters in Film Studies at University College London; her dissertation examined US telecoms policy relating to net neutrality and content distribution.

Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
020 7331 2038
Twitter:
@SJMJames1
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiegreaves/

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Mia Haffety

Mia Haffety

Programme Manager - Telecoms and Net Zero, techUK

Mia joined techUK in September 2023 as the Programme Manager for telecoms and net zero.

Sitting across two teams, Mia works to ensure that policy and regulatory conditions promote investment and innovation in the telecoms sector. And, that policy enables technology and digital solutions to deliver net zero ambitions.

Prior to joining techUK, Mia worked as a Senior Policy Adviser at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) leading on manufacturing and industrial decarbonisation policy.

Mia holds an MSc in International Development from the University of Manchester and a BA(Hons) in Politics and International Relations from the University of Nottingham.

Outside of work, Mia enjoys travelling, running, and cooking.

Email:
[email protected]
Twitter:
@MiaHaffety,
Website:
www.techuk.org
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/miahaffety/

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Tales Gaspar

Tales Gaspar

Programme Manager, UK SPF and Satellite, techUK

Tales has a background in law and economics, with previous experience in the regulation of new technologies and infrastructure.

In the UK and Europe, he offered consultancy on intellectual property rights of cellular and IoT technologies and on the regulatory procedures at the ITU as a Global Fellow at the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI).

Tales has an LL.M in Law and Business by the Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV) and an MSc in Regulation at the London School of Economics, with a specialization in Government and Law.

Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
+44 (0) 0207 331 2000
Website:
www.techUK.org
LinkedIn:
www.linkedin.com/in/talesngaspar

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Matthew Wild

Programme Assistant - Markets, techUK

Matthew joined techUK in August 2023 as a Programme Assistant, supporting the Communications Infrastructure programme, as well as the Digital Connectivity and Spectrum Policy Fora.

Before joining techUK, Matthew worked in marketing, data, and events across a number of sectors, including education and consumer goods. He studied German and Dutch at University College London and the Universiteit van Amsterdam.

Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
020 7331 2000

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