Ofcom Reviews UK Telecom

The importance of telecommunications to the UK economy, and the extent to which the sector benefits from competition, including the fixed, mobile, narrowband and broadband markets.

The extent to which competition and/or regulation has delivered the goals of lower prices, higher quality of service and wider choice for service providers and consumers.

UK consumers' perspectives on those markets, including the value they place on different products and services. The Review will examine this in the context of the experience of consumers in other countries. It will also seek comparisons with the range of products and services offered to UK consumers by companies in sectors other than telecommunications.

Investment and innovation trends in the industry and the significance of emerging technologies as a driver of new opportunities for service providers and consumers.

The scope for effective competition at all levels in the telecommunications markets and the extent to which that competition is likely to be sustainable in the foreseeable future.

PHASE 1 - Assessment and prospects in the telecommunications sector. This phase will explore the extent of competition in key markets, the effectiveness of regulation, investment and innovation trends and the prospects for the sector in the future.

PHASE 2 - Options for Ofcom's strategic approach to telecommunications regulation, including identifying options to withdraw from regulation and alternative approaches to regulation.

PHASE 3 - Ofcom's strategic regulatory framework. This third and final phase will set out the key challenges to competition in the sector and Ofcom's response to those challenges. It will include details of Ofcom's regulatory approach to the sector in future, together with a plan for the implementation of any changes required.