Ofcom has today published its Plan of Work for 2021/22, outlining our priorities for the next twelve months.
High-quality, reliable communications services have been more important than ever throughout the past year. These services will continue to be an essential part of people’s lives as the UK emerges from the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, and for years to come.
Following consultation, which included a series of public events, we have today set out our strategic priorities for the coming year.
Ofcom’s strategic priorities for 2021/2022
- Investment in strong, secure networks. Supporting ongoing investment in faster broadband and better quality mobile networks. This includes working with industry to make sure the UK’s vital communications networks are safe, secure and resilient.
- Getting everyone connected. Working to make sure people and businesses can access key communications services - including in the hardest-to-reach locations. This includes monitoring delivery of the universal broadband service and the Shared Rural Network. We will also work to make sure the universal postal service is sustainable for the future.
- Fairness for customers. Continuing our work to make sure broadband, phone and pay-TV customers – particularly those who are vulnerable – can shop around with confidence, switch easily and are treated fairly.
- Supporting and developing UK broadcasting. Supporting the UK’s vibrant media sector, including public service broadcasting, and helping it to meet the changing needs of viewers and listeners. We will also continue to monitor and report on the BBC’s performance.
- Preparing to regulate online harms. We will regulate UK-established video-sharing platforms. The UK Government has confirmed it intends to appoint Ofcom as the regulator for online harms and we are preparing for this planned new role.
We will also take steps to ensure we are well positioned to carry out our duties both now and in the future. This includes:
- Strengthening Ofcom for the future. As our sectors and our duties are increasingly shaped by online services, we will evolve our skills, develop innovative working practices and build a diverse workforce that reflects the whole of the UK.
- Developing new partnerships. We will develop new – and build on existing – domestic and international partnerships with regulators, academia, governments, industry and organisations across sectors we regulate.
The plan of work also includes our work programme for the next year, which explains the key activities we will be undertaking over the next twelve months across all of our work.