Ofcom has powers to take action if a person ‘persistently misuses an electronic communications network or service'.
We are required to set out a ‘general policy’ on how we are likely to use these powers and to consider this when deciding whether to take enforcement action. The current policy sets out examples of those activities which Ofcom considers to represent ‘persistent misuse’ including the making of silent and abandoned calls. In particular, it describes steps organisations can take to help avoid making these types of calls and to reduce harm to consumers where they do occur.
We are carrying out a review of our policy. The purpose of this call for inputs is to ask for initial views on what, if any, changes should be made to our policy and how it might be improved.
Subject to the responses, Ofcom plans to consult on any proposals for changes to the policy next year. The call for inputs closes on 7 November 2014.
