The Communications Market 2019 - Ofcom

About Ofcom

Ofcom is the regulator for the communications services that we use and rely on each day.

Internet-based services

As people communicate seamlessly online and offline, we now need to invest our efforts into making digital communications work for everyone

Media use and attitudes

Ofcom wants to understand how adults and children in the UK use media.

Online safety

Under the Online Safety Act, Ofcom's job is to make online services safer for the people who use them. We make sure companies have effective systems in place to protect users from harm.

Phones and broadband

Ofcom is committed to a thriving telecoms sector, where companies can compete fairly and customers benefit from a broad range of services.

Post

Ofcom's job is to make sure there is a universal postal service.

Spectrum

You can't see or feel radio spectrum, but we use it every day. Our job is to authorise and manage the use of spectrum in the UK.

TV, radio and on-demand

We make sure that broadcasters provide quality TV, radio and on-demand programmes that appeal to diverse audiences. We also have rules in place to protect viewers and listeners from harm.
Advice for businesses

How to make the most of communications services as a small business.

Advice for consumers

How to make the most of the services you use, and deal with problems.

Consultations and statements

Proposals we are consulting on and decisions we've made.

Enforcement

How we make sure companies follow our rules, to protect customers and promote competition.

Information for industry

Rules, guidance and other information for the industries we regulate.

Licence information

If you're looking to use certain radio equipment, or broadcast on TV or radio, you'll need a licence from Ofcom.

News and updates

Our latest news, features, views and information about our work.

Research, statistics and data

Evidence we gather to inform our work as a regulator.
Complaints
- Ofcom may be able to help you complain about or report issues relating to: phone, broadband and postal services; TV, radio and on-demand programmes; interference to wireless devices; or something you have seen on an online service, website or app.
- The types of complaint we deal with
- Get in touch by phone or post
Licences
- You need a licence from Ofcom if you’re looking to use certain radio equipment (like amateur or ships radio), or broadcast on TV or radio.
- Help with your spectrum licence
- Help with your broadcast licence

Cymraeg

Phones and broadband Service quality Research, statistics and data Communications Market Reports

Published: 4 July 2019

This year marks a significant change in the format of the Communications Market Report (CMR).

The CMR is now an interactive data portal, which allows users to interrogate data collected from industry by Ofcom, data from Ofcom’s consumer research, as well as headline figures from selected third parties (including BARB and RAJAR). The interactive portal will be updated throughout the year.

Commentary and analysis of much of the data used in the CMR can be found in each of our Media Nations, Online Nation, Connected Nations, and Annual Monitoring Update on the Postal Market reports, where we review and explore specific sectors of the media and communications markets in detail.

We have also published a short summary of our main findings.

Communications Market Report 2019 – summary of key findings (PDF, 203.5 KB)

Data downloads

Summary of UK telecoms metrics (CSV, 22.5 KB)

Number of hours broadcast by public television broadcasters (CSV, 64.5 KB)

Commercial broadcast television revenues and spend (CSV, 155.3 KB)

Number of commercial radio services broadcasting (CSV, 1.0 KB)

Commercial radio revenues (CSV, 4.3 KB)

Community radio revenues and expenses (CSV, 98.3 KB)

Related content

Media Nations 2018

The report reviews key trends in the television and audiovisual sector as well as the radio and audio sector.

Online Nation

Online Nation is an annual report that looks at what people are doing online, how they are served by online content providers and platforms, and their attitudes to and experiences of using the internet.

Connected Nations and infrastructure reports

Reports on the UK’s communications infrastructure, focusing on coverage and performance of fixed broadband and mobile networks.

Annual monitoring report on the postal market

We monitor the postal market in the UK, looking at things like Royal Mail's performance and customers' experiences.