By: MarkJ - 8 December, 2011 (1:34 PM) - Score: 6200 - Ofcom Regulation

Communications regulator Ofcom UK has today published its Draft Annual Plan 2012/13 (PDF) and opened it up for wider public and industry consultation. As usual the plan is fairly general and doesn't mention anything that we haven't already covered before.

Ofcom's Annual Plan Priorities 2012/13

* Promote effective and sustainable competition.

This includes promoting investment and competition in super-fast broadband as well as ensuring effective competition in the business connectivity and landline markets.

* Promote the efficient use of public assets.

This includes the release of prime chunks of spectrum and safeguarding the necessary frequencies for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

* Help communications markets work for consumers.

This includes ensuring all communications providers supply clear information so that broadband customers can make informed choices and enable consumers to switch providers easily. Other work will also include securing the universal postal service and determining the needs of postal users, as well as assessing the provision of communications services in each of the UK nations.

* Provide appropriate assurance to audiences on standards.

This includes carrying out a review of regulation of video on demand and considering future approaches to content regulation.

* Contribute to and implement public policy defined by Parliament.

This includes advising the Government on measuring media plurality, contributing to the Leveson Inquiry and implementing the provisions around online copyright infringement. It also includes working with the Government in promoting widespread super-fast broadband and reducing mobile not-spots in the UK.

Ofcom is also holding public consultation events on its draft Annual Plan across the UK (click here for details). The consultation closes on 17th February 2012 and a final plan is expected to surface in April 2012.