The Communications Consumer Panel is an independent UK body that works to protect and promote people’s interests in the communications sector. Consisting of eight independent experts, the Panel carries out research, provides advice and encourages

Ofcom The Office of Communications, commonly known as Ofcom, is the government-approved regulatory and competition authority for the broadcasting, telecommunications and postal industries of the United Kingdom. Ofcom has wide-ranging powers acros ...

, the

UK Government ga, Rialtas a Shoilse gd, Riaghaltas a Mhòrachd , image = HM Government logo.svg , image_size = 220px , image2 = Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom (HM Government).svg , image_size2 = 180px , caption = Royal Arms , date_es ...

, the

European Union The European Union (EU) is a supranational political and economic union of member states that are located primarily in Europe. The union has a total area of and an estimated total population of about 447million. The EU has often been des ...

, communications industry and others to look at issues through the eyes of

consumer A consumer is a person or a group who intends to order, or uses purchased goods, products, or services primarily for personal, social, family, household and similar needs, who is not directly related to entrepreneurial or business activities. T ...

citizens Citizenship is a "relationship between an individual and a state to which the individual owes allegiance and in turn is entitled to its protection". Each state determines the conditions under which it will recognize persons as its citizens, and ...

and

small business Small businesses are types of corporations, partnerships, or sole proprietorships which have fewer employees and/or less annual revenue than a regular-sized business or corporation. Businesses are defined as "small" in terms of being able to ap ...

es.

History

The Panel was established by the

Communications Act 2003 The Communications Act 2003 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The act, which came into force on 25 July 2003, superseded the Telecommunications Act 1984. The new act was the responsibility of Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell. It ...

as the independent, policy advisory body on consumer interests in the telecommunications, broadcasting and spectrum markets (with the exception of content issues).

Objective

The Panel’s objective is to: ''“protect and promote the interests of consumers, citizens and small businesses in the communications sector by giving advice to Ofcom, the EU, Government, industry and others.”''

Relationship with Ofcom

The Panel is often described as a ‘critical friend’ to regulatory authority Ofcom. Ofcom shares information and ideas with the Panel early in the regulatory process, before consulting formally with other stakeholders. In 2015, the Panel worked closely with Ofcom on the regulator's UK Calling campaign, helping ensure that the campaign was clear and easy to understand.{{cite web , url=https://www.ukcalling.info/about , title=About UK Calling , publisher=Ofcom , accessdate=18 August 2015

References

External links

Communications Consumer Panel website
Telecommunications organisations in the United Kingdom