Communications and broadcasting
Communications technology is affecting how we:
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spend our leisure time,
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shop,
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work,
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bank,
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seek medical care.
It may eventually dictate how we vote.
New technology - changing markets
The technologies
involved are complex. Cost-effective choices are
not always obvious and wrong choices are easy
to make. As communication 'platforms' change, so too
does the content carried.
New services - such as Internet banking - are only available to those with access to the technology. Some goods, services and even job opportunities are only available on the Internet.
These are just some of the changes that have transformed our experience of modern communication. This illustrates how critical this market is for practically everyone.
Access or marginalisation?
In Scotland, the market is particularly critical. Issues around universal service and access to technology are particularly relevant.
Access to an effective communications market is an economic and social lifeline and a necessity if people are to participate in modern society. The irony of the information society is that disadvantaged consumers who cannot afford to access the new technology face further marginalisation.
Postal Services
This also means that effective postal services and a thriving post office network are crucial for people who do not have access to the new technologies.
We keep a watching brief on developments in postal services and post offices, and how they affect consumers. We work with Postwatch Scotland, the consumer organisation for postal services, who deal with consumer complaints about postal services.
Latest News
Response to the Ofcom Review of the Universal Service Obligation: Statement and Further Consultation
The Scottish Consumer Council has issued a warning about proposals that could lead to the removal of public phone boxes from many parts of the country.
Freedom of Access: Research Report on Public Internet Access in Scotland
The report examines how far the policy commitments made by the UK government and the Scottish Executive to achieving universal access to the Internet, either at home or by using a public computer terminal, have become a reality for consumers in Scotland, with a particular focus on those who are disadvantaged. The research was undertaken in three phases with:
- local authorities — as they are key public sector providers of public access to the Internet, we asked local authorities to tell us about their current policies and also how they provided public Internet access services in their area;
- service users — we carried out a “mystery shopper” exercise, asking our volunteer network of consumers to use their local authority service and to tell us about their experiences in doing so;
- the wider public — we commissioned a quantitative survey of the general public to obtain demographic details on both access to the Internet and attitudes to using the Internet.
In addition to obtaining the current picture on access to the Internet, we also wanted to:
- highlight good practice in the provision of public Internet access services;
- identify any barriers that existed and how they could best be dismantled to ensure access for all.
The headline conclusion is that, while local authorities have done much to integrate Internet access into their mainstream service provision, much more needs to be done to promote awareness of these services, to target them to those most in need of them and to disadvantaged groups, and to evaluate service provision from the perspective of the service users.
The evidence is that the people most likely to be aware of and use public Internet access points, and to be confident in using online services, are those who already have it at home i.e. those who are better off in society.
The report makes a series of recommendations with the aim of providing a consumer-focused, practical agenda for policy-makers and service providers to work towards making universal access a reality rather than an aspiration. This includes a checklist for local authorities on how to ensure that public Internet services meet the needs of all groups in the community, and in particular those who are most disadvantaged.
Digital TV Switchover
The UK government is committed to moving wholly to digital TV. However, it is not possible to fully introduce these services and continue broadcasting the current five analogue channels using the terrestrial system. Accordingly it will be necessary at some point during the rollout of these services to switch off the existing analogue transmissions in the switchover process.This is the process of switching off analogue signals in order to introduce digital services (digital switchover). It is currently planned that a phased switchover process will run from 2008 until 2012 and that the region currently served by the Borders TV service will form the first phase.
The Scottish Consumer Council will be working with stakeholders with the aim of identifying the issues for consumers that require to be addressed in digital switchover so that they recognise the benefits and are protected from the risks. This is our Digital Diary project.
Links
National Consumer Council work on communications
www.postwatch.co.uk
Postwatch is the consumer council
for postal services
www.ofcom.org.uk/
Ofcom is the regulator for the UK communications industries, with responsibilities
across television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications services.
www.ofcomconsumerpanel.org
The Ofcom consumer panel’s
role is to understand and respond to the interests and concerns
of consumers in the communications market place.
Otelo is the telecommunications ombudsman service. It provides a free and independent service, resolving complaints between consumers and telecom companies.
www.asa.org.uk
The Advertising Standards Authority(ASA) investigates complaints
about all forms of advertising.
The government's digital television website.
The independent body that will lead the switchover to digital TV.
Contact
Our Policy Manager for Communications and Broadcasting is Trisha McAuley.
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