Ofcom mulls ‘lighter approach’ to regulation

Sharon White

Ofcom’s new CEO Sharon White has said that the UK broadcast regulator will look at whether it can take a lighter approach to regulation in light of changes to the TV and telco markets. 

In an interview with the Financial Times, White said that the internet was “one of the big issues” she will look closely at, and that “we will certainly look at whether there is scope for a lighter approach given the entry of newer players and technology that we wouldn’t have dreamt of a few years ago.”

She also said that convergence – between fixed and mobile telecoms and in the distinction between the traditional telcos and media companies – has started to happen “in a very rapid timeframe”.

White said Ofcom will look to see “if there are ways to promote competition. Are there areas we can deregulate? But with the consumer at the centre of it all.”

Ofcom appointed White to its top job in December. She took up the post in March, joining from the UK Treasury where she was second permanent secretary.