UK ISPs Fear Ofcom May Seek To Regulate Video Content

by Robin Pilgrim, LawAndTax-News.com, London

31 January 2005

The UK's Internet Service Providers Association (ISPA) has expressed concern over remarks made by Ofcom officials which seem to suggest that the communications regulator is looking to expand its remit to encompass the provision of TV over broadband.

In a speech delivered recently at a ceremony to mark the 10th anniversary of the creation of London Internet Exchange, Ofcom's communication director, Matt Peacock observed that:

"The Communications Act rightly excluded internet control from Ofcom's remit, and made a clear distinction between TV and the internet. Over time, that distinction will be washed away."

Ofcom fears that as broadband uptake in the United Kingdom picks up speed, more and more households will take advantage of video on demand services, a development which would seriously undermine the watershed arrangement imposed on traditional broadcasters in order to protect children from unsuitable content.

Speaking at the ISPA's parliamentary advisory forum last Wednesday, Ofcom chairman, Lord Currie seemed to confirm the rumours, observing that self-regulation by ISPs "may not be the answer".

He went on to add:

"We need an honest debate on whether content, including internet content, should be regulated in a more converged way."

According to reports, ISPA secretary general, Nicholas Lansman countered by arguing that ISPs should not be made responsible for the content viewed by their subscribers.

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