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, internet, telecommunications and mail, postal industries of the United Kingdom. Ofcom has wide-rang ...

, the

UK Government His Majesty's Government, abbreviated to HM Government or otherwise UK Government, is the central government, central executive authority of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

, the

European Union The European Union (EU) is a supranational union, supranational political union, political and economic union of Member state of the European Union, member states that are Geography of the European Union, located primarily in Europe. The u ...

, 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 use purchased goods, products, or services primarily for personal, social, family, household and similar needs, who is not directly related to entrepreneurial or business activities. ...

citizens Citizenship is a membership and allegiance to a sovereign state. Though citizenship is often conflated with nationality in today's English-speaking world, international law does not usually use the term ''citizenship'' to refer to nationality; ...

and

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

es.

History

The Panel was established by the Communications Act 2003 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