Asked by: Peter Luff (Conservative - Mid Worcestershire)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the validity of mobile network operators' requirement for access to an increased quantity of radio spectrum; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
The 4G auction in 2013 has increased the amount of spectrum available to the mobile network operators (MNOs) for delivering next generation mobile services. The 4G rollout is underway and will ensure the UK continues to have some of the best mobile services in Europe.
The Department has not made any direct assessment of mobile network operators’ (MNOs) spectrum requirements or the technical characteristics of their network deployments. Ofcom published their Mobile Data Strategy consultation on 21 November 2013, which examines consumer demand for mobile data services and how this could be met, including MNOs’ spectrum requirements. The consultation document and responses can be found on Ofcom’s website:
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/mobile-data-strategy/
Ofcom has since published a further statement on their Mobile Data Strategy:
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/mobile-data-strategy/statement/
The Department does not directly monitor the operations of the MNOs or the technical characteristics of their network deployments. Ofcom does however undertake certain monitoring functions including monitoring of coverage, service quality and ensuring MNOs comply with any obligations included in their spectrum licences.
Asked by: Peter Luff (Conservative - Mid Worcestershire)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, for what reason his Department did not identify an alternative spectrum for use by the programme making and special events sector before the proposals to withdraw this sector's access to the 700 MHz band of radio spectrum; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
Ofcom published a consultation on the future use of the 700 MHz band on 28 May 2014. This consultation assesses the impact any loss of access to the 700 MHz band would have on the PMSE community. Ofcom will ensure the views and spectrum requirements of the PMSE community are taken into account when making any final decisions on the use of the band. The consultation document and responses can be found on Ofcom’s website:
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/700MHz/
Ofcom is working with the PMSE community of users and manufacturers to mitigate the impact of any change of use of the 700 MHz band; and discussing with the regulatory authorities in other countries their approach to this issue. A key focus of their work in this area is seeking to identify and make available alternative spectrum for the PMSE community.
Asked by: Peter Luff (Conservative - Mid Worcestershire)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate he has made of the costs likely to be incurred by the programme making and special effects sector through having to complete research and development into new equipment of the re-allocation of the 700 MHz band; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
Ofcom published a consultation on the future use of the 700 MHz band on 28 May 2014. This consultation assesses the impact any loss of access to the 700 MHz band would have on the PMSE community. Ofcom will ensure the views and spectrum requirements of the PMSE community are taken into account when making any final decisions on the use of the band. The consultation document and responses can be found on Ofcom’s website:
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/700MHz/
Ofcom is working with the PMSE community of users and manufacturers to mitigate the impact of any change of use of the 700 MHz band; and discussing with the regulatory authorities in other countries their approach to this issue. A key focus of their work in this area is seeking to identify and make available alternative spectrum for the PMSE community.
Asked by: Peter Luff (Conservative - Mid Worcestershire)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment Ofcom has made of the reasons for disputes between service providers and Openreach over (a) the provision of telephone and broadband services and (b) the service provided to James and Susan Love of Aldington, Worcestershire.
Answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot
Ofcom has recently completed a review of Openreach quality of service and has establish new rules to bring about faster line repairs and installations for telephone and broadband customers.
The new regulations which came into effect on 1st July, will ensure that the majority of phone and broadband faults will have to be repaired within two working days, while most customers requiring a new line must receive an appointment within 12 working days. Should Openreach fail to meet the new standards, the company will face sanctions from Ofcom, which could include fines. Openreach will also be required to report publicly on its performance quarterly from October 2014.
Ofcom does not handle individual consumer complaints, for which an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process is provided.