Ofcom panel tackles broadband and VoIP

Ofcom's new Consumer Panel is to focus its attention on broadband, Voice over IP (VoIP) and the switch to digital television.

The panel, which advises new communications watchdog Ofcom, will also look at spectrum availability and consumer access issues arising from the Ofcom Public Service Broadcasting Review.

Colette Bowe, chairman of the panel, said in a statement: "We will be basing our advice to Ofcom on evidence reflecting people's real-life experience of everything in the communications marketplace, from mobile phones to digital television.

"Ahead of getting results from the big consumer research programme we are embarking on, we have decided to concentrate at this stage on a number of topics that we believe will be important for consumers."

The panel's advice to Ofcom will be based on evidence and research. To achieve this it will develop a major programme of research that looks at consumer concerns and the level of consumer information available in the marketplace.

The first public report is due to be published in July. More information on the Consumer Panel can be found here.