Get Carter, say Ofcom chiefs

Former NTL UK managing director Stephen Carter has been appointed chief executive at telecoms and media regulator the Office of Communications (Ofcom).

Ofcom will be the overall regulatory body which will take over the responsibilities of Oftel, the Radiocommunications Agency, the Broadcasting Standards Commission, the Radio Authority and the Independent Television Commission. Carter will take charge on 1 March.

At Ofcom, Carter will play a crucial role in setting policy for broadcasting and telecoms, including continuing concerns about BT's dominance in the telecoms area, especially regarding the roll out of broadband.

He told a Joint Committee on the Draft Communications Bill in June 2002 that the challenge for Ofcom is to create balance and make the UK "a dynamic and competitive environment for modern communications industries".

Carter said that an effective Ofcom is critical for all media and communications businesses, and that the opportunity to head up the organisation was "irresistible".

He emerged from the pack of candidates for the position earlier this month as Ofcom chairman Lord Currie was thought to favour a candidate with a background in business and media.

When Carter quit NTL he was also linked with the chief executive job at publishing company Emap and with broadcaster Channel 5.

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