PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Broadcasting: Competition (18 July 2022)

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has asked Ofcom to set out what it considers to be the relationship between its current review of net neutrality guidelines and the plans set out in the Broadcasting White Paper to carry out a future review on market changes that may affect the future of content distribution.

Asked by:
Dame Siobhain McDonagh (Labour)

In September 2021, Ofcom launched a review of how its net neutrality guidelines are functioning, noting that there have been significant changes since the rules were first introduced. The review takes into account the views of a variety of stakeholders, including broadcasters and content distributors, with a consultation on proposals expected later this year. We look forward to their findings.

The Government recognises that the future of digital and telecoms infrastructure in the UK, including issues around net neutrality, is linked to the future of TV distribution. In the Broadcasting White Paper, the government reaffirmed its commitment to the future of the Digital Terrestrial Television platform (Freeview) at least until the early 2030s. It also stated that before the end of 2025, it will ask Ofcom to undertake a review on market changes that may affect the future of content distribution before the end of 2025. Next steps will be set out in due course.

Answered by:
Matt Warman (Conservative)
25 July 2022