How Ofcom Plans to Tackle Big Tech and Transform Digital Markets

Ofcom Updates Digital Markets Strategy: Key Focus Areas and Developments

Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, has unveiled an update to its Digital Markets Strategy, highlighting new areas of focus and recent advancements in digital regulation.

This update reflects Ofcom’s ongoing commitment to addressing the challenges posed by the dynamic nature of digital markets and ensuring fair competition and consumer protection in the evolving digital ecosystem.

Key Developments in Digital Regulation

The regulator’s recent update builds on its efforts to adapt regulatory frameworks to keep pace with technological advancements and market trends. Notably, Ofcom has concluded a comprehensive market study on cloud services under the Enterprise Act 2002.

The study scrutinised the competitive dynamics of the cloud services market, an essential pillar of the modern digital economy. The findings underscore the critical role cloud infrastructure providers play in shaping the broader digital landscape and have informed Ofcom’s strategic priorities moving forward.

In addition, Ofcom has examined the role of connected TV platforms as digital content gateways. With the proliferation of smart TVs and connected devices, these platforms are increasingly central to how audiences access and interact with digital content.

Ofcom’s scrutiny of this sector reflects its recognition of the growing influence of connected TV platforms in shaping consumer choices and their potential impact on content providers.

Collaboration with the CMA

The passage of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 has ushered in a new era of digital regulation in the UK. Ofcom has committed to close coordination with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to ensure a cohesive regulatory approach.

This partnership aims to harmonise efforts in addressing anti-competitive practices, fostering innovation, and protecting consumer interests across digital markets.

One of the key objectives of this collaboration is to address the challenges posed by large digital firms, whose market dominance can have far-reaching implications for competition and consumer choice.

By leveraging the expertise of both regulators, the UK aims to create a robust regulatory framework that can effectively respond to the complexities of digital markets.

Digital markets, communications and media: update to Ofcom’s areas of focus

This document sets out our updated areas of focus under our Digital Markets Strategy. It sets out how we will continue to support competition and the best outcomes for customers and businesses when considering the impact of digital markets on communications and media sectors in the UK.

www.ofcom.org.uk

Updated Focus Areas

Ofcom’s updated strategy outlines several key areas of focus, reflecting the evolving nature of digital markets:

1. Impact of Large Digital Firms on Mobile Broadband: With mobile broadband becoming a critical component of the digital economy, Ofcom is examining how the actions of large digital firms influence the availability, quality, and affordability of mobile broadband services. This includes assessing potential anti-competitive behaviours and their implications for network operators and consumers.
2. Search and Social Media Platforms and Publishers: The evolving relationships between search engines, social media platforms, and content publishers are another area of focus. Ofcom aims to understand how these interactions affect the distribution of digital content, the sustainability of journalism, and the diversity of online information.
3. Connected TV Platforms and Prominence Rules: Ofcom has announced its intention to implement new prominence rules for connected TV platforms under the Media Act 2024. These rules are designed to ensure that public service content remains easily accessible to audiences in an increasingly fragmented digital landscape. This initiative clarifies Ofcom’s commitment to safeguarding the availability and visibility of high-quality, trusted content in the digital age.

Proactive Monitoring and Intervention

As part of its updated strategy, Ofcom has pledged to maintain vigilant monitoring of developments in digital services that may impact regulated markets. This includes identifying emerging risks to competition and consumer welfare and intervening where necessary to protect the interests of customers and businesses.

For example, if new technologies or business practices emerge that threaten fair competition or undermine consumer protections, Ofcom will act decisively to address these challenges. This proactive approach aims to foster a competitive and vibrant digital economy that benefits all stakeholders.