Ofcom has initiated a consultation following changes introduced by the Media Act 2024 to commercial radio regulation. The Act establishes a new pathway for renewing local analogue commercial licences, allowing renewal applications when a 'suitable' DAB multiplex is unavailable. Ofcom is seeking input on their proposed criteria for determining multiplex suitability under this New Renewal Route. The regulator invites stakeholders to comment on their proposals and suggest additional factors for consideration in assessing multiplex suitability for licensees' needs. The consultation closes at 5pm on 5 February 2025.

Ofcom has launched a consultation on recommendations for promoting media literacy across online platforms, broadcasters, and digital services. The aim is to empower the public with the skills and information necessary to engage with digital content in a critical and safe manner. The recommendations focus on four key areas: (1) service design, (2) user empowerment, (3) critical engagement and (4) continuous evaluation. While these recommendations are not mandatory, they embody Ofcom's vision of good practice for services of various sizes and reaches.

Ofcom has launched a consultation on proposals that would allow mobile networks and Wi-Fi services to share parts of the 6 GHz spectrum band, which it says could support improved connectivity, innovation and economic growth. Ofcom states that the measures are intended to increase capacity for both mobile and Wi-Fi services, help mobile operators maintain connectivity in high-demand locations, and support bandwidth-intensive applications such as virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI). The consultation closes on 20 March 2026.

Ofcom has launched a consultation on the proposed Wireless Telegraphy (Exemption) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, which would update the Wireless Telegraphy (Exemption) Regulations 2003, SI 2003/74 to exempt certain mobile terminal equipment—such as smartphones, tablets, and wearable devices—from the need for a wireless telegraphy licence under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006. The draft regulations implement Ofcom’s policy decisions to extend licence exemptions to new frequency bands, including 700 MHz, 2.3 GHz, 3.8–4.2 GHz, 26 GHz, and 40 GHz, and to recognise 5G New Radio technology, while also making minor editorial updates and replacing outdated references. These changes aim to ensure efficient spectrum use, reduce regulatory burden, and support innovation without increasing interference risks. The consultation closes on 28 November 2025.

Ofcom has launched a consultation proposing new regulatory measures to combat mobile messaging scams, targeting both person-to-person (P2P) and application-to-person (A2P) channels. Despite operators blocking approximately 600 million scam messages annually, Ofcom found persistent harms due to inconsistent industry measures. Key proposals include mandatory volume limits on PAYG SIMs, automated blocking of scam messages and URLs, and enhanced due diligence through Know Your Customer (KYC) and Know Your Traffic (KYT) checks. Ofcom also recommends incident management protocols, sender ID validation, and contractual enforcement across the messaging supply chain. Cross-cutting safeguards—such as the right to challenge blocked messages, staff training, and data protection compliance—are designed to ensure proportionality under human rights and privacy laws. The consultation closes on 28 January 2026.

Ofcom has launched a consultation proposing amendments to the Wireless Telegraphy (Direct to Device Satellite Communications) (Exemption) Regulations 2026, SI 2026/139, following its February 2026 regulations, previously reported, which introduced a licence exemption for mobile handsets and other SIM-enabled devices to access authorised direct-to-device (D2D) satellite services without individual licences under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006. This consultation closes on 18 May 2026.

Ofcom has launched a consultation on protecting children from illegal harms online, the second major consultation by Ofcom to establish the new online safety regulations. This consultation seeks views on Ofcom’s draft Children’s Safety Codes of Practice ie its proposals for how internet services enabling the sharing of user-generated content (user-to-user services) and search services should approach their new duties in relation to harmful content and children. The consultation covers how to assess if a service is likely to be accessed by children, the causes and impacts of harms to children and how services should assess and mitigate the risks of harms to children. The deadline for response is 17 July 2024.

The Office of Communications (Ofcom) published a consultation paper on 25 March 2025 proposing new spectrum licensing arrangements to enable direct satellite-to-phone services in the UK. The consultation outlines three potential authorisation approaches, with Ofcom's preferred option being amendments to existing mobile operator licences. The proposals would make the UK the first European jurisdiction to establish a regulatory framework for commercial satellite-to-phone services. The consultation closes on 20 May 2025, with implementation possible later in 2025 subject to feedback.

Ofcom has launched a consultation on updates to wireless telegraphy licence exemptions, including proposals to exempt additional wireless telegraphy equipment and amend the technical conditions for existing licence exemptions. Key proposals include new exemptions for various short range devices, ultra-wideband equipment, and autonomous maritime radio devices. Ofcom also proposes to amend the existing exemption for mobile communications onboard aircraft and vessels to enable the use of 5G terminals. Additionally, Ofcom seeks to introduce new exemptions for coastal station radio training schools, expand the spectrum ceiling for testing and development under suppressed radiation conditions from 960 MHz to 275 GHz, for the short-term use of radio amateur equipment, and 5.8 GHz fixed wireless access equipment. The consultation closes on 28 March 2025.

Ofcom has launched a consultation paper outlining proposed regulations for wholesale call termination markets from 2026—2031. The proposals maintain current price caps at 0.0365p per minute for landlines and 0.487p per minute for mobile and 070 calls, rather than implementing inflation-linked increases. The consultation also proposes removing BT's End-to-End Connectivity Condition, citing market evolution. The consultation closes on 10 October 2025.

Ofcom has launched an enforcement programme requiring online service providers to submit records of their children's risk assessments by 7 August 2025. This action follows the publication of children's safety codes of practice on 24 April 2025, which gave providers three months under the Online Safety Act to complete their assessments. Providers must submit complete and accurate responses to Ofcom’s information requests or risk facing potential investigations. This programme mirrors a similar initiative from March 2025 that focused on illegal harms risk assessments.

Ofcom has launched an industry engagement exercise on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in cyber defence across critical communications networks and services. Ofcom plans to hold a series of discussions with industry, technical experts and vendors during autumn 2026 to explore the opportunities and challenges associated with AI-enabled cyber security tools, including trust, assurance, accountability and compliance with existing cyber security requirements. The engagement will also consider whether existing regulatory frameworks contain unintended or perceived barriers to adopting technologies that could improve security and resilience, and how emerging AI technologies interact with existing cyber security principles and regulatory requirements. The findings are expected to be published in early 2027.