Ofcom has launched its Plan of Work for 2025/26, together with its Three-Year Plan for 2025-2028.

Plan of Work 2025/26

We previously commented on Ofcom’s consultation on its Plan of Work here. The final version builds on much that was included in that consultation, including Ofcom’s focus on four areas in particular:

1. Internet and post we can rely on

In its mission to “protect the interests of consumers and enable everyone to access fast and reliable networks and services”, Ofcom’s list of key projects and programmes in the year ahead include:

• Publication of its decision on the new regulatory framework from April 2026-March 2031 as part of its Telecoms Access Review;
• Reviews into the ‘Wholesale Voice Markets’ (assessing the regulation of “call termination that supports the provision of landline and mobile telephone services in the UK”) and the ‘Wholesale A2P SMS Termination’ (considering bulk ‘Application-to-Person’ SMS messages such as hospital appointment reminders and delivery notifications);
• Starting a programme of work to promote competition and investment in the mobile market, working with “relevant stakeholders to help address areas where the market is not currently delivering the mobile infrastructure the country needs”;
• Monitoring communications providers’ compliance with the new telecoms security framework, and preparing for the introduction of increased responsibilities under the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill.
• Reviewing the postal universal service obligation, and continuing its work on “proposals for reform of the universal postal service and quality of service standards, and related changes to access obligations, with the aim of publishing a decision in Q2 2025/26”.

2. Media we trust and value

Much of Ofcom’s work in this area will be concentrated on implementing the Media Act 2024 (on which we have commented here), including:

• Finalising guidance on Public Service Broadcasters’ (PSBs) statements of programme policy (SoPPs) and commissioning from independent producers, and setting out its revised approach to quotas;
• Consulting on proposals for implementing the Media Act’s changes to the Listed Events regime;
• Submitting advice to the Secretary of State about which TV platforms should be subject to regulation, and consulting on a code of practice and guidance for platforms and PSBs about how to comply with the new availability and relevance regime;
• Preparing a report on the operation of the Video-on-Demand market in the UK and consulting on a new content standard for Tier 1 VoD services;
• Publishing a statement on new local news and information requirements for analogue commercial radio.

3. We live a safer life online

Ofcom will continue its work in implementing the new online safety regime following the passage of the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA). Over the next year, it commits itself to, among other things:

• Enforcing the Illegal Harms Code of Practice and the Protection of Children Code of Practice (once it comes into force), and consulting on additional measures to protect users;
• Working with all service providers in scope of the OSA to understand their new duties and obligations;
• Beginning work on establishing the rules for categorised services following completion of the register (expected to be in summer this year), and publishing draft Codes of Practice and guidance on additional duties on categorised services in early 2026.

4. Enabling wireless in the UK economy

Ofcom’s stated priority is to see that “spectrum remains an effective enabler for wireless communication for all people, businesses, and sectors. We seek to ensure that spectrum continues to support the growing demand for a variety of services, enable innovation and, importantly, aid economic growth”.

To achieve this, it will represent the UK at the World Radiocommunication Conference and “encourage greater sharing between different users and wireless technologies; ensure sufficient spectrum and adequate protection of space science services; and improve the satellite regulatory framework that supports innovation and growth of the sector”. It also intends to consult on making more spectrum available to support increased capacity for satellite services through access to Q/V and E band for satellite gateways and additional access to Ku and Ka band for satellite terminals on ships and planes.

To read the Plan of Work, click here.

Three-Year Plan

Ofcom’s Three-Year Plan repeats many of the same commitments in the Plan of Work. Looking further ahead, it includes a table setting out planned phases of its key projects and programmes, including: final decisions being published in 2026 relating to the second half of Ofcom’s ten-year strategy to promote competition and investment in gigabit-capable broadband; conducting a periodic review of how the BBC is fulfilling its Mission and Public Purposes ahead of the Government’s Charter Review process; and completing its work on the mmWave, 1.4 GHz bands, and the initial release of the upper 6 GHz band.

To read the Three-Year Plan, click here.