Pay TV, including broadband service IPTV, offers "significant benefits" for consumers, according to a report by independent regulator Ofcom.


The investigation came after submissions from BT, Setanta, Top Up TV and Virgin Media requested that the body look into the competition element of the industry, leading to Sky issuing an official response.

The report explained that it was acting "under our general duty to promote competition, we have been collecting evidence and carrying out analysis to gain a preliminary understanding of the operation of the pay TV market, and the outcome for consumers".

Ofcom is looking into consumer choice and whether companies can effectively compete with services they can offer next to industry giant BSkyB, which now has 8.2 million retail subscribers in the UK.

It was also mentioned within the report that the presence of IPTV on broadband has made it cheaper and easier for consumers to switch services, as there is no expensive dish installation.

Ofcom is expected to deliver its final conclusion in spring 2008.

Tuesday, 18th December 2007

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