Asked by: Greg Smith (Conservative - Mid Buckinghamshire)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will have discussions with the Advertising Standards Authority on the mis-advertising of part-copper broadband.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
In September, Ofcom issued new guidance to ensure consumers are told in clear terms about the technology that underpins their broadband service. At point of sale, providers will no longer be able to use the term ‘fibre’ on its own; they must now state whether their network is a new ‘full-fibre’ network or a ‘part-fibre’, ‘copper’, or ‘cable’ network. The government will continue to engage with the regulator and the Advertising Standards Authority to monitor the impact of these new rules, including considering the implications for advertising terminology.
Asked by: Greg Smith (Conservative - Mid Buckinghamshire)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking with mobile network providers to accelerate the delivery of the Shared Rural Network.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Shared Rural Network has already delivered substantial improvements to outdoor 4G mobile coverage across the UK.
I’m pleased to report to the House that 4G coverage across the UK now stands at 94.9% which is an increase from 91% in March 2020 when the Shared Rural Network was agreed.
This indicates the programme will deliver the overarching 95% coverage target ahead of its December 2025 target, enabling rural businesses and communities to thrive.
Asked by: Greg Smith (Conservative - Mid Buckinghamshire)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will hold discussions with the Leader of the House on making parliamentary time available for scrutiny of Ofcom’s guidance on age verification and age assurance before publication of a government response.
Answered by Saqib Bhatti - Shadow Minister (Culture, Media and Sport)
Parliamentary scheduling is a matter for the Business Managers.
The government is focused on implementing the Online Safety Act as quickly as possible. Ofcom published its consultation on draft guidance about use of age assurance for sites displaying pornographic content on 5 December 2023, and this was open for responses until 5 March 2024. The Act requires that Ofcom consult with the Secretary of State before producing this guidance.
For the broader duties under the Act about protecting children from harmful content, we expect Ofcom to publish its draft codes of practice later in the Spring. The Act requires that codes of practice are laid in both Houses before coming into force.
Asked by: Greg Smith (Conservative - Mid Buckinghamshire)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how much Ofcom has spent to implement the Online Safety Act 2023; and how many staff have been (a) hired by and (b) seconded to Ofcom for implementation of that Act.
Answered by Saqib Bhatti - Shadow Minister (Culture, Media and Sport)
As published in the NAO’s report on preparedness for online safety, Ofcom spent £2.7m in 2020-21, £14.7m in 2021-22, £38.2m in 2022-23 and their spend in 2023-24 is to be confirmed, noting the Government-set spending cap is £47m. This report can be found here: www.nao.org.uk/reports/preparedness-for-online-safety-regulation/
The Government’s intention is that the regulation of online safety will become cost neutral to the exchequer. The Online Safety Act 2023 allows Ofcom to raise the required income to cover the costs of running the online safety regime, including set up costs, through industry fees.
As of March 2024, there are 202 colleagues in Ofcom’s Online Safety Directorate. Beyond the Online Safety Directorate, there are employees within Ofcom's Legal and Enforcement, Research and Analytics, Strategy and Research, and Corporate groups that also work full time on Ofcom's online safety work.
Asked by: Greg Smith (Conservative - Mid Buckinghamshire)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
o ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of mobile connectivity in rural areas.
Answered by John Whittingdale
Almost 93% of the UK benefits from good quality 4G coverage from at least one mobile network operator, but we know more needs to be done in rural areas.
Our £1bn Shared Rural Network agreement with industry, will increase coverage to 95% by the end of 2025, supporting rural businesses and communities.
Ofcom is also looking at the accuracy of coverage reporting to ensure it better reflects people’s experiences over coverage.