In its Thursday-published report about fixed-line broadband in the UK, Ofcom has revealed that average broadband speed in the country witnessed a 22 percent increase - from 6.8 megabits per second (Mbps) to 7.6 Mbps - during the six-month period from May to November 2011.

Telecoms regulator Ofcom has revealed that UK’s population has been inclined towards social networking sites and smartphones. Around one fourth of the adult population and half of the teenagers have been using smartphones.

Ofcom revealed that among the smartphones owners, 58% of them were males and the female count was 42%. Among the younger generation, children aged between 12 and 15 years were surveyed, 52% of girls have been using smart phones and 48% of boys were using smartphones.

The Scottish population has not been using the internet broadband services completely, as only 61% of the Scots use broadband, compared with 74% of people in the entire UK, the communications regulator Ofcom notified.

According to the reports of Ofcom, in Greater Glasgow, the usage of broadband was very low, as only 50% people have been using it. However, between the age group of 35 and 54, the usage of broadband was highest at 85% in Scotland while it was just 83% in the entire UK. Also, 9% increase has been seen recently due to the popularity of laptop or PC with a broadband dongle.

With a view to provide a boost to internet uptake in rural areas, UK telecoms regulator Ofcom has proposed that BT should slash the wholesale prices it charges from other Internet Service Providers which use its infrastructure to pass on broadband to rural areas.

BT may be forced to slash its wholesale prices in the range of 10.7 per cent to 14.7 per cent, after taking inflation into account, so that the Internet service Providers could pass on the cost saving to end users.

Telecoms regulator Ofcom has launched a consultation into making calls to 0800 numbers free in order to simplify users' lives.

The regulator said it launched the consultation to get rid of confusion over the cost of calls to non-geographic numbers that start with 03, 08, 09 and 118. These numbers are largely used by charities, Government agencies and businesses. These numbers are also widely used for public voting for popular TV shows such as X Factor.

The UK telecoms watchdog Ofcom has launched a consultation that could see mobile phone operators to make calls to 0800 numbers free, as they are on landlines.

Ofcom wants to simplify prices to hack on confusion regarding the cost of calls to non-geographic numbers beginning with 03, 08, 09 and 118. These numbers are widely used by Government agencies, charities and businesses, like that of TV shows which feature a public vote.

Communications regulator Ofcom has said that less than one per cent of households in the UK have access to super-fast broadband.

Regulator’s annual International Communications Market report lags far behind other countries on fixed and mobile broadband. The report cited the example of Japan, where more than a third of consumers enjoy super-fast broadband services.

Telecoms watchdog Ofcom has announced that the auction for 4G spectrum would take place sometime during the first quarter of 2012, with the process of release expected to be finished by the end of 2013.

It means mobile operators will compete to acquire a share of the 800MHz and 2.6GHz blocks of high-speed data spectrum.

The announcement was made by Ofcom’s chief executive Ed Richards. Making the announcement at the FT World Telecoms Confrence, Richards said, “This is a stretching timetable. The equivalent time period for the 3G auction was around three years.”

British telecoms watchdog Ofcom has launched a consultation to determine how white space (unused radio waves in between the frequencies occupied by TV channels) could be used to enhance broadband access in rural areas.

White space technology can be used to carry wireless signals, although unlike traditional wi-fi, white space devices will use lower frequencies that are usually the domain of television.

UK communications watchdog Ofcom has advised the government should make 2G (900MHz and 1800MHz) radio spectrum available for 3G mobile services (UMTS) at the earliest possible.

Ofcom said that liberalization of 900MHz and 1800MHz radio spectrum for 3G mobile services would likely benefit consumers and would unlikely result into a material distortion of competition.

Virgin Media Inc. (VMED) and British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC (BSY) had opposed the idea of a joint venture which is likely to get Internet content and new video-on-demand to the television. However an investigation has been ruled out by U. K. communications regulator Ofcom into it.

The YouView TV Ltd would most probably come into play by the first half of next year. Complaints had been submitted against Ofcom which claimed the violation of the 1998 Competition Act.

The UK communications watchdog Ofcom has demanded broadband provider BT to allow its rivals to use its superfast broadband network.

The new regulatory structure has been designed to provide a boost to competition and investment in superfast broadband services across the country.

Commenting on the topic, Ofcom’s chief executive Ed Richards said, "This is very, very significant, it is a milestone announcement. This is our most important contribution to deployment."

The Government of UK has not been able to make a decision on whether it should consider the takeover proposal of pay-TV group BSkyB for review.

According to the BBC, the media regulator Ofcom will be asked to keep a check on any takeover and its impact and to look whether the voices within the British media sector are reduced.

British newspapers The Sun, The Times, the News of the World and Sunday Times are owned by the News Corp., which wishes to take over 61% of the leading British pay-TV group.

New figures released by telecoms regulator Ofcom shows that there are now more than 7 million unbundled lines that offer broadband connections across Britain.

Unbundled lines allow BT’s rivals such as O2, TalkTalk and Sky to make use of its infrastructure to offer broadband services to households and businesses.

The availability of such a large number of unbundled lines is a good new for consumers as it ensures broadband services at more competitive prices.

Telecommunications regulator Ofcom has said that next-generation broadband services would boost social engagement and reduce isolation of the elderly and disabled Brits.

Outlining the importance of super-fast broadband, Ofcom said in a new report that super-fast broadband services could enhance the delivery of healthcare, improve social participation and entertainment services.