Jeremy Hunt announces review of 2003 Communications Act

Role of Ofcom will also come under scrutiny

The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, Jeremy Hunt, has announced a review of the 2003 Communications Act.

The Act was responsible for replacing Oftel with communications regulator Ofcom and setting up a regulatory framework for ISPs, telecoms and television.

Hunt announced the review at the Oxford Media Convention, and called for support and advice from the industry.

Hunt said there would be "a thorough review of media and communications that will lead to new Communications Act".

"It is now seven years since the last Act – a long time in today's fast-paced environment. Now is the time to make sure we have the most modern, innovation and investment-friendly legal structure in place," he added.

"This should allow our digital and creative industries to move to the next stage, and play their fullest possible role in promoting competition, innovation and economic growth. So we need to hear from you, the industry."

Hunt also implied that the role of Ofcom itself could come under review.

"We need to think about what we need to do to help our businesses grow and evolve between now and 2025," he said. "We need to know where regulation helps and where it is a barrier and what we can do collectively to enhance the whole UK market.

"This is not about tweaking the current system, but redesigning it – from scratch if necessary – to make it fit for purpose."

It is expected that the government will publish a Green Paper by the end of year that will set out the full scope of a new Communications Bill. The plan is for an Act to be in place by 2015 and last for at least a decade.