The Ofcom Consumer Panel has today [ 10 May 2005 ] published its research report:
'Consumers and the communications market: where we are now'  - along with key findings, plus focus documents on national and consumer segments.

This report details the findings from the market research project commissioned by the Consumer Panel into the current residential consumer and SME experience of the communications market. This will be an annual survey to assess changing consumer concerns year on year, and will be used by the Consumer Panel to inform its work in a number of areas.

The research focused on the residential consumer and SME experience of telecommunications (fixed and mobile), the internet (including broadband) and (for consumers only) broadcasting – including digital switchover – and use of technology.

The two key objectives for the research are to establish:

• What is the level of consumer knowledge regarding what is going on in the communications market and the choices/ alternatives they have now and will have in the future?
• What is the current consumer experience in the communications market?