To print: Click here or Select File and then Print from your browser's menu

This story was printed from silicon.com, located at http://www.silicon.com/

Story URL: http://networks.silicon.com/broadband/0,39024661,39163573,00.htm

The A to Z of broadband
Let's get connected with an alphabetic guide to all things broadband

By Gemma Simpson

Published: Wednesday 01 November 2006

Ofcom

The Office of Communications (Ofcom) is the 'super regulator' for the UK's telecoms industry, including the broadband market.

The list from A to Z

Click on the links below to find out more...

A is for ADSL
B is for BT
C is for Cable & Wireless
D is for Dial-up
E is for Education
F is for Fibre
G is for Goonhilly
H is for HSDPA
I is for In-flight
J is for Janet
K is for Kingston
L is for Landlines
M is for Murdoch
N is for Next generation
O is for Ofcom
P is for Power lines
Q is for Quad-play
R is for Remote working
S is for Satellite phones
T is for Trains
U is for Unbundling
V is for VoIP
W is for WiMax
X is for Xbox
Y is for YouTube
Z is for Zombies

In its watchdog role, Ofcom has been involved in a fair few skirmishes over the years.

It recently published research into how to protect UK consumers on the internet, citing industry self-regulation and proactive users as key factors.

As well as worrying about broadband to the home it's also had to watch over new types of broadband communications, such as VoIP. A new licence was also made available by the watchdog, allowing train operators to upgrade their on-board wireless services to two-way satellite links. Ofcom has had licence types for planes and ships for some time but created the new type because of the increasing use of wireless links on trains.