the challenge

To set up a new world class regulatory office for the converging communications sector. The new Office of Communications merged the functions of five existing regulatory bodies, namely the Independent Television Commission (ITC), the Broadcasting Standards Commission (BSC), the Office of Telecommunications (Oftel), the Radio Authority (RAu) and the Radiocommunications Agency (RA).

our role

Reporting directly to the Ofcom CEO, Stephen Carter, the planning, coordination and management through to successful delivery, of the location and formation of Ofcom in accordance with the associated Launch Definition, derived from and in support of, the Communications Bill. The bill required that Ofcom be fully formed and vested by the end of 2003.

regulatory objectives

These were set out in the Communications Bill, presented before Parliament which set out the following general duties:

• To further the interests of consumers in relevant markets
• To secure the optimal use of the radio spectrum
• To ensure that a wide range of television and radio services is available in the UK, comprising high-quality services of broad appeal
• To protect the public from any offensive or potentially harmful effects of broadcast media, and to safeguard people from being unfairly treated in television and radio programmes

our critical deliverable

Derived from and in support of the Ofcom Scoping Project report, dated 9th October 2001, in which the foundations were laid for the establishment of the UK's new communications regulator, the Ofcom Programme Launch Definition outlined the deliverables through to Dec. 15, 2003, scope and content of Ofcom at launch. The publicly declared date of Monday, Dec. 15, 2003 represented the latest date by which all deliverables outlined in this document, other than Vesting, would be implemented.

For the Programme Management purposes, the associated launch Master Level Schedule (MLS) was driven to a Monday, Dec. 1, 2003 date thereby introducing 2 weeks of scheduling float.

Vesting (final transference of regulatory powers) was targeted for Monday, Dec. 29, 2003.

This required the capability to a) communicate and operate at several levels in the company from CEO to specialist plant management, and b) work to the tight deadlines as set out by both BNFL and the British Government.

success factor

High. Successfully launched on Dec. 1, 2003 and vested on Dec. 29th, 2003.

testimonials

"In recognition that the project management of the launch process was a critical business risk, Caleb Symes Ltd (UK sister firm of US Expertise) were appointed in January 2003 to provide specialist support to developing an integrated project plan for the period until the vesting of the existing regulator's powers in Ofcom."
Ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 26 November 2003 and published on the 30th January 2004.