Over the next year, the regulator will start investigating a wider range of digital services. WhatsApp, FaceTime and Zoom will come to the fore, with Ofcom looking at how their market power affects traditional calling and messaging and whether the lack of interoperability “raises potential concerns”. Selina Chadha, Ofcom’s director of connectivity, said: “The way we live, work, play and do business has been transformed by digital services. “But as the number of platforms, devices and networks serving content continues to grow, so do the technological and financial issues facing regulators. “That’s why we’re launching a program of work to scrutinize these digital markets, identify any competition issues and make sure they work well for the people and businesses that rely on them.” The cloud study, which starts in the coming weeks, “will examine the strength of competition in cloud services in general and the position of the three hyperscalers in the market,” the regulator said in a statement. “We will also look at any market features that may limit innovation and growth in this sector, making it difficult for other companies to enter the market and expand their market share. Subscribe to Business Today Get ready for the business day – we’ll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. “How well digital markets work will be increasingly important to the outcomes consumers experience in the sectors we regulate. We need to look at how companies use digital infrastructure and services as much as the cables, webs and satellites we’ve focused on in the past.” The investigations will be carried out under the Enterprise Act 2002, which gives Ofcom the power to issue market studies into digital communications markets and examine potentially unfair commercial practices and contract terms. Ofcom is expected to be given further powers to regulate internet content providers in the internet safety bill. Originally scheduled to be voted on before the summer recess, the bill was dropped for timing reasons, but the new culture secretary, Michelle Donelan, has promised to continue the legislation with some changes.
