| Link(s): | Farewell to the fax machine? – Ofcom Consultation: Removing fax from the universal service obligations on BT and KCOM – Ofcom |
Context
As digital technology and broadband services have developed, the fax machine has been overtaken by email and document sharing software that offer the same or better functionality. Ofcom is now consulting on changes to telecoms rules that could see the fax machine become a thing of the past.
Key points to note
Ofcom is proposing changes to the rules that will mean telecoms providers will no longer be required to provide fax services under the universal service obligation (USO). The current USO was set out in 2003, when fax machines were more prevalent and email and instant messaging were less ubiquitous. Almost 20 years later, and the telecoms landscape has changed. Not only are alternatives to fax machines now more widely available, migration of telephone networks to internet protocol (IP) technology means fax services can no longer be guaranteed to work in the same way.
Next actions
None – for information and awareness.