Policy paper

Ofcom growth goals: 2026 to 2027 

Published 11 June 2026

1. AI innovation in telecoms 

Outcome goal: Maximise the growth and innovation benefits of AI in telecoms. 

Key results: Generate insight to support responsible innovation and AI adoption in UK telecoms.

• following Ofcom’s invitation for stakeholders to contribute on the impact AI could have on the experience of residential and business broadband, mobile and pay TV customers in January 2026, Ofcom will analyse responses in Q1 and Q2 2026
• Ofcom is developing a greater understanding of how residential and business customers, telecoms providers and third-party applications in the telecoms value chain are currently using AI tools and technologies, and how this is likely to evolve in the future
• Ofcom will explore how this may have the potential to change customers’ experience of telecoms markets and whether changes to our rules may be necessary to realise the benefits of AI adoption
• Ofcom will set out its findings in a publication in the second half of 2026, including any next steps for its work in this area

Impact narrative: A greater understanding of the impact of current and potential future AI adoption on telecoms consumers will enable Ofcom to consider whether any changes to regulations are necessary to support responsible AI adoption or to protect consumers. This will include identifying any aspects of Ofcom’s current rules that could prevent telecoms providers from realising opportunities for innovation and efficiency, as well as any gaps in protections for consumers.  

2. Fixed telecoms 

Outcome goal: Promote competition, investment and modernisation of fixed networks, and promote business connectivity, to ensure more of the UK benefits from faster, more reliable connectivity.  

Key results: A regulatory framework that supports continued investment in full fibre across the UK, and the development of sustainable network competition. This includes supporting a healthy business connectivity market and promoting competition in the leased line market. For example:  

• regulatory decisions for the leased line market will form part of the Telecoms Access Review
• Ofcom will publish the Hull Telecoms Access Review in October 2026, following publication of the Telecoms Access Review in March 2026
• ensure the smooth transition to VoIP during the PSTN migration takes place safely and delivers a reliable service for all customers, including Openreach customers by January 2027. 

Impact narrative: This will enable further investment in full fibre by Openreach and altnets so that more of the UK benefits from faster, more reliable connectivity – consumers and businesses rely on it for work, accessing public services and entertainment. It will also drive economic growth, supporting higher productivity and innovation across all sectors of the economy and public sector transformation; and it will facilitate the development and adoption of AI.

Network competition will continue to develop where this is sustainable and where it delivers benefits to consumers including a healthy business connectivity market – from innovation, choice, and stronger incentives to price keenly to attract customers, to further improve quality of service. The modernisation of telecoms networks will further support this.

3. Mobile connectivity 

Outcome goal: Improve investment in UK mobile connectivity.

Key results: Setting out information on investment in UK mobile connectivity and providing better data to help decision-makers deliver improved outcomes for consumers.

• Ofcom will set out its view on what more can be done to support investment and improvements in mobile connectivity in a discussion paper in the summer of 2026
• Ofcom will strengthen the data and evidence available to the public and decision-makers on mobile coverage and delivery of service to help deliver better outcomes for consumers by Q3 2026 to 2027
• Ofcom will also provide more detailed plans for further developments aimed at improving the accuracy of mobile coverage and level of service available across the UK, building on the launch of the Map Your Mobile tool in June 2025. This should include use of crowdsourced and measured data
• Ofcom will also provide more detailed plans to inform the government’s policy development and monitoring of improvements to road and rail coverage reporting

Impact narrative: Users will have access to clearer, more informative data on mobile network coverage which should more closely align with lived experience. This will allow for more informed choices to be made on which operator provides the best service in a given area, which will have a positive impact on competition in the UK market and potentially support investment.  

With more accurate information on network coverage and performance, government can see where the commercial market is not delivering and assess policy options to support investment in these areas, in line with the government’s ambition for higher quality standalone 5G for all populated areas by 2030. 

4. Spectrum 

Outcome goal: Maximise spectrum access and sharing to unlock innovation in the UK  

Key results: Introduction of new products to support innovation and growth.

• Ofcom will set out plans for evolving spectrum authorisation frameworks to enable adoption of innovative technologies in Q3 2026 to 2027
• Ofcom will publish decisions on expanding spectrum for satellite broadband on planes and ships, and innovative wireless broadband solutions for Wi-Fi, by Q3 2026 to 2027
• Ofcom will publish a decision on the future use of the 2GHz Mobile Satellite Spectrum (MSS) band by Q4 2026 to 2027
• Ofcom will work with government on a UK approach to the World Radiocommunications Conference 2027, including enabling a resilient, competitive, and innovative UK space sector

Impact narrative: Spectrum is central to unlocking innovation and growth across the UK economy and remains a key enabler to getting the whole of the UK connected.  

By Ofcom supporting this innovation, growth will be enabled across the UK economy and the increasing demand for spectrum from a growing range of technologies will be effectively managed.  

5. Enabling creative sector growth 

Outcome goal: Media reforms that underpin creative sector growth.  

Key results: Review broadcasting regulation, prioritising the removal of any outdated regulation that stifles innovation and growth in the sector, or deters investment in PSB content.  

• Ofcom is considering responses to its call for input which sought views on how broadcasting regulation needs to evolve in the short and longer term. Ofcom will build on this work in Q1 2026 to 2027

Impact narrative: Looking at what changes are needed in broadcast regulation will ensure audiences are protected, that regulation is flexible to respond to market changes and that regulation supports growth and innovation.  

6. Postal service 

Outcome goal: Support a financially sustainable universal postal service.  

Key results: Ensure that regulation supports the continued provision of a universal postal service which in turn will benefit consumers, businesses and the wider economy.  

• monitoring Royal Mail’s implementation of Ofcom’s reform of the universal service obligations, to support its continued financial sustainability
• Ofcom will publish its annual monitoring update of the postal market in Q3 2026 to 2027
• setting a long-term approach to pricing, ahead of the current safeguard cap on second class stamps expiring in April 2027
• Ofcom will publish next steps in 2026

Impact narrative: This will ensure a financially sustainable universal service that allows services to be delivered more efficiently, which will support economic growth.