Empowering connectivity: How flexible regulation in the UK benefits consumers in rural and urban areas

That’s why we welcome flexible regulation, as outlined in Ofcom’s report, that will play a critical role in connecting individuals, businesses and communities, and bridge the digital divide. In recent years, regulatory bodies have recognised the importance of fostering competition and promoting investment in full fibre networks to boost internet connectivity across the UK.

As a result, the government promised to invest at least £1.2bn between now and 2024/25 to subsidise rollout in the hardest-to-reach areas as part of a £5bn funding commitment. Enhanced competition and innovation will bring significant benefits to consumers in different geographical regions. Here’s how… 

Enhanced Competition:

This will promote a level playing field, encouraging more players to enter the market. Reducing barriers to entry, this approach leads to increased competition among current and new service providers. In turn, consumers reap the rewards through a wider choice of providers, improved service quality and competitive pricing options. Geographically diverse consumers benefit from increased competition as it encourages operators to expand their infrastructure and coverage to previously underserved areas.

Improved Innovation:

Flexible regulation fosters innovation as telecom providers are incentivized to invest in research and development, leading to advancements in technology, services and infrastructure. This benefits consumers by offering them access to cutting-edge solutions, faster broadband speeds and a wider range of services tailored to their needs. In geographically distinct areas, flexible regulation encourages innovation that addresses specific challenges, such as rural connectivity or the last-mile problem – which refers to the issue of the gap between an internet provider’s infrastructure and a customer’s home or workplace.

Tailored Services:

It enables telecom providers to offer tailored services that cater to the diverse needs of consumers. Operators can design packages and pricing structures that align with different geographical demographics, allowing consumers to choose services that best suit their requirements and budget. For instance, rural consumers may benefit from specialised plans that account for lower population densities, while urban dwellers may have access to high-speed broadband options tailored to their specific needs.

Consumer Empowerment:

Flexible regulation also empowers consumers by providing them with the freedom to switch providers easily. This creates a competitive environment where operators strive to improve their offerings to attract and retain customers. As a result, consumers gain greater control over their telecoms services, enjoying improved customer service, more responsive complaint resolution, and the ability to switch to providers offering better deals or enhanced features.

Through empowered decision-making and a competitive marketplace, consumers can shape their telecoms experience according to their location, unique needs and preferences. As regulatory bodies continue to embrace flexible regulation, the telecoms industry will flourish, delivering significant benefits to different consumers across the UK.

If you’re interested in BeFibre’s mission to change the telecoms status quo, enter your postcode to check if BeFibre is available in your area, here.

All references to how many times faster our broadband service is, depends on you being able to access ‘superfast’ type broadband services of 70Mbps (or less) and selecting one of our packages at the advertised speed. Speeds shown may be affected based on the placement of the router in your property or the device you are using.