<P> On 22 July 2011, it was reported that Ofcom had begun an investigation into whether the phone - hacking scandal may have changed BSkyB's status as the "fit and proper" holder of a UK broadcasting licence . On the same day Ed Richards, the then chief executive of Ofcom, replied to Simon Hughes MP, Don Foster MP and Tim Farron MP following a letter which they had written to him on 8 July concerning News Corporation's shareholding in BSkyB . In the letter Richards confirmed that Ofcom considers that News Corporation's current shareholding of 39.14% in BSkyB does give it a material influence over the company; that Ofcom is not precluded from acting by ongoing police investigations; and that Ofcom's process is not dependent upon a criminal conviction being secured . </P> <P> In April 2012, Ofcom's probe moved from a monitoring phase to an "evidence gathering" phase . </P> <P> Ofcom licenses all UK commercial television and radio services in the UK . Broadcasters must comply by the terms of their licence, or risk having it revoked . Ofcom also publishes the Broadcasting Code, a series of rules which all broadcast content on television and radio must follow . The Broadcasting Code requires that content inappropriate for children should not be broadcast between the hours of 5: 30 a.m. and 9: 00 p.m. Premium - rate film services may broadcast content equivalent to a BBFC 15 certificate at any time of day provided a PIN - protected system is in place to restrict access to those authorised to view it . The broadcasting of pornography with a BBFC R18 certificate is not permitted . In 2010 Ofcom revoked the licences of four free - to - air television channels for promoting adult chat services during daytime hours and transmitting content that was too sexually explicit . The companies involved were fined £ 157,250 . Ofcom's jurisdiction does not cover television and radio channels which are broadcast in the UK but licensed abroad . In 2012 Ofcom lodged a complaint with the Dutch media regulator regarding the content of adult chat television channels which are broadcast in the UK but licensed in the Netherlands . </P> <P> Ofcom regulates the UK telecoms sector, defining and enforcing the conditions by which all mobile and fixed - line phone and broadband companies must abide . These' general conditions' are wide - ranging rules relating to matters such as telephone numbering, emergency services, sales, marketing and interconnection standards . Ofcom's investigation unit monitors compliance with the conditions and resolves disputes between providers . </P>

Who is ofcom and what do they do