The ITC
has ceased to exist from 18 December 2003 and its duties have been assumed by
Ofcom, the Office of Communications. Ofcom is the new communications sector regulator
and will have wide-ranging responsibilities when it assumes its powers on 29 December
2003. Ofcom inherits the duties of the five existing regulators it replaces: the
Broadcasting Standards Commission (BSC), the Independent Television Commission
(ITC), Oftel, the Radio Authority and the Radiocommunications Agency.