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Ofcom Chief Executive Ed Richards was quoted as saying the telecoms and media watchdog was ready to punish firms that broke rules on the supply of broadband and telephone services.

'We have been pretty generous over time and now is the time to start saying: "Come on guys, get into line, make sure you comply with the codes. Sell aggressively, sell well, compete aggressively, compete however you want to, but do sell in a way which is going to build consumer confidence not undermine it."?' Richards told the FT in an interview.

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confidence had waned in the wake of a settlement between regulators and BT Group Plc earlier this year that increased competition in fixed-line telephone and broadband markets, Richards said, according to the newspaper.

Turning to television, Richards divulged few details on a complaint to Ofcom by cable firm NTL -- which this month dropped plans to bid for ITV Plc -- over a decision by rival BSkyB to buy a blocking stake in the broadcaster in November.

'It's a serious issue ... we will deal with it in a calm, analytical way,' he told the FT.

Richards also dismissed the idea of changing Ofcom's stance in the near term after it rejected a bid by ITV in October to reduce programmes for children, which do not generate much money, the newspaper said. The crux of good regulation was to "do a deal and stick to it. You can't come back in six months and say we want to cut it now", he said.

In a separate interview with the Times, Richards warned the laws governing radio regulation appeared outdated even though they were only adopted three years ago, the newspaper said.