The UK telecommunications regulator, Ofcom recently announced a consultation that could see the end of telecoms providers having to provide fax services.
The beloved office device- once known as a facsimile machine, but more commonly as the fax machine, was once a regular feature of British offices and has remained an office staple for many years.
However, in recent weeks, the UK’s telecommunications regulator Ofcom is toying with changes to telecoms rules that could confirm the device’s obsolescence.
The Guardian reported that Ofcom backs the Government’s decision for the removal of fax services. This is under the Universal Service Order (USO) legislation, meaning telecoms providers would no longer be required to provide fax services.
“We’re proposing changes to the rules” Ofcom said.
By removing the obligation of fax services from USO rules, this could truly mean that the final days for the fax machine are on the horizon.
According to BBC news, Ofcom said: “Not only are alternatives to fax machines now more widely available, migration of telephone networks to internet protocol (IP) technology means fax services can no longer be guaranteed to work in the same way”.
It’s reported that Ofcom consulted widely on this last year. They stated: “We considered it was appropriate for the fax to be removed from the USO, given its limited ongoing use.
In the Uk, there are currently two designated telecoms providers who are responsible for Universal service, these are: BT and KCOM.
Ofcom first set up USO in 2003. Which was when fax machines and fax services were far more active in office life. This was a time when people weren’t connecting via email, and other online messaging platforms. So, the USO required BT and KCOM to provide fax services as they were heavily relied upon.
Fax in the past: a fast breakdown of the fax machine origin:
1- Initial Invention
Alexander Bain invented fax in 1843 by creating the ‘Electric Printing Telegraph’. He was also the first to invent and patent the electric clock, which would go on to be fundamental for the development of the fax machine.
2- Scanning PhotoTelegraph
English inventor Shelford Bidwell invented the first telefax machine capable of scanning and sending a two dimensional image, called the Scanning phototelegraph machine, invented in 1880.
3- Teleautograph
The Telautograph machine was invented by Elisha Grey, in 1888. This machine allowed users to send signature images over long distances!
4- Wire Transmission
In 1924 it was found that fax technology was further advanced thanks to Scientists at AT&T Corporation, who sent photos by telephone/ wire transmission.
5- Wireless Transmission
Also in 1924, a photograph was successfully transmitted between New York and London by The Radio Corporation of America (RCA), who developed the TransOceanic Radio Facsimile.
6- Fax in Colour
1924 seemed to be a huge year of success for the development of fax where the AT&T corporation invented a fax device which is capable of transmitting a facsimile in colour. Which was obviously a worlds first.
7- Fax time
In 1924, the time it took to send a single page fax broke a record breaking speed of just 6 minutes.
8- Fax via Satellite
In the year 1960, the world saw the U.S Army send the world’s first photograph via satellite facsimile which was sent from America to Puerto Rico.
9- First Commercialised Fax
Four years later, in 1964, the first commercialised version of the tax machine was introduced and patented by the Xerox Corporation using telephone transmission.
10- New record breaker
It took just 3 minutes to send a single page fax in 1974, subsequently becoming 50% faster than before.
11- Fax machine got price tag
The fax machine was given a price tag of $20,000 in the year 1982.
12- Fax got enhanced
In the same year as above, GammaLink introduced the first ever computer based fax board, consequently getting named: GammaFax. Just rolls right off the tongue.
13- Internet Fax
Jumping to the year 1996, the first internet fax service was made available to the general public, therefore allowing users to send and receive fax via a PC.
14- Apple and Fax integration
In 2010- eFax launched an IOS app which allowed its users the ability to fax directly from their apple device.
15- Can you hazard a guess what's next?
ANDROID! In the following year, 2011, eFax launched an Android app, enabling users with Android devices to send fax.