A wave of cross-border investment has seen some operators – directly or indirectly – acquiring shares in their peers. We outline a number of recent developments in the market and in legislation, and consider what's next for foreign investment regulation
Remedies in four-to-three mobile mergers
With renewed calls for in-market consolidation and pending transactions in two European countries, it is timely to revisit previous merger review decisions. We’ve analysed the commitments in four deals and considered the impacts they had on the market
UK: Support with the cost of living
The telecoms industry has been criticised for raising prices and not doing enough for those in financial hardship. Beyond providing social tariffs, we've identified £300m of initiatives operators have put in place at their own cost to help ease the pain
The international experience with in-contract price rises
A wave of price rises is coming to European telecoms, with many customers soon to face above-inflation increases in their monthly bills. What are these price rises based on, how much they are set to be, and how have they been implemented and communicated?
Fair share: Can it coexist with net neutrality?
Despite finding support for fair share, operators are yet to convincingly outline how their proposals can be implemented without undermining the open internet. Showing how that can be achieved in practice is a prerequisite to advancing the debate
Telecoms versus tech: Who should bear the cost of deploying infrastructure?
Amid rising traffic levels and investment requirements, telcos want tech firms to contribute to network costs. While tech firms claim telcos have failed to monetise their customers, the ‘fair contribution’ concept has grabbed the attention of policymakers
Three/Vodafone: What would be the chances of regulatory approval?
Past attempts at 4-to-3 mobile mergers indicate a high bar for approval. Though wholesale competition concerns could be overcome, the risk of price rises for consumers and mid-band spectrum holdings present more of a challenge to getting a deal through
The future’s bright, the future’s green
Telecoms operators have meaningfully embraced sustainability, with many having set targets even more ambitious than the net zero by 2050 aims. Regulators are paying attention too with ARCEP making environmental issues ‘the next chapter in regulation'
Improving information on 5G coverage
5G is now available in 300+ locations of the UK. So far, only EE has fully explained how it defines a location as covered. Ofcom could play an important role in helping consumers assess coverage claims, much like its equivalent in South Korea does
£940m of support from UK telecoms operators during COVID-19
Having considered 50 of the initiatives UK telecoms operators put in place during the course of the pandemic so far, we estimate £940m of support has been made available – £340m of which have been to help the most vulnerable
