On 6 June 2018, the EU announced a political agreement on the long-awaited European Electronic Communications Code. Stakeholders across the board are unhappy; however, the favourable treatment of wholesale-only networks could solve some long-standing problems facing wholesale access regulation over the last 20 years.
Three UK’s road to 5G leadership
On 6 June 2018, Three UK held an analyst event focused on recent network developments, spectrum holdings and plans to launch 5G. While specific details around their 5G launch remain under-wraps, there’s a clear ambition to be a leader from the start. The recent acquisition of fixed wireless access broadband provider Relish, and success in the recent Ofcom auction have positioned Three well to extend their footprint and what can be achieved.
BT reshapes consumer division
Following last week’s Q4 results, today we saw how BT Group plans to implement its new strategy starting with the reshaping of its consumer division. There were a number of announcements made, the most important of which we have summarised here.
BT – Q4 results and the biggest shake-up in a decade
After a two year slide, during which the share price has practically halved, trust and confidence amongst BT's investors needs to be rebuilt. Accordingly, the company has announced its biggest overhaul in a decade which sees cost stripping and job losses but also new hires and investment.
South African government should listen to industry’s concerns about the Telecoms Bill
Following several drafts, the latest of which was published in November 2017, the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services of South Africa (DTPS) is currently redrafting the Electronic Communications Amendment Bill, with the view to finalise legislation by early 2019. The bill introduces several major changes.
Ofcom completes UK 5G spectrum auction
Ofcom has today announced the outcome of the principal stage of its auction to release airwaves for 4G mobile and future 5G services in the 2.3GHz and 3.4GHz bands. In the auction, Vodafone spent the most of all operators, O2 acquired all of the available spectrum at 2.3GHz and and BT/EE's share of spectrum fell as per the auction rules.
Telecom Italia approves network separation plan
On 6 March 2018, Telecom Italia (TIM)’s board approved a plan to move the company’s fixed network assets into a legally separated entity, which will still be part of the group and will be 100% controlled by TIM. According to the plan, access to the network will be granted through a ‘one-stop-shop’ access point for regulated and unregulated wholesale services for all operators including TIM, delivering a 'fully neutral and equivalent' model.
Stakeholders unhappy with spectrum deal as part of the EECC code
On March 1, 2018, the European Commission, the EU Parliament, and the EU Council reached a preliminary agreement on parts of the forthcoming European Electronic Communications Code, related to spectrum policy. The agreement includes the availability of spectrum for 5G in the EU by 2020; a 20-year period of ‘investment predictability’ for spectrum licences; and enhanced coordination and peer review of planned radio spectrum assignment procedures.
UK: Ofcom finalises Wholesale Local Access Market review
Ofcom has finalised the Wholesale Local Access market review. The draft statement reinforces many messages from last year’s consultation and crucially maintains a new charge control for Openreach’s anchor fibre product. A greater emphasis is being put on access to BT’s duct and pole network in light of the strong momentum towards full-fibre from broadband companies other than Openreach.
Regulators press ahead with plans for 5G amid wider uncertainties
The German regulator BNetzA is the latest in a line of European regulators preparing a 5G spectrum auction. Similar planning is taking place in France and in the UK. The European Radio Spectrum Policy Group has also set ambitious deadlines, with the view to see the first commercial launches by 2020. However, for 5G networks to become operational by such a tight deadline, progress needs to be made not only on the front of spectrum awards, but also on the finalisation of 5G standards and on building comprehensive 5G strategies to identify products and services 5G will support and enable.
