Three separate merger notifications to two different competition authorities provides for an atypical, and complex, review process
Q1 2026 European operator results: Regulatory and policy highlights
European operators struck a notably more optimistic tone on regulation and consolidation in Q1 2026, with several executives welcoming the EC’s draft merger guidelines as a potential turning point for the sector
Event debrief: POLITICO’s AI & Tech Week 2026
Concerns over the AI Omnibus, Europe’s lack of digital sovereignty, and online safety dominated discussions ahead of the EC’s proposal for a Cloud and AI Development Act
UK: Limiting children’s access to smartphones and social media
The Government will consider the impact of legislation implemented abroad as well as the views of both parents and young people before determining its approach
Q3 2025 results: Regulatory and policy highlights
European operators used Q3 earnings to stress the need for regulatory reform and in-market consolidation. Regulators were urged to adopt pro-investment, pro-consolidation frameworks to boost competitiveness.
Event debrief: Capacity Europe 2025
With important reforms looming in Europe, the regulatory model in France was singled out as having successfully enabled fibre investment and competition
France: Conditions for completing the fibre rollout
The regulator expects Orange to maintain regular contact with those who have refused migration to its fibre network, especially as its copper retirement proceeds
Apple: Competition scrutiny for privacy features
This most recent fine reflects an increasing skepticism in the EU around the competition impacts from Apple’s claims of its superior privacy and security features
Australia: Alternative licensing for expiring spectrum
Despite ruling out including rollout obligations in spectrum licences, ACMA sees potential benefits of a secondary licensing framework for rural competition and consumer choice
France: Arcep’s ‘Ambition 2030’ strategy
Network resilience, environmental sustainability, connectivity and digital competition are at the centre of the regulator’s ambitions and actions for the next five years
