While an in-market mobile merger in France appears likely, consolidation in Portugal’s fixed broadband market is facing strong opposition
MWC24: Regulation & Policy roundup from Day 2
Network security, including infrastructure resilience and geopolitical tensions, loomed large as speakers envisaged a future driven by cloud, AI and 6G technologies
UK: CMA Phase I review of Vodafone/Three
Following formal notification, a 40 working day assessment of the merits of the merger now begins before deciding whether a longer (up to 32-week) investigation is required
Italy: TIM agrees sale of its fixed infrastructure to KKR
The deal would represent the first of its kind among major European operators, although key shareholders could yet halt proceedings and further drag out this already long-running saga
Malta: Rules for mid-contract price rises
The MCA seeks improved certainty and transparency for consumers, as well as a shorter contract term on plans featuring inflation-linked increases
AGCOM proposes to loosen regulation of the fixed access markets in Italy
The ongoing rollout of fibre means more of the country is now competitive, reducing the need to mandate access to TIM’s network
Italy: Stricter anti-piracy rules become law
AGCOM’s new powers to tackle illegal online streaming with be welcomed by industry, with the problem currently costing them €290m (£250m) annually
Italy: AGCOM to limit the use of inflation-based price rises
Restrictions on tariff increases would hit TIM the hardest, with the operator having already announced plans to implement a CPI+3.5% uplift
Broadband labelling in the US
The FCC has imposed nutrition labels for telecoms services. Italy’s experience suggests they have not been a silver bullet to improving transparency and fairness for consumers
Italy’s single broadband network: A step closer to fruition
Combining TIM and Open Fiber’s fixed broadband assets would create a unique market structure in Europe, securing regulatory clearance could be difficult
