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: ISPA ISP Summit 2026
The proposed nexfibre/Netomnia transaction took centre stage, as panellists debated network overlaps, the deal’s potential impact on competition and whether it warrants an in-depth review
One year of the UK’s Digital Inclusion Action Plan
While over 1m people have been helped to get online since the launch of the plan, there are calls for the Government to turn promising first steps into lasting change
Ofcom closes its business messaging market review
Carrying through with its original proposals would have made the UK an outlier in the regulation of A2P SMS termination rates
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
UK: The Vodafone/Virgin Media O2 spectrum sale
The deal agreed during the merger somewhat reduces imbalances between the three UK operators while improving Virgin Media O2’s competitive and network positions
Extending spectrum licences in Germany
The Bundeskartellamt argues that conditions attached to the proposed extension of spectrum usage rights would harm new entrant 1&1 and hinder wholesale competition
Three/Vodafone in the UK: Merger approval
Approval from the CMA based on behavioural, rather than structural, remedies is unusual but sensible. It does, however, mean that much of the real work starts now
A call to action on digital inclusion
The report issues a familiar ask for an updated national strategy from government while positioning digital inclusion as a priority within a broader story of economic growth
Three/Vodafone in the UK: Responses to the notice of possible remedies
With varying support for an investment commitment, there are concerns that behavioural measures might not address the competition issues identified by the CMA
