Spectrum auction rules will facilitate the entry of a new fourth operator, which is intent on disrupting the sector
Contesting misleading advertising
BT and Deutsche Telekom have enjoyed only mixed success with recent challenges of their competitors’ marketing practices
Back to the future: Ofcom consults on mobile roaming protections
Proposed measures an important safeguard for UK consumers, although it might not be until next summer before they apply
South Korea: Government excludes telecoms operators from private 5G
Ringfenced spectrum, licence cancellation and a new plan to boost competition in telecoms have dialled up the pressure on operators
Australia: Court prohibits Telstra/TPG rural tie-up
The parties could yet adjust the proposed agreement or appeal to the Federal Court, for which success would mean meeting a high legal threshold
South Korea: Operators fined for deceiving consumers on 5G speeds
Marketing 5G performance unachievable in the real world prompts the regulator to levy one of the highest fines on record
Germany: New entrant faces fine for missing 5G rollout target
The fledgling operator 1&1 has been beset by deployment challenges. Access to low-band spectrum could be vital to meeting its longer-term coverage obligations
Czech Republic: EC vetoes proposals to regulate wholesale mobile access
Despite the market no longer warranting ex ante regulation, the CTU had found the largest operators collectively dominant and sought to impose remedies
Spain: Orange/MasMovil JV heads for Phase II review
The impacts on competition, potential for higher prices and the EC’s preference for cross-border mergers all present a significant regulatory hurdle
Orange/VOO deal sparks telecoms restructuring in Belgium
A network access commitment secured the EC’s approval in Phase II, but further in-market consolidation now depends on the national competition authority
