Digital inclusion, resilience and adoption take greater prominence in the new SSP, while there are less than subtle hints for Ofcom’s expected regulation of Openreach
Event debrief: Westminster eForum: The future for broadband and mobile connectivity in the UK
Industry calls for greater intervention to facilitate 5G rollouts, but urges caution around changes to the existing regulatory framework for fibre
T-Mobile secures approval for UScellular acquisition
Though they reached the same decision, the FCC and DOJ took distinctly different views of mobile consolidation, with the DOJ warning of the Big Three operators’ “oligopoly”
US: Telecoms in the Big, Beautiful Bill
In addition to refilling the US’ spectrum pipeline after more than two years of no new auctions by the FCC, the Act offers incentives to boost fibre and AI investment
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
Event debrief: ComReg Conference 2025
Alongside further pushback against an overhaul of EU telecoms regulation, there were calls for the effective enforcement of cybersecurity frameworks amid geopolitical uncertainty
Ofcom’s strategic approach to AI
Ofcom is aiming to support innovative applications of AI across communications markets, shifting its approach that had largely focused on understanding the technology's risks
The European Parliament’s tech sovereignty report
Beyond its focus on building the ‘Eurostack’, the ITRE Committee strike a middle ground in aligning with some but not all recommendations for the Digital Networks Act
Netherlands: A call to action on telecoms policy reform
The Government urges stronger regulation and effective competition, considering that the European framework should be seen as a success
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
