A trend in cross-border investment in the telecoms sector continues to play out, with operators, financial institutions and governments all contributing to developments. We explore the motivations behind recent deals and the factors that will influence whether further transactions are on the horizon.
Policymakers have called for pro-growth regulation, but what should this look like in practice for the telecoms sector? We analyse past approaches and consider if and/or how they might be reframed and reapplied for modern times through government interventions or regulatory reforms.
Regulators will play a vital role in enabling D2D, but many are playing catch up. Authorisation regimes will need to prioritise licensing as well as spectrum and interference management if these new services are to finally help close the digital divide.
With fibre investment and coverage since the last review surpassing expectations, Ofcom is now keen to effect the second half of a 10-year framework, keeping Openreach honest while enabling scaled fibre network competition to materialise and ultimately be sustainable in the long-run.
This year Ofcom begins its enforcement of the Online Safety Act – legislation that is unique in both its depth and flexibility. These two characteristics will also make the success of the framework ultimately dependent on the capability and capacity of the regulator charged with its implementation.
Regulation for AI has typically not addressed the copyright issues that arise from the training and development of models. Greater legislative clarity and balance is needed to offer stronger protections than currently available for creators while still supporting the growth of AI.
With Brendan Carr set to take over the reins at the FCC, the regulator is expected to roll back red tape and prioritise global spectrum leadership. While we expect sweeping changes in consumer protection and net neutrality, Carr’s influence on broadband funding and tech regulation will be more limited.
In the last eight months, regulators in Europe have launched action against Meta in four different policy areas. We argue this approach is the result of the predictable and continued reality of regulating perverse incentives in the digital economy.
As well as regulating AI, policymakers themselves are using it as part of their day-to-day work from document review to spectrum management. So far most have been slow to do so and remain cautious. International guidelines for the use of AI in the public sector could change that.
Age assurance engages the familiar trade-off in online safety regulation between protecting children and guarding privacy rights. As appetite grows for restrictions on access to digital services, we examine existing methods, regulatory approaches, and wider debate.
Given the growing influence of big tech firms in subsea cable investment , governments are intent on regulating underwater infrastructure for a modern world. In the second of a series of reports, we outline the existing subsea cable regulatory toolbox and suggest points of focus for new policy interventions.
UK mobile operators continue to invest and deliver good consumer outcomes, but face persistent challenges around monetisation and increased political pressure. Here we share views on what the Government should consider including in the new SSP.
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
The regulator is seeking to improve the efficiency and transparency of the standard essential patents ecosystem, reduce costs of dispute resolution and promote innovation for UK firms
Industry calls for greater intervention to facilitate 5G rollouts, but urges caution around changes to the existing regulatory framework for fibre
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”
Complementing operators’ own 5G rollouts, the programme reflects government priorities to close the digital divide while modernising the country’s telecoms infrastructure
Despite calls for a delayed implementation of the AI Act, the EC’s much-debated code aims to outline a compliance blueprint for GPAI models
The regulator sees no reason to stop Telia’s 2025 shutdown, considering it a learning opportunity ahead of the final switch-off of all 2G services in 2027
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
Important discussions on online safety and digital access were missing possibly the two most important stakeholders: The Government and big tech
The new guidance provides a steer to industry on navigating upgraded wholesale speeds while ensuring consumers are informed about the limitations of their in-home equipment
The deal agreed during the merger somewhat reduces imbalances between the three UK operators while improving Virgin Media O2’s competitive and network positions
Nkom advocates cross-sector collaboration, rather than regulatory intervention, to address increasing problems with poor mobile coverage indoors
Also in the Briefing: The evolution of the EU’s DNA, and reviewing merger guidelines
Also in the Briefing: Telefónica's Digital Public Policy Playbook
Also in the Briefing: POLITICO/Google event on ‘Navigating the Cloud’, and scams policy in Australia
Also in the briefing: The fairness agenda, and the energy demands of digital infrastructure
Also in the briefing: Life after inflation-linked mid-contract price rises, and adding sustainability to the regulatory mandate
Also in the briefing: Responses to the EC’s connectivity White Paper
Ex-ante Designations benchmark updated to reflect the CMA’s proposed decisions to designate both Apple and Google’s mobile ecosystems as having Strategic Market Status
Age-Based Restrictions benchmark updated to include the introduction of the COPPA 2.0 bill in the US
Fines Issued by DPAs benchmark updated to include the fine and measures imposed by the MSIT in South Korea relating to the SK Telecom data breach
2G/3G Switch-off benchmark updated to include 2G and 3G network shutdown plans in Hong Kong
Implementation of the EU NIS2 Directive benchmark updated to the reflect the delayed transposition in the Netherlands until Q2 2026
Ex-Ante Regulation benchmark updated to reflect the passage of the Law on Digital Technology Industry in Vietnam
National Broadband Plans benchmark updated to reflect the change in the UK’s gigabit broadband target to 2032
Low-Band Awards benchmark updated to include the results of the 700/800MHz auction in Poland
Sustainability Targets benchmark updated to include the Digital Connectivity Forum’s initiative on limiting supply chain emissions in the UK
Updated to include Arcep’s deregulation of the wholesale central access market in France
Legislative Frameworks benchmark updated to reflect the FCC’s adoption of rules to protect net neutrality in the US
Featured Tracker Updates
National Broadband Plans benchmark updated to reflect the change in the UK’s gigabit broadband target to 2032
Fines Issued by DPAs benchmark updated to include the €530m (£450m) penalty imposed on TikTok for infringements of the GDPR
Protection Against Nuisance Calls and Texts benchmark expanded to include information on SMS sender ID registries and other SMS scams interventions
Digital Tax Initiatives benchmark expanded to include Brazil, Colombia and New Zealand