European Commission continues to focus on payment network competition law issues

On 9 July, the European Commission sent MasterCard a Statement of Objections in relation to (i) cross-border acquiring restrictions impeding cross-border payment acquisition, and (ii) inter-regional fees charged when cards from outside the EU are used within the EU. The case fits into a wider pattern of EU competition law enforcement, and indeed competition enforcement…

Ofcom has launched second phase of its strategic review of digital communications

Ofcom has announced the second phase of its strategic review of digital communications. The review was launched in March to examine competition, investment, innovation and the availability of all digital communications services. Ofcom expects to receive some guidance on future regulatory approaches for the next 10 years, including to address challenges such as the future…

Commissioner Vestager sets out priorities for the Competition Commission

Today Commissioner Vestager has been questioned by the Committee on Economic Affairs on the current position of the EU Commission on competition matters. She has outlined what her priorities were and then has been questioned by a few people on specific topics. Commissioner Vestager’s priorities are the following: DSM Google (android & advertising) Amazon (distribution agreements…

Ofcom fines MNO for failing to comply with Ofcom’s rules on handling customer complaints

Ofcom today fined EE (trading as 4GEE, Orange and T-Mobile) £1m for failing to comply with Ofcom’s rules on handling customer complaints. The investigation is part of the communications regulator own-initiative monitoring and enforcement programme on complaints handling pursuant to General Condition 14 . Ofcom’s investigation over EE  found that, over the period investigated – from…

General Condition 22: New UK switching rules for broadband

  Since 20 June 2015 (the “Harmonisation Date“), General Condition 22 (Service Migrations and Home-Moves) (the “GC 22“) has been fully implemented.  GC 22 came into force last year but its full application in respect of broadband services (and its harmonised application to fixed telecom and broadband services) was delayed until the Harmonisation Date. From…