The European Commission is about to launch a public consultation on Online Platforms. The consultation is part of the Commission’s strategy to implement the Digital Single Market for Europe, unveiled on 6 May 2015. The Commission’s strategy comprises 16 initiatives and is aimed at creating the right conditions and a level playing field for digital…
DetailsCommercial analysis: With the recent announcement of a string of high-profile mergers and acquisitions in the telecoms sector, Daniel Preiskel, partner, and Natalia Porto, associate, at Preiskel & Co LLP, take a look at the effects and challenges of consolidations in the industry. What is driving the spate of mergers in the telecoms sector? European…
DetailsThe Culture, Media and Sport Committee has launched in inquiry into the coverage, delivery and performance of superfast broadband in the UK. The inquiry also covers progress being made in extending and improving mobile coverage and services. Written submissions are welcome and may be sent to this link. The same Committee recently interviewed Sharon White…
DetailsOn 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…
DetailsOfcom 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…
DetailsToday 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…
DetailsYesterday (15 July) the Mexican Telecoms Regulator (IFT) published the MVNO licence guidelines for public consultation. http://www.ift.org.mx/industria/consultas-publicas/consulta-publica-del-anteproyecto-de-lineamientos-para-la-comercializacion-de-servicios-moviles-por The market in Mexico for MVNOs could be very attractive as part of the Red Compartida initiative of the Ministry of Communications and forthcoming auction process for a wholesale wireless broadband operator on 700MHz. As part of the…
DetailsOfcom 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…
DetailsFrom 1 July 2015, calls to Freephone numbers, starting with 0800 or 0808, will be free to call from mobile phones as well as landlines. The changes introduced by Ofcom are part of an initiative named UK calling, which also envisages to clarify charges for consumers making calls to service numbers – starting 084, 087,…
DetailsFollowing the European Commission’s proposal for a telecoms single market in September 2013, the European Parliament, Council and Commission have finally reached an agreement on rules for safeguarding the open Internet in the EU – a principle known as net neutrality. Net neutrality is a principle that internet traffic should be treated without discrimination. This…
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