Ongoing initiatives of antitrust reform have three things in common. Firstly, data is increasingly seen as an asset that can determine whether a market is competitive or not, and could represent a barrier to entry; secondly, authorities demand stronger powers to monitor big tech and act against them, sometimes even ex-ante; and thirdly, markets are increasingly seen as global rather than national in scope. But it remains unclear whether all governments will follow through with legislation.
Strengthening security for consumer IoT
On 27 January 2020, the UK Government published its policy position on security in consumer IoT. In deciding not to launch a voluntary labelling scheme, the Government recognised it wouldn't have the intended effect to improve customers’ awareness about the security of the IoT products they purchase. This is in line with what is taking shape at the European level, where the European agency for cybersecurity has also found the need for more specific legislation.
A look at Ofcom’s wholesale broadband proposals
Ofcom has published a draft of the UK’s Wholesale Fixed Telecoms Market Review for the period 2021–2026. The review takes into account the faster pace at which full fibre deployment has happened over the last two years, and the role played by alternative operators. The concern for some infrastructure builders is the time it will take to get the enabling regulatory environment in place if they are to meet the Government’s ambitious connectivity target.
What will be keeping regulators busy in 2020?
As we start 2020, we look ahead to the key issues regulators and policymakers will grapple with over the coming 12 months. We consider four broad areas: the first year of work for the new European Commission; the development of 5G (with regard to spectrum awards and network security); broadband policy and roll-out; and the approach to regulating platforms and big tech.
Ofcom proposes ‘regulatory sandboxes’ for online markets
With the publication of a position paper on “Online market failures and harms”, the UK regulator Ofcom weighs in on the international debate on how to regulate tech companies. The paper identifies useful aspects for other regulators to consider, and suggests experimenting with remedies through ‘sandboxes’ before extending them to the wider market.
The desire to facilitate consumer switching continues
Regulators have done extensive work to facilitate consumers’ ability to switch providers, to foster competition and consumer benefit. Yet switching is still seen as a pain point in some countries. In recent months, initiatives to help customers become proactive in choosing a new contract have taken place in the UK, Japan, and Germany.
UK Government aims to lead efforts in tackling online harm
The UK Government recently published a white paper with a broad set of proposals to tackle online harm. These include a new regulatory framework, to establish a duty of care for online companies for the first time, and the set-up of a specific regulator to enforce the new rules.
Ofcom changes approach to regulating fixed telecoms markets
On 29 March 2019, the UK regulator Ofcom set out its initial approach for the next Fixed Telecoms Market Review, which will cover the years 2021–25; for the first time, a market analysis will have a time frame longer than three-years. Ofcom’s main objective is to ensure competition continues to develop, while at the same time supporting the recent surge in fibre investment.
The Fake News inquiry is over, but there’s no legislation in sight
The Committee for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport of the UK Parliament (DCMS Committee) has now completed its inquiry into Fake News, which lasted throughout 2018. The inquiry started as an investigation on the spread of disinformation and its role in influencing elections, and soon turned to the link between tech companies’ practices and the protection of citizens’ personal data.
Ofcom seeks to improve mobile coverage through spectrum awards and sharing
Rural mobile coverage continues to be an issue in many areas of the UK. While the latest Connected Nations report from Ofcom shows improvements compared to previous years, it also finds a significant part of the country is lacking sufficient coverage and will not be in a better place anytime soon, unless action is taken.
