There has been a significant increase in scams, with losses for some consumers having risen by almost 45%. Regulators are mostly tackling it with information campaigns and working with telecom operators, but legislation has not been forthcoming
The challenges of phasing out 2G and 3G
The case for switching off 2G and 3G networks is becoming more compelling. Experiences from where it’s happened show that operators should plan well in advance and communicate extensively with customers to minimise possible disruption
From ex-post to ex-ante: the shift in oversight of Big Tech
Fines levied against Big Tech from ex-post competition investigations have totalled more than £14bn since 2017. But competition authorities are now gaining powers to prevent anti-competitive conduct ex-ante, rather than wait to intervene once it’s happened
Improving information on 5G coverage
5G is now available in 300+ locations of the UK. So far, only EE has fully explained how it defines a location as covered. Ofcom could play an important role in helping consumers assess coverage claims, much like its equivalent in South Korea does
Telecoms and Big Tech under a Biden administration
The Biden administration is expected to bring significant change for telecoms and Big Tech. Overhauling broadband policy to foster competition and reduce the gap between urban and rural areas, restoring net neutrality rules, and continued restrictions on Chinese equipment vendors all seem likely
The increasing importance of data in antitrust reform
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.
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.
The FTC has been the toughest on Facebook so far, but it may not be enough
The fine approved by the FTC against Facebook on 24 July 2019 amounts to almost $5bn. It is far higher than any fine issued in the EU under GDPR so far, and could have been even higher, with Mark Zuckerberg also held personally accountable for the company’s conduct.
Reform of CBRS in the US shows how the FCC values scale in 5G
US regulator the FCC has reformed the rules of the Citizen Broadband Radio Service (CBRS). The changes make licences much longer and wider in geographical scope; this will be seen favourably by the largest mobile operators in the country, whereas small local players will now struggle in obtaining licences.
The debate on privacy regulation in the US has unequivocally begun
On 26 September 2018, the Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee of the US Senate hosted a hearing with representatives of ISPs (AT&T, Spectrum) and tech companies (Amazon, Apple, Google, Twitter). The hearing examined privacy policies of those companies and reviewed the current state of consumer data privacy regulation in the US.
