Ofcom's announcement is part of the wider narrative and background work which has been taking place between government, regulator and industry lately. Many will be encouraged to finally see a more joined-up and collaborative approach emerge. This announcement though should be seen as a directional document, the detail of which will follow in the relevant market reviews Ofcom carries out. This note considers the steps Ofcom have outlined and the subsequent reaction and follow-up by key industry stakeholders.
UK Government unveils long-awaited Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review
In publishing the review, the Government has set a clear course to accelerate improvements to the UK’s digital infrastructure. While many recommendations have been presented, it’s clear this is only the beginning of change. The suggestion is that much of this will fall to Ofcom to refine, implement and enforce. In this note we look at the main recommendations coming out of the FTIR and consider how they are likely to be met by the industry.
The debate around the use of the term ‘fibre’ in broadband advertising heats up
The ability to use the term ‘fibre’ in broadband advertising has been subject to debate in several countries recently. In France and Italy regulators have recognised the need to distinguish FTTH or FTTB from FTTC, and to make sure customers are adequately informed on the type of service they are purchasing. The discussion is also lively in the UK, where advertising authorities have recently taken a different stance. However, it is not yet clear whether technology differences matter to customers as much as performance.
An assessment of the new European Electronic Communications Code
Early in the morning on the 6th of June 2018, it was announced that the EU had finally reached a long-overdue agreement on the new Electronic Communications Code, which will replace the existing regulatory framework of the EU telecoms market. A full text of the draft was only released early in July.
Telstra joins the growing number of telcos opting for network separation
Telstra’s recent announcement that it will create a standalone business for its fixed infrastructure is part of the company’s decision to go through a thorough restructuring. Yet, while this is an independent business decision, it is hard not to link it to changes in the country’s telecoms landscape due to regulatory and policy choices. Telcos in other countries are making similar moves, and in all cases regulation plays either a direct or indirect role.
Discontent around the new European Electronic Communications Code is no good thing
On 6 June 2018, the EU announced a political agreement on the long-awaited European Electronic Communications Code. Stakeholders across the board are unhappy; however, the favourable treatment of wholesale-only networks could solve some long-standing problems facing wholesale access regulation over the last 20 years.
Three UK’s road to 5G leadership
On 6 June 2018, Three UK held an analyst event focused on recent network developments, spectrum holdings and plans to launch 5G. While specific details around their 5G launch remain under-wraps, there’s a clear ambition to be a leader from the start. The recent acquisition of fixed wireless access broadband provider Relish, and success in the recent Ofcom auction have positioned Three well to extend their footprint and what can be achieved.
BT reshapes consumer division
Following last week’s Q4 results, today we saw how BT Group plans to implement its new strategy starting with the reshaping of its consumer division. There were a number of announcements made, the most important of which we have summarised here.
BT – Q4 results and the biggest shake-up in a decade
After a two year slide, during which the share price has practically halved, trust and confidence amongst BT's investors needs to be rebuilt. Accordingly, the company has announced its biggest overhaul in a decade which sees cost stripping and job losses but also new hires and investment.
South African government should listen to industry’s concerns about the Telecoms Bill
Following several drafts, the latest of which was published in November 2017, the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services of South Africa (DTPS) is currently redrafting the Electronic Communications Amendment Bill, with the view to finalise legislation by early 2019. The bill introduces several major changes.
