Despite no supporting evidence, there has been a vocal group claiming 5G causes adverse health effects. In response, regulators have been publishing measurements of radio emissions from telecommunications equipment, which revealed that 5G emissions are still far from the maximum limits set out in national and international guidelines. Some regulators are also having to combat widespread disinformation on a link between 5G and the coronavirus pandemic, which has sometimes resulted in mobile infrastructure being vandalised.
The industry’s response to COVID-19 so far
The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way people interact with each other all over the world. Given the essential need for connectivity, regulators and policymakers have been swift to change their priorities and focus on ensuring network resilience and support for consumers. In this note we share some of the measures regulators and policymakers have been taking, along with those of the operators, and identify some of the challenges that lie ahead.
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.
Where are we after 18 months of GDPR?
The EU’s General Data Protection Regulation is 18 months old. Governments of 19 EU countries made submissions to the European Council in preparation for the first review. They highlight some gaps in the legislation, with particular regard to cross-border cooperation and enforcement, monitoring of codes of conduct, and to the need for GDPR to retain a forward-looking view so that it does not stifle technological development.
Telecoms operators are increasingly customer-centric
Telecoms operators are moving towards a model where the customer is at the centre of everything they do. This is primarily happening as a result of the industry adopting an omnichannel approach, ensuring that customers are able to get the full value from the services they consume.
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.
BEREC on wholesale access, roaming, and net neutrality
In the second plenary meeting of the year, which took place on 12–14 June in Ghent, Belgium – BEREC launched four new consultations to develop guidelines across a range of topics. Other significant developments included the adoption of a document on the response to the European Commission for the review of the Recommendation on Relevant Markets.
Germany’s 5G auction comes to a bitter end
After nearly three months of bidding, the multi-band auction of 5G spectrum in Germany across the 2GHz and 3.6GHz bands has come to an end. The length of the auction resulted in a high price (€6.5bn), especially considering the award did not include sub-1GHz frequencies.
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.
