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.
GDPR is almost here, but it will not change the world in a day
The most talked about day of the last two years is almost upon us. The European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will come into force tomorrow, promising much stronger rights and safeguards for users’ personal data. For now, the main effect it has had has been, paradoxically, to irritate the very people it is supposed to protect, due to the deluge of emails we have all received from companies seeking fresh consent.
Are DPAs ready for the consistent approach required by GDPR?
Among the significant changes it will bring about, the GDPR includes detailed rules for Data Protection Authorities to adopt consistent approaches and interact more regularly and effectively with one another. To this end, the newly founded European Data Protection Board will play a key role in overseeing the consistency mechanism created by GDPR. Assembly’s research shows there are still striking differences in funding and staff across DPAs.
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.
How are European data protection authorities approaching GDPR?
The entry into force of GDPR is now imminent. Assembly’s Privacy and Data Protection Tracker has analysed and compared the approach taken by Data Protection Authorities in various countries, to prepare businesses for the new regulation. Differences in approaches across countries remain, although the pan-European nature of GDPR means companies can find useful insight in the activity of all DPAs across the EU.
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.
Where next for the regulation of Facebook?
After the emergence of large-scale data breaches on Facebook’s platform, CEO Mark Zuckerberg accepted to appear before the respective parliamentary committees of the US Senate and Congress. The hearings highlighted that US politicians are now turning their attention to social media platforms, but have no coherent plan (and unclear intentions) on the measures to adopt. At the same time, there are clear indications that the EU’s GDPR will become a benchmark for data privacy worldwide.
Ofcom completes UK 5G spectrum auction
Ofcom has today announced the outcome of the principal stage of its auction to release airwaves for 4G mobile and future 5G services in the 2.3GHz and 3.4GHz bands. In the auction, Vodafone spent the most of all operators, O2 acquired all of the available spectrum at 2.3GHz and and BT/EE's share of spectrum fell as per the auction rules.
Facebook’s privacy practices will now face thorough scrutiny
What started as criticism for not doing enough to spread disinformation online is now quickly escalating into inquiries about the way in which Facebook allows third parties to access its users’ data. Allegations that Facebook’s data have been misleadingly obtained, and used to profile approximately 50m users to run targeted political campaigns, have now prompted the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate the company’s privacy practices.
