James Robinson, senior analyst at Assembly Research, said “direct-to-device” services would be an important part of finishing the “connectivity puzzle” but cautioned that they would “not be able to replicate traditional 4G and 5G networks”.
The UK is the first country in Europe to move ahead with D2D authorisation, while the EU is consulting on similar proposals until the end of the month. Similar services are already available in the US, Canada and Australia.
Hunt pushes to make UK ‘the world’s next Silicon Valley’
TMT analyst at Assembly Research James Robinson told City A.M. that whilst the UK have harboured world-leading ambitions for regulating Big Tech, this is yet to materialise.
“With the DMU so far only operating in shadow form, we are playing catch up to the EU, which has seen the DMA and DSA both enter into force,” he said.
Vodafone and Three make progress in merger talks
James Robinson, senior analyst at Assembly, a research firm, said a deal would reduce the number of mobile operators serving so-called mobile virtual network operators, which include the likes of Tesco, “potentially leaving them in a weaker bargaining position”.
He added: “The CMA might consider remedies to maintain retail competition, including requiring the merged firm to reserve a portion of network capacity for virtual players.”
Vodafone merger talks with Chinese-owned rival trigger alarm over undersea cables
James Robinson, an industry expert at Assembly, said: “While the parties might view consolidation as a way to improve returns and unlock shareholder value, we expect the CMA would be eager to protect against the risk of consumer price rises - particularly in light of the current cost of living crisis.”
Vodafone and Three in merger talks
James Robinson, from communication market analysts Assembly, said there would still be hurdles to overcome for the merged firm.
"A combined Three/Vodafone would boast a significant proportion of 5G [spectrum]," he said.
"While the parties might view consolidation as a way to improve returns and unlock shareholder value, we expect the CMA would be eager to protect against the risk of consumer price rises - particularly in light of the current cost-of-living crisis.
He suggested the merged firm may need to provide "legally-binding concessions" to reassure regulators.
Vodafone Confirms Potential Merger With Rival Three UK
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority “might consider remedies to maintain retail competition, including requiring the merged firm to reserve a portion of network capacity for virtual players,” said Assembly Research analyst James Robinson in an emailed comment, referring to “virtual” mobile network operators which don’t own their own networks, such as Tesco and Sky. He added that he expects the CMA will want to protect against consumer price rises amid a cost of living crisis in the UK.
Vodafone confirms talks with Three UK about merger
“While the parties might view consolidation as a way to improve returns and unlock shareholder value, we expect the CMA would be eager to protect against the risk of consumer price rises – particularly in light of the current cost of living crisis,” said James Robinson, a senior analyst at Assembly. “We would therefore expect this issue to be the most contentious point within a Three-Vodafone merger, and would potentially require legally binding concessions.”
