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Vodafone and Three in merger talks

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

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

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.”

European telcos seek network investment from Big Tech and streamers

European telcos seek network investment from Big Tech and streamers

Matthew Howett, an analyst at Assembly Research, said tech groups were right to point out that they already contributed to content delivery. “The question is therefore whether it’s enough to meet the demands placed on network infrastructure providers.”

Although previous attempts at changing the rules in Europe have not been successful, Howett suggested that policymakers’ greater awareness of the environmental benefits of network upgrades, and of the importance of connectivity during the Covid-19 pandemic, may pave the way for a different outcome.

Holographic David Attenborough points the way for 5G connectivity

Holographic David Attenborough points the way for 5G connectivity

Matthew Howett, founder of Assembly Research, admits that 5G may have appeared to be “just another ‘G’” up until now. But he says standalone is set to “enable a whole host of new use cases that we’ve probably not even thought of yet”, while providing the networks needed to turn “perceived pipe dreams of smart cities and autonomous vehicles into a reality”.

He adds that the transformation of UK factories and plants into 5G standalone test beds will make Britain a more attractive place to invest.

Activist Cevian takes aim at Vodafone

Activist Cevian takes aim at Vodafone

Matthew Howett, an analyst at Assembly Research, said Cevian may call for Vodafone to shore up its UK business, where, unlike BT and Virgin Media O2, it lacks a fixed-line network of its own. "It could form closer relationships with CityFibre or TalkTalk,." Howett said.

Alternatively, analysts believe, Vodafone could push to buy Three. "It might want to do that before anyone else does," Howett said.

UK to phase out 2G and 3G by 2033

UK to phase out 2G and 3G by 2033

Assembly Research founder Matthew Howett told BBC News the change would probably come sooner than the government's 2033 deadline.

The switch-off will affect all sorts of older devices, such as 3G-only smartphones.

And it would be crucial for the government to act on behalf of consumers who may be slow to adjusting, Mr Howett said.

"There is an important consumer-protection dimension to all this," he said.

"You will of course have some people who may still rely on a 2G/3G-enabled handset to make calls in emergencies but also because devices such as smart meters run off the 2G network.

"Involving these stakeholders will be crucial to avoid disruption."

Squid Game sparks high-stakes battle for the internet

Squid Game sparks high-stakes battle for the internet

But telecoms are likely to push for further change. “They want more freedom to have a more commercial relationship with content providers,” says Matthew Howett, founder of consultancy Assembly Research.

That could, he says, see “operators striking deals with games makers to prioritise a particular update or traffic”.

And streaming companies argue they already invest heavily in technology that stops their traffic overwhelming mobile and broadband networks. “Netflix invests millions in content delivery networks to get its traffic to you,” says Howett.

Better connectivity will remove 750,000 lorries off Britain’s roads

Better connectivity will remove 750,000 lorries off Britain’s roads

In a report published today, communications industry analyst Assembly showed that connectivity will play a huge part in the UK’s transition to carbon neutrality.

“The UK is rightly seen as having world leading ambition when it comes to addressing the climate crisis and achieving net zero,” Assembly’s principal analyst and founder Matthew Howett said. “The telecoms industry should be seen as a precious ally of the government given what connectivity can do for all verticals, but transport in particular.

“The pandemic has given us a glimpse of what is possible if we rely more on connectivity, it must now be central to our Covid-19 recovery and path to net zero.”

Squid Game’s success reopens debate over who should pay for rising internet traffic

Squid Game’s success reopens debate over who should pay for rising internet traffic

We’ve not seen the widespread blocking or throttling of traffic that was feared,” says Matthew Howett, the founder of the telecoms consultancy Assembly.

“There is a stress testing of the rules going on,” Howett says. “The challenge is not a new one, it is about increasing margins and profitability for investors and they see revenue opportunities from those big content providers.”

Ofcom approves Openreach fibre price cuts, angering rivals

Ofcom approves Openreach fibre price cuts, angering rivals

Matthew Howett, an industry analyst and founder of research firm Assembly, told the BBC some degree of consolidation in the industry now seemed certain.

"If that results in giving stability and scale to those alt-nets in their competitive battle with the larger incumbents then ultimately that can't be a bad thing for consumers," he said.

"A competitive fibre rollout is arguably Ofcom's flagship policy and so any early indications the Equinox offer is having a negative impact for consumers you would think would be met with intervention. It's a bit like a pair of scales that are precariously balanced - we'll need time to see where they settle."

Can Adam Crozier help connect BT to a bright future?

Can Adam Crozier help connect BT to a bright future?

“I think a major move back into building sports rights and the pay-TV business is a long shot,” says Matthew Howett, an analyst at Assembly Research. “With potential movement in the future ownership structure of parts of BT it would be an unwanted distraction to move the focus from core connectivity back to content.”

Brussels faces test of its will to tackle Big Tech

Brussels faces test of its will to tackle Big Tech

Assembly Research estimates that of about 30 competition cases launched against Big Tech globally since 2010, a third were opened in 2020, with Europe by far being the most active. About five cases have been launched in Europe since the start of 2020 against Google, Amazon, Facebook and Apple.

EE aims for 5G coverage everywhere in UK by 2028

EE aims for 5G coverage everywhere in UK by 2028

In some remote locations, coverage will be "on demand" delivered by satellites.

"Affordability could remain a challenge with higher monthly rentals and considerable upfront costs. Subsidies could help bring those costs down," analyst Matthew Howett, founder of Assembly Research, told the BBC.

But Mr Howett said the expansion would help EE to position itself ahead of rivals - such as Virgin Media and O2 - among customers who value connectivity, whether rural or not.

"The importance of the network is only going to grow, particularly as more of the things we own and use become connected, and it's not just about the phone in our pockets.

"Whoever has the most advanced, widespread, secure and reliable network, is going to emerge the winner," he said.

BT sets sights on Elon Musk’s SpaceX after Oneweb satellite deal

BT sets sights on Elon Musk’s SpaceX after Oneweb satellite deal

“Satellite has long been touted as a solution to bringing broadband to the hardest to reach parts of the country, but has often failed to live up to expectations given costs and problems with latency,” said Matthew Howett, principal analyst at Assembly Research, who added that the lower orbit of Oneweb and Starlink’s satellites “should go some way to reducing problems of latency”.

“I wouldn’t be surprised to see partnerships emerge with others such as Starlink given BT and others will be looking for innovative ways to reach those remaining premises as part of their wider upgrade of the nation’s infrastructure.”

Elon Musk fights to rid rural Britain of sluggish broadband in battle with BT

Elon Musk fights to rid rural Britain of sluggish broadband in battle with BT

Starlink appears to have solved the issues of slow speed and inconsistent performance that have plagued satellite broadband. “The lower orbit nature of Starlink’s satellites should go some way to reducing problems of latency,” says Matt Howett, founder of Assembly Research.

Patrick Drahi - the cost-cutting billionaire who has swooped on BT

Patrick Drahi - the cost-cutting billionaire who has swooped on BT

Matt Howett, founder of Assembly Research, says: “To me it looks like they can see the potential upside from the enhanced fibre roll-out that has yet to be fully reflected in the current share price.

“I'd say the lack of a seat on the board is a fairly good indicator for now that Drahi isn't looking to embark on a change of direction.”