We summarise the main talking points from the Connected North conference that took place in Manchester during 17–18 April 2023
Spain: Orange/MasMovil JV heads for Phase II review
The impacts on competition, potential for higher prices and the EC’s preference for cross-border mergers all present a significant regulatory hurdle
Orange/VOO deal sparks telecoms restructuring in Belgium
A network access commitment secured the EC’s approval in Phase II, but further in-market consolidation now depends on the national competition authority
A wave of mobile market restructuring in Asia
While Europe pushes the idea of cross-border mergers, telcos will hope regulators follow Asia’s lead in approving in-market consolidation
Westminster eForum: Next steps for the UK mobile industry
Enabling consolidation, scrapping spectrum licence fees and departing from EU net neutrality rules were all highlighted as priorities for the sector
MWC23: Regulation & Policy roundup from Day 2
Sustainability and digital inclusion featured prominently as operators renewed their calls for regulatory reform in light of significant headwinds
MWC23: Regulation & Policy roundup from Day 1
Predictably, fair share dominated most of the opening day’s sessions, with renewed calls for consolidation a close second
ANACOM’s position on the Vodafone/Nowo merger in Portugal
Concessions on 5G-ready spectrum would probably be the bare minimum requirement to the transaction being approved
Canada’s Rogers/Shaw merger saga
In a concentrated market where prices are among the highest in the world, the divestment of Freedom Mobile now appears necessary to get the deal through
Ofcom’s future approach to mobile in the UK
No significant change in policy direction, but instead a commitment to enhanced monitoring and enforcement
