Other noteworthy regulatory developments week ending 26 March 2021 from the Assembly Analyst team
Ofcom's 700MHz and 3.6–3.8GHz auction raises £1.36bn
Operators got a good deal for the 700MHz spectrum – but may still have to pay more for the 3.6–3.8GHz airwaves depending on the next phase
UK regulators get serious about cooperating to tackle the big issues
The Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum will tackle complex areas such as encryption and algorithms
UK competition authority investigates Apple’s app store
The CMA opens a probe very similar to the one pending at the EC level, in a further sign that the UK is about to go after Big Tech in a meaningful way
European Commission to grant data adequacy to the UK
The UK’s current alignment on GDPR meant this didn’t come as a surprise, but does mean the UK will have to stick to the same standards in the future
Ofcom fines O2 £10.5m for overcharging outgoing customers
UK Parliament Science and Technology Committee warns Government to learn from 5G security risks
The report pours water on the Government’s signalling that OpenRAN is the silver bullet to the problems faced with Huawei.
Regulators in UK and Belgium look at broadband switching
Ofcom has proposed a new ‘one touch’ process, and the BIPT recommends operators promote the ‘Easy Switch’ process.
Rumours around the next Ofcom chair
UK newspapers are reporting that the Government could choose the current editor in chief of the Daily Mail for the role.
Potential changes to the UK’s Electronic Communications Code
The UK Government has launched a consultation to change the rules on access to land to help operators deploy digital infrastructure.
