With differing appetites and priorities for regulatory reform, the EC is keeping its cards close to its chest in terms of what the eagerly anticipated DNA could propose
MWC25: Final reflections
The halls were packed, the production value was high and the on-site catering was expensive: in short, there were very few surprises
The changing ownership of former incumbents
As some European governments are reducing shares in domestic operators, others are actively raising their stakes, often to protect strategic national assets
Extending spectrum licences in Germany
The Bundeskartellamt argues that conditions attached to the proposed extension of spectrum usage rights would harm new entrant 1&1 and hinder wholesale competition
The impact of a new entrant on prices
The BIPT sees the mobile market in Belgium developing strongly, with new fourth operator DIGI already triggering a reaction from the incumbents
Strengthening broadband advertising rules in New Zealand
The Commerce Commission identifies cause for further intervention to boost transparency from operators and simplify consumers’ contract exit rights
Germany’s Gigabit Offensive
Despite more public funding and new legislation to accelerate network deployments, the Government has been accused of prioritising mobile connectivity over fibre
Spectrum: Annual licence fees to be reviewed in the UK
While Ofcom will only review the amount charged rather than the regime itself, the EU is considering broader changes to spectrum management practices
Germany: Long-awaited restrictions on Huawei and ZTE
Mobile operators have agreed to phase out the firms from their 5G networks, with almost 20 other countries already having imposed restrictions on equipment vendors
EC: Protecting competition in a changing world
DG COMP research shows that mobile prices in the EU are consistently lower than in the US, but that consolidation tends to increase prices and may not deliver greater investment
