Public Affairs
All the latest public affairs news, analysis and insight, including legal, regulatory and political issues surrounding leading telecom and infra players.
What the EU’s critical communications plan means for telcos — Strand Consult
Guest analysis: Strand Consult examines how the EU’s proposed multibillion-euro, 2030–36 critical communications framework could create new mobile network demand, while raising questions over investment, remuneration, and excising High-Risk Suppliers.
Telco CEOs press Brussels for certainty as EU works through regulatory changes
Executive Briefing: The debate over Europe’s telecom future intensified in Brussels as executives from United Group, TIM, and MEO challenged policymakers on spectrum rights, merger approvals, cybersecurity mandates, and the continent’s pace of innovation.
Orange Business gains second SecNumCloud visa for AI focused cloud offering
Orange Business has secured a second SecNumCloud 3.2 qualification, strengthening its position in France’s rapidly evolving sovereign cloud market just as trusted cloud requirements become increasingly embedded in law.
TalkTalk: BT takes the spoils, private equity takes a bath
In-Depth Analysis: The collapse and swift sale of TalkTalk has thrust BT into an unprecedented role as self-appointed industry saviour, ‘safeguarding’ millions of customers while attracting scrutiny from regulators, rivals, and policymakers — and highlighting the shortcomings of TalkTalk’s brief private equity ownership.
CMA flags substantial competition concerns as nexfibre/Netomnia dealt major blow
In-depth: The UK’s Competition & Markets Authority has delivered a significant setback to nexfibre’s proposed acquisition of Netomnia owner Substantial Group, arguing the deal would materially weaken competition in wholesale broadband markets.
BT: ‘national champion’ initiates saviour-mode for TalkTalk rescue
‘National champion’ is reportedly preparing to swoop on forlorn TalkTalk as vultures circle overhead, exploring whether its age-old national-interest argument retains traction to mop up millions of stranded subscribers, many already with Openreach, should growing fears materialise that the top-five ISP is running out of financial runway.
Orange backs startup Biolevate in pharma AI push
Orange Ventures co‑led a Series A funding round for the health‑tech specialist.
Kenyan High Court rules to unwind Vodacom’s Safaricom takeover
Just months after celebrating taking control of Safaricom as a ‘defining moment’, Vodafone’s African arm now faces prospect of enforced €1.4bn deal unwind. From Midrand to London, execs must now confront complex balance-sheet unravelling and regulatory exposure.
SFR takeover: unions call for strike action over workforce concerns
Union opposition to the proposed break-up of SFR intensifies, with employee representatives launching legal action and planning strike activity as they seek stronger protections and greater clarity.
UK fibrecos gasping for air as Openreach discounts ‘take oxygen out of the system’
In-depth: Openreach’s wholesale discounting strategy has become the latest battleground in the UK fibre wars, with altnet leaders urging Ofcom to intervene more aggressively while the incumbent insists it is simply competing on price.
ITS promotes collaboration before ‘toolkit’ consolidation in “tough market”
Daren Baythorpe, CEO at UK B2B fibre wholesaler ITS Technology, believes the next phase of telecoms consolidation could look very different from the last. The B2B wholesaler boss argues that investors may increasingly combine complementary infrastructure assets rather than pursue straightforward fibre-network mergers.