All Political articles
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M&ACMA 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.
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M&ABT: ‘national champion’ initiates saviour-mode for TalkTalk rescue
Analysis: ‘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.
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M&AKenyan 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.
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Network & InfraEC earmarks Greenland as AI infra base
Greenland mulls data centre construction — alongside enhanced satellite connectivity and other digital infra projects — as investment target using fresh European financing, as businesses keep watch on the territory as a geographically advantageous region for new digital infra…
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Strategy & ChangeColao and Niel join Draghi-led push for Europe’s competitive revival
Ex-Vodafone CEO and French telecoms mogul join Mario Draghi’s new think tank pushing for “urgent action” around European competitiveness, as the continent moves to reset telecoms regulation…
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Network & InfraCzech MNOs land spectrum boost with coverage caveat
New proposals lay out long-term spectrum extension for O2, T-Mobile, and Vodafone, in return for expanded obligations around network reach and resilience.
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Public AffairsHungary’s 4iG faces major probe into Orbán era state contracts
A corporate investigation by Hungary’s new government has placed telecoms, defence, and technology conglomerate 4iG under intense scrutiny as it reviews years of state-backed expansion.
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Analyst BriefingBTwatch: fibre dividend emerges, Ofcom bares teeth on promos
Analyst Briefing: stubborn numbers but signs of things to come as BT’s Q1s leave the Group on track for near- and mid-term guidance; Openreach knocked back as Ofcom moves to block pricing change; and TelcoTitans considers the implications for the Group of a new UK Prime Minister…
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M&ABouygues CEO says SFR review could stretch into 2028
Olivier Roussat appears less confident than his opposite at Orange that the deal will be completed before the end of next year, as originally hoped.
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Network & InfraItalian towers industry ‘stalled’ as INWIT–MNO contract dispute rumbles on
INWIT chief Diego Galli delivers a stark warning on the future of Italy’s telecoms infra market, arguing that contract disputes with key tenants and uncertainty over spectrum renewal are freezing investment at a critical moment for national connectivity.
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Deep DiveStarter for No 10: the key digital infra demands awaiting the UK’s new Prime Minister
Deep dive: Andy Burnham built his political reputation around regional growth in Manchester. Digital infra leaders now want to know whether those principles will translate into a coherent national strategy for fibre, mobile networks, data centres, and digital infrastructure investment, as the industry enters a pivotal moment…
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Analyst BriefingUK Infrawatch: clues emerge of improving altnet sector health
Analyst Briefing: Latest from the digital infra scene in the UK, including the latest in fibreco results season, Aberdeen investment going south, Grain embraces network growth, Project Gigabit gets a funding boost, and plenty more…
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Network & InfraUK infra body sees Project Gigabit progress as DSIT ups budget
The government is signalling confidence in Project Gigabit, increasing funding and reaffirming delivery targets even as concerns persist over supplier finances, rollout delays, and the long-term viability of parts of the fibre market.
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Public AffairsEU’s DNA faces pushback, with MVNOs wary of spectrum rule changes
MVNOs World: With the upcoming Digital Networks Act, the EC aims to create a fresh start for the region’s telecoms industry and provide a much-needed boost to the bloc’s competitiveness. But it seems few see the norms, as proposed, as likely to deliver the galvanising force the Commission intends, with challenger players remaining concerned they will have to take one for the team as the EU bids to shore up their incumbent network operator rivals.
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M&ACMA uprates Netomnia–nexfibre investigation to Phase 2 as altnets call for ‘urgency’
Altnet buyer nexfibre gets pragmatic and skips straight to the in-depth competition review, keeping hopes alive for completion before the end of the year. The UK’s fibre scene is set to change, but the CMA will now decide the extent.
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B2BVodafone chases defence opportunity with centralised German hub
European B2B chief Hagen Rickmann heads a move to consolidate and ‘bundle’ defence-related operations in Düsseldorf to target the sector “more strongly”, meet growing demand, and go head-to-head with rival telcos.
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Network & InfraBT joins exclusive telco cohort in Anthropic’s frontier AI security project
Telco is the first UK business to confirm Project Glasswing participation, and the first European telco on the list, gaining early access to a frontier AI model aimed at pre-empting next-gen cyber threats.
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M&Anexfibre’s Datta: ‘corner shop fibre’ is dead, the UK needs an infra megamart
Interview: proposed £2bn acquisition of Netomnia is sparking fierce debate across the UK broadband sector. With industry heavyweights trading blows over duopoly fears and infrastructure overlap, discover why CEO Rajiv Datta believes this consolidation is crucial to challenging Openreach.
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M&ATelcos welcome ‘long overdue’ EC draft merger guidelines
Telcos now have the opportunity to provide informed feedback as the long‑awaited draft on European Union merger guidelines is published.
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Financial & PerformanceVi secures government dues breather as attention turns to infra investment
Vodafone-backed Indian operator confirms AGR liabilities slashed by a quarter to ease debt burden and offer some relief for the challenged MNO as it invests in significant 4G/5G expansion.