Public Affairs
All the latest public affairs news, analysis and insight, including legal, regulatory and political issues surrounding leading telecom and infra players.
The EU’s DNA has landed, but receives lukewarm industry response
While telco groups have welcomed the prospect of spectrum reform to provide greater investment certainty, copper switch-off plans and a new approach to ‘fair share’ earn a far more mixed reception…
‘No other choice’: 1&1 to sue BNetzA over spectrum extension move
Challenger operator CEO Ralph Dommermuth tells Handelsblatt that he intends to sue the regulator for spectrum licence extension decision that “ruled out” 1&1. “This is not OK”…
EU resetting copper switch-off to ‘mandatory but conditional’ 2035, pressuring slow-mo incumbents
In depth: leaked draft of EC Digital Networks Act reveals copper shutdown ambitions delayed by five years. Incumbent, copper-overweight operators like Deutsche Telekom look set to face heat if new enforcement capabilities introduced. Other highlights include spectrum trading, easing up on regional consolidation, and streamlining oversight…
Orange to continue to sell ADSL subs in some areas for another year
Customers in around 8,000 municipalities in France will still be able to buy copper‑based broadband services until 2027 after closure deadline is extended.
Vodafonewatch: M&A ripples in Europe, debt reprieve in India
Analyst Briefing: European M&A, some of Vodafone’s own making, shifts the Partner Markets landscape; AGR pressure lifted for Vi as India’s gov commits to reassessment; and reports suggest change in the office for OXG Glasfaser ownership…
Hungary’s 4iG gears up to become third 5G player in North Macedonia
Reports indicate that spectrum licences have been awarded to 4iG unit One Macedonia, although official confirmation is still pending.
Vodafone Peoplewatch: CSR influence secured, Ventures leadership renewed
January 2026 update: Vodafone sustains influence in the industry’s CSR alliance, adds a COO to recently acquired B2B services provider Skaylink, and names new Vodafone Ventures leadership…
Deutsche Telekomwatch: T.Capital gets defensive; DT nets another home win
Analyst Briefing: Past week’s developments include confirmation that Telekom Deutschland has hit its headline 2.5 million FTTH homes target for 2025, and the Group has added another defence-focused partner to its T.Capital ecosystem…
Telefónica secures deal to sell Hispam B2B interests
Spanish group agrees a multi-layered deal to offload Telefónica Tech businesses in three Hispam markets but while also ensuring its maintains services for MNC clients.
Vodafone to face MPs as franchisee ‘scandal’ escalates
Vodafone executives are set to meet with MPs as more allegations emerge about the operator’s franchising operation, raising political interest in the case that Vodafone considers a mere “commercial dispute”…
Telefónica trims Spanish job cutback plan in bid for union deal
Talks continue between employee reps and bosses over Group’s latest planned round of cutbacks.