Public Affairs
All the latest public affairs news, analysis and insight, including legal, regulatory and political issues surrounding leading telecom and infra players.
EC cites need for ‘European champions’ as merger guidelines review looms
In depth: Anticipation builds as first sighting of revised EU merger guidelines is slated for April, and telcos are busy lobbying for an M&A rule change…
VM O2 inches closer to Starlink mobile services launch
Operator secures Ofcom approval to use existing 1800MHz spectrum for imminent direct-to-device product O2 Satellite.
T-Mobile boss pledges balance on spectrum spend
US telco is committed to maintaining its spectrum leadership, but will not buy frequencies at any cost.
UK: Freedom Fibre-Truespeed combine as cashed-up consolidator
In-depth: Strongly-backed, M&A-proven duo merging to create scaled, integrated altnet with 400,000+ footprint in England, boasting rare financial headroom in debt-laden sector, and positioned to drive further consolidation (and fill a Netomnia void?)…
Belgium yet to finish off its fibre Plan B
Orange Belgium CEO indicates it may not gain clarity on pivotal fibre tie-up with incumbent Proximus until late-2026. Their plan forms part of a major planned reorg of sector that was initiated back in 2023 but remains locked in regulatory review.
France forbids sale of Eutelsat’s ‘strategic’ ground infra unit
Sovereignty-sensitive French government blocks proposed sale of passive ground infrastructure to EQT, citing need to maintain control over “strategic” comms assets. Eutelsat assures the decision will not impact its strategic expansion plans, although it has adjusted its short-term financial targets…
Transformation-focused Nokia gears up for AI ‘supercycle’
While telcos remain important customers for the Finnish tech vendor, it is transitioning from a “very telco‑centric” base and embracing the “AI supercycle”.
Telefónica to aid hyperscalers on infra, service compliance in Spain — report
Telco reportedly assisting Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Oracle to ensure they maintain compliance with Spanish data and security regulations, amidst the Group’s broader push to deliver compliant and sovereign services in Europe…
Telefónica takes another step towards Colombian exit door
Millicom, prospective buyer of Telefónica Colombia, ticks off another item on its to-do list for the takeover with a tidy-up of the ownership of its own local business.
Kenyan lawmakers question Safaricom valuation ahead of stake sale
Vodacom’s plan to acquire a controlling stake in Kenya’s Safaricom has attracted fierce scrutiny, with MPs calling for a rethink to secure a fair price and protect against foreign interference…
German fibre players cautiously welcome BNetzA’s copper switch-off plans
German telcos and industry bodies issue guarded welcomes of German regulator’s latest regulatory plans to enforce copper shutdown in parts of the country, although timeline for the switch-off still not firmed up…