Public Affairs
All the latest public affairs news, analysis and insight, including legal, regulatory and political issues surrounding leading telecom and infra players.
Hungary’s 4iG faces major probe into Orbán era state contracts
Hungary’s new government has opened a corporate investigation in the country’s recent history, placing telecoms, defence, and technology conglomerate 4iG under intense scrutiny as it reviews years of state-backed expansion.
‘All we can do is file lawsuits’: 1&1 still awaits low-band spectrum resolution
German challenger is unable to offer a firm timeframe for resolution of dispute over sub-1GHz airwaves that could bolster its transition to full MNO status.
France’s fibre players told to raise quality game as market shift looms
Regulator’s latest quality-of-service scorecard scolds some fibrecos, even as France boasts fibre market leadership among European peers. Further reset imminent as SFR takeover progresses…
BTwatch: 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…
ruhrfibre insolvency marks latest sign of German altnet financial struggles
German altnet and sister business metrofibre file for insolvency, marking latest signs of financial distress in the German fibre market. Decision comes as other altnets explore solutions to get onto a firmer financial footing, as investors warn of incoming wave of refinancing deals…
Bouygues 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.
Italian 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.
Indian infra giant Indus secures go-ahead for African entrance
Towerco wins regulatory approvals and operating licences to launch in three African markets, with build-out expected to commence in the coming months. CEO Prachur Sah aims to create “strong foothold” in Africa, as first orders from anchor tenant and shareholder Airtel come through…
US to pay $10bn+ to Eutelsat, SES to clear ‘super band’ 5G/6G spectrum
Massive payout shores up finances for European satellite duo in return for setting aside Upper C-band GEO spectrum and transitioning services, freeing capacity for a 5G/6G ‘super band’ of frequencies in the US.
Ofcom wields TAR in move to block Openreach fibre discounts
For the first time, the regulator intends to direct Openreach to withdraw proposed new fibre customer pricing, citing an ‘unfair’ and ‘aggressive’ approach from the incumbent. Ofcom puts the Telecoms Access Review into action, altnets welcome the move, and Openreach accuses the regulator of protecting rivals’ “poor business models”. Final decision pending…
Starter 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…