Public Affairs
All the latest public affairs news, analysis and insight, including legal, regulatory and political issues surrounding leading telecom and infra players.
Nandy plugs ‘gaping hole’ in UK rules, as InfraVia applies pressure on Netomnia deal
The UK government looks to plug a regulatory gap exposed by TalkTalk’s collapse, expanding its ability to intervene when telecoms deals threaten critical infrastructure or service continuity. At the same time, InfraVia is turning up political pressure over the separate nexfibre-Netomnia battle.
UK mobile players shun call for tighter rollout governance
Rural cell site landlords are calling for stronger oversight of how mobile infrastructure operators do business with their land suppliers, amid claims of unfair treatment. Sector players insist existing regulation is working well, however.
Orange CEO still confident on SFR timeline despite workforce discontent
SFR unions are challenging the takeover process and warning over thousands of potential job losses, but Orange is sticking to its plan. Q3’s record customer additions and stronger guidance give Christel Heydemann reasons for optimism elsewhere.
Digi warns of existential threat as Portugal looks to maintain low-band spectrum squeeze
Digi has threatened to reconsider its future in Portugal if regulators lock existing spectrum holdings in place into the 2040s, spotlighting a fight over whether investment certainty for incumbents should trump opportunities to rebalance competition.
Telefónicawatch: Operators link up on European defence
Analyst Briefing: Spanish incumbent forms tie-ups with European peers DT, Orange, Vodafone, and NOS as it seeks to cement its industrial credentials and gain a leading role in sovereign regional satcomms and defencetech. Also in focus are MVNO partnerships, AI and APIs, and fibre M&A.
UK debate over how to power AI infra escalates
Microsoft’s withdrawal from Nscale’s Essex project has reignited questions about whether the UK can deliver AI infrastructure on commercial timelines.
nexfibre refuses to blink as CMA deadline for remedies passes
In-depth: UK fibreco’s owners have refused to offer remedies for the proposed Substantial takeover, challenging the antitrust authority’s view of how competition would develop without the deal and putting pressure on the regulator to reconsider its Ofcom-informed assumptions.
UK telcos lobby for government assistance on energy bills
Execs from BT and VodafoneThree call for a major rethink on network power fees to reflect telcos’ Critical National Infrastructure responsibilities.
Vodacom afforded ‘fast-track’ appeal as courts threaten to unravel Safaricom deal
South African operator secures stay of execution and accelerated appeals process, but the threat remains that Vodacom may be forced to unwind its $2bn move to take majority control of Safaricom…
European altnet associations unite on call for copper-to-fibre migration certainty
European fibre associations unite under the Digital Networks Alliance banner, advocating for firm copper-to-fibre migration timelines and regulation to prevent anti-competitive practices from major operators. Trio of German organisations among founding members, as the country grapples with its fibre regulatory framework…
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.