On 8 January, the national communications regulator Ofcom published its first combined review of the residential and business connectivity markets; the Wholesale Fixed Telecoms Market Review (FTMR).  Previously, the Business Connectivity Market Review was published separately from the residential Wholesale Local Access Market Review. The FTMR now covers a longer, 5 year period. Read more

As the 31 October 2019 deadline for the UK to leave the EU draws ever closer, uncertainty continues to remain as to whether any such departure will be accompanied by a “deal” (i.e. a version of the Withdrawal Agreement setting out arrangements for the UK’s withdrawal) or “no-deal”. Or indeed whether the October exit date … Read more

Earlier this week the UK government published the long-awaited Telecoms Supply Chain Review (available here), setting out its plans more heavily to regulate the UK telecoms sector in order to improve cyber security risk management, policy and enforcement. Read more

The ICO has fined EE £100,000 under the Data Protection Act 1998 (“DPA“) for sending text messages to customers without their consent, in breach of the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (“PECR“). Background In February and March 2018 EE sent direct marketing text message to customers informing them that they would soon be eligible … Read more

On 5 June 2019 the European Court of Justice (ECJ) clarified that a voice-over-internet protocol (VoIP) service is an “electronic communications service” (ECS) for the purpose of the Framework Directive (2002/21/EC) and is therefore subject to the applicable regulatory framework. In light of rapid technological change and continued convergence across the TMT sector, the case … Read more

Despite the rapid growth of international e-commerce, there are currently no multilateral rules regulating digital trade. On 3 May 2019, the EU made public its Communication to the World Trade Organisation ("WTO"), suggesting negotiating proposals for a series of WTO disciplines and commitments relating to e-commerce and telecommunications services ("Proposal"). Read more

On 26 March 2019, the European Parliament voted in favour of the new EU Copyright Directive (the “Directive”) marking the end of lengthy negotiations and delays. The aim of the Directive is to enhance the position of rights’ holders in relation to the use of their material on the internet but, in particular, Articles 11 … Read more

At the European level, on 24 January 2019 the European Commission announced the adoption of an amendment to Decision 2008/411/EC that will harmonise the radio spectrum in the 3.4-3.8 GHz. As the 3.6 GHz band has been identified as the primary band for 5G in the EU, the amendment has updated the technical conditions of … Read more