On 21 October, Ofcom announced that it was revising its guidance on net neutrality. Otherwise referred to as ‘open internet’ net neutrality is the principle that users of the internet should be in control of what they see and do online – rather than the providers. Rules on net neutrality

Continue Reading Ofcom consults on more liberal net neutrality guidance

[This is an updated version of my earlier blog piece from July to take account of revisions agreed through the legislative process since then.]

The new European Communications Code (the “Code” – which I have blogged about here) will introduce a mechanism allowing investments in fibre networks made by
Continue Reading Co-Investment Models for Broadband Infrastructure – an explanation and short critique (updated)

**NOTE – THERE IS AN UPDATED VERSION OF THIS NOTE HERE **

The new European Communications Code (the “Code” – which we have blogged about here) will introduce a mechanism allowing investments in fibre networks made by operators with significant market power (SMP), in some circumstances, to be excluded
Continue Reading Co-Investment Models for Broadband Infrastructure – an explanation and short critique

**NOTE THERE IS AN UPDATED VERSION OF THIS POST HERE**

It is now almost two years since the European Commission proposed a new “European Electronic Communications Code” (the “Code”) which would amend and consolidate the current regime (dating from 2002). [i]

On 29 June 2018 a new, amended, draft was published. This is expected to go to a final vote in the Autumn of this year.

The Code will, when finalised, repeal the existing 2002 Directives and replace them with a single, consolidated text, for implementation in Member States within two years. Having spent some time reading through the (c.450) pages the main changes or issues appear to be as follows:Continue Reading The new European Electronic Communications Code

This note consolidates information we have available on the current (July 2017) status of telecoms regulator’s considerations of zero-rated offers in Europe. See also our other posts on zero-rating.

Conclusion:

  • Many European regulators are yet to consider the issue of net neutrality and zero-rated services following the 2015


Continue Reading Zero-rating and net neutrality – decisions (so far) in the EU

As new technologies emerge, and are treated differently across jurisdictions, businesses need to stay alert to changes in the regulatory landscape

The chief disruptors in telecoms today are found in new media companies – businesses that often did not originate in the telecoms sector but who are increasingly challenging the
Continue Reading Telecoms: the challenge of keeping up with cross-border regulation

I have already blogged a few times (eg here about perverse effects of net neutrality rules being applied always and everywhere as if there were some sort of human right to equal treatment of internet traffic. Specifically i expressed particular concern about the idea that there must be something wrong,
Continue Reading Net Neutrality, Zero-Rating (again) and frustrations of EU red-tape