All Legal (compliance, regulatory) articles – Page 20
-
Public AffairsViasat’s Inmarsat takeover hits political debris
US satellite operator’s planned acquisition of UK rival (and Deutsche Telekom partner) prompts national security concerns as critical infrastructure given state protection. New foreign takeover law affords Whitehall power to intervene, which looks increasingly likely.
-
Public AffairsEU operator heavyweights want media players to pay their way
Top brass at Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica, and Vodafone get shirty (again) over network investment “burden”. Sign off on open letter accusing video streaming, gaming, and social media groups of ‘piggybacking’ unfairly. Urgently call on European legislators to introduce rules for a “more proportionate” way of divvying up ...
-
Public AffairsAlierta era scandal still haunting Telefónica
Telefónica pays €6m into court to cover potential civil liabilities linked to trial of disgraced former advisor Rodrigo Rato. Newspaper speculation portrays Rato’s co-defendant, former Telefónica counsel Sánchez de Lerín, as “the man with the briefcase of secrets” linked to the telco. Rato litigation an ongoing hangover from earlier ...
-
Network & InfrastructureVodafone Portugal suffers “terrorist” cyberattack
Mário Vaz, Vodafone Portugal CEO, says recovering from “terrorist” incident will be a “lengthy” job. Data, SMS, voice, and TV services impacted, with emergency services forced onto contingency connectivity plans.
-
Public AffairsM-PESA cleared for Ethiopian launch
State Minister of Ethiopia’s Ministry of Finance anticipates wider Safaricom launch “sometime in April”. M-PESA app will be introduced to a new market of 116 million people. Question marks remain regarding third telecoms licence in the country.
-
PremiumElsewhere in Hispanoamérica: Movistar Peru fails penalty appeal
Telefónica Colombia doubles up on sustainable borrowing; Telefónica Peru back in naughty corner as Osiptel probes unauthorised SIM card vendors.
-
M&AOi mobile sale hits another road bump
Brazil’s Federal Prosecutor’s Office (MPF) representative at antitrust regulator CADE gives thumbs down to proposed sale of Oi Group’s mobile assets to Telefónica|Vivo, Claro Brasil, and TIM Brasil. Non-binding decision cites competition concerns and recommends “administrative proceedings” to investigate collusion among trio to exclude other interested companies. Oi says ...
-
Public AffairsOTE handed €9m fine for data protection failings
Greek operator deemed to have infringed on GDPR law in 2020 data leak. Fines handed to Cosmote mobile operator and OTE Group parent.
-
PremiumElsewhere in Brazil: Vivo signs solar deal with Helexia
Group makes customer satisfaction pledge; Vivo ramps up solar project.
-
PeopleOpenreach’s McTighe ‘steps away’ from Ofcom chair search
Mike McTighe, Openreach Chairman, reportedly withdraws from the search for an Ofcom chair. Now nearly two years in the making, the process is yet to find a clear frontrunner despite a number of names floated. Ex-BBC supremo Michael Grade is the latest hat in the ring.
-
M&ARegulator approves Oi sale
Decision confirmed, subject to conditions, after Brazilian regulator Anatel postponed ruling last week. A board member had asked for additional time to review sale to a consortium featuring Telefónica|Vivo, Claro Brasil, and TIM Brasil. Final approval still required from competition authority CADE.
-
Public AffairsSafaricom staff caught in police “trap” after data fraud
Court hearing details how two Safaricom employees were caught attempting to sell subscriber data. Operator commits to fraud reduction initiatives.
-
Partnerships & AlliancesEWE ‘committed’ to Telekom Deutschland fibre JV
‘Complaint of non-admission’ submitted to Federal Court of Justice after it revoked approval of TDE-EFE joint venture late last year. Glasfaser Nordwest was deemed “illegal” following controversial 2019 launch
-
Public AffairsTelefónica handed EC fine for Brazilian non-compete deal
Decade-long proceedings close with Telefónica — along with Pharol — ordered to hand over €79m for antitrust breach. European Commission findings upheld despite yo-yoing, with final charge held for Telefónica and down slightly for Pharol.
-
Public AffairsOfcom details O2 UK ‘carelessness’ in billing investigation
Regulator publishes 74-page document highlighting the extent of O2 UK feet-dragging in its investigation as to why the operator overcharged customers during a seven-year period. Demands O2 UK review its processes and systems to ensure accuracy and completeness of responses to information requests in future. Restates view that £150,000 ...
-
PeopleOpenreach’s McTighe emerges as frontrunner for Ofcom chair
Mike McTighe, Chairman at Openreach, reportedly on the shortlist to oversee regulator. Drawn-out search for Lord Burns’ successor sees another BT-affiliated name on the cards.
-
PremiumElsewhere in UK: VM O2 augments EV fleet
VM O2 augments EV fleet; becomes founding member of National Databank to provide free data to low-income households.
-
-
Network & InfrastructureCNMC backs Telefónica on ‘irregular’ duct occupation
New rules will see Telefónica able to cut off operators that install cables without permission. CNMC employs MARCo regulation to draw up three new procedures.
-
PremiumElsewhere in Telefónica Group: operator in line for tax refund
Ecosystem building in quantum and cloud data; tax refund boost