Public Affairs
All the latest public affairs news, analysis and insight, including legal, regulatory and political issues surrounding BT, Deutsche Telekom, Telefónica and Vodafone.
Game of two halves: Ofcom preps for next five years’ fibre investment
Ofcom declares its fibre strategy to date a success, but reiterates it was implemented with a long‑term outlook running at least over the course of the next review period.
Vantage Towers hopeful on ‘massive’ European small cells potential, with UK bringing the blueprint
MWC 2025: Head of Business & Product Development Jaime Abril paints optimistic picture of European market, but calls for regulatory shift and cultural change among MNO customers.
Telefónica puts finishing touches on Colombian exit plan
Telefónica and Millicom reach a formal agreement on consolidation of their Colombian businesses, preparing the way for Telefónica to exit the market. Movement also being seen on parallel effort to secure antitrust approval for transaction, and proposed buyout of government minority holding in Telefónica Colombia.
Orange, Eutelsat widen satellite services partnership
European pair to combine for Middle East and African satellite services, filling rural gaps and bolstering terrestrial infra.
‘Europe needs a DOGE’: Höttges looks to Musk for regulation blueprint
MWC 2025: Deutsche Telekom CEO Tim Höttges has led the usual calls for policy overhaul in Europe, this time offering a direct comparison between European MNOs’ challenges and T-Mobile’s ‘freedom’.
Vodafone, SpaceMobile to create European SatCo JV
Pair unveil plans to launch co-owned satellite services joint venture, with Vodafone locked in as SpaceMobile’s European partner of choice.
Digi, Vodafone close in on Telekom Romania mobile takeover approvals
Digi CEO Serghei Bulgac says regulators are looking at complex acquisition proposal, with feedback expected in the “coming weeks”.
New Telefónica boss plots strategy shift amid European ‘winds of change’
Strategic review to consider implications of “drastic changes” ahead in Europe, says new Group Executive Chairman Marc Murtra.
Telefónica Tech on a growth tear as reorg pays off
Telefónica Tech revenue surpassed €2bn in FY24 and the B2B services unit could be further bolstered through M&A following Group strategy review this year.
KPN inaugurates new TowerCo after completing (another) ABP tie-up
Dutch operator launches Althio JV, with portfolio of 3,800 sites. Move aligns with strategic goals to increase value of passive infra while retaining majority control over critical assets…
German spectrum fracas latest: regulator urged to revise rules
A new twist has emerged in Germany’s ongoing spectrum saga as the Federal Cartel Office criticises the telecoms regulator’s plans for licence extensions this year, leaving mobile operators in doubt about the shape of their future spectrum holdings.