The World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 (WRC-23) has concluded with what mobile industry trade body the GSMA describes as “groundbreaking” spectrum decisions that will shape the future of mobile communications. Governments agreed on new mobile low-band spectrum (below 1 GHz) and mid-band spectrum in the 3.5 GHz and 6 GHz ranges. The GSMA welcomed these outcomes […]
An Ofcom investigation has found that an episode of The Live Desk, which aired on GB News on July 7th 2023, broke broadcasting due impartiality rules. The programme promoted a GB News branded campaign, ‘Don’t Kill Cashʼ. The campaign called on viewers to sign a petition for Government to introduce legislation to protect the status […]
An arrest warrant has been issued for a former Samsung Electronics official accused of giving semiconductor technology information to a Chinese chipmaker, as South Korea reportedly cracks down on industrial espionage. The claimed cost of the espionage is said to be $1.77 billion. A Seoul judge on December 15th issued the warrant, the Seoul Central […]
SES is suing Intelsat with a claim for a greater share of the FCC’s compensation scheme for the two satellite operators giving up certain C-band frequencies. The long-running arguments over how the FCC’s overall compensation was allocated continue to resonate between SES and Intelsat. Intelsat on November 13th had argued that the SES claim (“typically […]
Two men thought to be behind an illegal operation selling illicit television subscription packages across the UK have been arrested. Simultaneous warrants at residential addresses in Harlow and Chigwell in Essex, Waltham Cross in Hertfordshire, and Lanarkshire in Scotland resulted in the men being arrested on suspicion of fraud, money laundering, and intellectual property offences. […]
The Federal Communications Commission has reaffirmed the Wireline Bureau’s prior decision to reject the long-form application of Starlink to receive public support through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund programme, based on the applicant’s failure to meet the programme requirements. The programme, which uses scarce universal service funding collected from consumers, sought to expand access to […]
Following a vote in the European Parliament Plenary regarding the IMCO (Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection) INI (Own-initiative procedure) Geoblocking report Grégoire Polad, Director General of trade body ACT, stated: “We salute the decision taken today in the European Parliament. This is a strong and powerful signal sent to all legislators and […]
UK comms regulator Ofcom is issuing new guidance to broadband providers to ensure consumers are given clear information about their service when signing up to a new deal. Under the guidance, broadband firms must now tell consumers about the network that underpins their broadband service and must only use terms that are clear and unambiguous. […]
Telecoms customers must be told upfront in pounds and pence about any price rises their provider includes in their contract, under new consumer protection plans set out by regulator Ofcom. With most major phone, broadband and pay-TV companies now including mid-contract price rises linked to uncertain future inflation, Ofcom is concerned that customers’ contracts do […]
UK broadcast regulator Ofcom is consulting on proposals for a new licence for Channel 4, ahead of its current licence expiring on December 31st 2024. Ofcom audience research shows that Channel 4 remains a valued part of the UK’s broadcasting landscape. It also continues to deliver content promoting new and diverse voices and perspectives and […]