UK comms regulator Ofcom is to make millimetre wave (mmWave) spectrum across the 26 GHz and 40 GHz bands available for new mobile technology, including 5G services. This could deliver significant benefits by enabling large wireless data capacity and speeds. It can be used to improve mobile services and deliver innovative new services across the […]
Sky Italia is planning voluntary redundancies or job changes for 800 employees, on top of the 400 announced in 2021. The reorganisation plans were announced by Sky Italia CEO Andrea Duilio at the annual meeting with trade union representatives. The Italian pay-TV operator explained that the staff cuts are part of ‘an extensive upskilling, reskilling, […]
The Silicon Valley Bank failed on March 10th, leaving Roku, production platform Vimeo and RocketLab at risk until the Federal Government clarifies its position. Roku had some $487 million (€454m) in cash deposited at the bank, the USA’s 16th largest. RocketLab had $38 million in its SVB account, although in a statement it said this […]
Spanish DTT channel 7NN is pulling out of the nationwide DTT market, to focus just on Madrid to save costs and avoid closure. The channel has axed 50 per cent of its staff and is planning to move to a new headquarters to cut costs. 7NN was launched in October 2021 airing a 24/7 news […]
SpaceX’s Starlink broadband-by-satellite service has slashed its deposit fees on dozens of countries. New subscribers in many countries can sign up for as little as $9 (€8.40) instead of the – to date – $99 (and as high as $599 in the past) for the Starlink kit. Countries such as Turkey can access Starlink for […]
Spanish telco Telefónica is facing a €6 million fine for breaking legal conditions imposed by competition and markets regulator CNMC in respect of its Movistar Fusión convergent offer. The regulator has imposed that fine on the grounds that Telefónica was obliging subscribers to sign permanent clauses and for charging them by cancelling the subscriptions before […]
Action is being taken across Ireland to crack down on illegal streaming. Legal warnings are being delivered in person, by post, and by email to individuals across the country involved in providing illegal access to premium TV content, including from Sky and the Premier League. The cease-and-desist notices instruct those running the services to immediately […]
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is consulting on whether undertakings given by British Sky Broadcasting Group remain appropriate or need to be varied, superseded or released. The consultation will review merger undertakings given by British Sky Broadcasting Group plc in 2001 following a transaction in which it increased its shareholding of British Interactive […]
The UK House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee MPs is to question Dame Melanie Dawes, Chief Executive of Ofcom, on the organisation’s work as the regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries. The session on March 14th is likely to explore a range of broadcasting issues, including the BBC’s operating licence, content […]
Following the announcement on October 17th 2022, Vodafone Group has confirmed the completion of the sale of 50 per cent of its German FTTH company to Altice. The creation of the JV, called FibreCo, received European Commission approval in February 2023. FibreCo will deploy fibre-to-the-home to up to 7 million homes in Germany over a […]