Ofcom’s Plan of Work 2026/27: What It Means for Telecoms Investment and Transactions
Ofcom’s Plan of Work 2026/27 shapes telecoms investment, altnet consolidation and compliance. Analysis of what it means for operators and dealmakers.
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UK Fibre Consolidation: What the Nexfibre Deal, the SSP and the Access Review Mean for Transactions
The Nexfibre-Netomnia deal, the government Statement of Strategic Priorities and Ofcom Telecoms Access Review 2026-31 together set the framework for UK fibre infrastructure transactions. What advisors and investors need to know about deal structuring in a consolidating market.
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Ofcom’s Telecoms Access Review 2026-31: Five More Years of Regulated Fibre Investment
Ofcom published its Telecoms Access Review 2026-31 on 17 March 2026.
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Telecoms Regulation | EU | UK
The EU Digital Networks Act unpacked
Quick answer. The European Commission’s proposed Digital Networks Act would replace the 2018 Electronic Communications Code with a directly applicable Regulation, consolidating spectrum, access and infrastructure rules across the EU. The European Commission has published its proposal for a Digital Networks Act (DNA), the most substantial reform of EU telecoms regulation in over a decade….
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Ofcom’s Connected Nations 2025: Rising Data Demand and the UK’s Rapid Shift to 5G Standalone
Quick answer. Ofcom’s Connected Nations 2025 report confirms UK mobile data usage rose 18% year-on-year, 5G standalone networks cover 83% of the UK population from at least one operator, full-fibre broadband reaches 78% of UK premises, and over one million households have stopped using a landline. The report is the primary independent data source for…
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EU Digital Omnibus: simplification or new complexity for digital and AI regulation?
Quick answer. The European Commission has proposed a Digital Omnibus Regulation amending the GDPR, ePrivacy Directive, NIS2 and the Data Act, and repealing or consolidating several overlapping measures. The Commission’s Staff Working Document estimates annual administrative cost savings to business of over EUR 1.3bn once implemented. UK controllers processing EU residents’ data should track the…
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When Regulators Regulate Themselves: The UK judiciary and data protection regulator (ICO) guidelines for internal AI use
Quick answer. The Judicial Office and the Information Commissioner’s Office have each published internal AI use guidelines for their own staff. The guidance is operational, not directed at industry. It illustrates the UK’s sectoral approach to AI governance: existing bodies publishing rules for their own use within their existing remits, rather than a horizontal AI…
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UK Online Safety Act 2023: what platforms must do now
Quick answer. The Online Safety Act 2023 imposes a statutory duty of care on UK-accessible user-to-user services, search services and online publishers. Ofcom is the regulator and has moved into phased enforcement: illegal harms codes from March 2025, child safety codes from July 2025. Operators must classify their services, complete illegal harms and children’s access…
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The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025: What It Means for UK Businesses
The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (DUAA) introduces sweeping changes in UK data regimes, from smart-data schemes and digital verification services to amendments of the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR. Rob Bratby of bratby.law guides UK businesses through compliance, strategic opportunities, and contract implications. Essential reading for counsel, transaction teams and commercial leaders.
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New UK data protection law proposals
This article was published in June 2022 and reflects the regulatory position at that time. For current guidance on this topic, contact Bratby Law or see our latest insights.
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New security obligations on UK telecoms providers
This article was published in June 2022 and reflects the regulatory position at that time. For current guidance on this topic, contact Bratby Law or see our latest insights. Quick answer. The Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021 amended the Communications Act 2003 to impose new network security duties on UK communications providers, with detailed requirements set…
