UK telecoms regulation, Ofcom, General Conditions, numbering, spectrum, switching, enforcement
In short: Ofcom approved a second licence variation on 15 April 2026 allowing VodafoneThree to deliver direct-to-device satellite services over its 900 MHz mobile spectrum using AST SpaceMobile. It is the second UK non-terrestrial network authorisation after Virgin Media O2 in 1800 MHz. Consultation on the paired handset exemption Regulations closes 18 May 2026. By…
In short: Ofcom’s ban on existing third-party leases of Global Titles takes effect on Wednesday 22 April 2026. Only two narrow migration journeys are extended to 22 October 2026. UK mobile network operators and enterprise lessees of Global Titles, including messaging aggregators and CPaaS providers, must confirm their signalling path complies from that date. Fintechs…
In short: On 22 April 2026 Ofcom’s ban on leasing Global Titles comes into force for existing leases, closing the signalling route used to spoof UK mobile numbers from overseas. It is one half of an enforcement pincer. The other half is the consultation on new General Conditions for mobile messaging scams, which closed on…
In short: Four UK fibre altnet M&A transactions in Q1 2026 confirm the consolidation wave. The dividing line between a strategic exit at market metrics and a distressed lender-driven exit is debt repayment capacity: whether take-up generates enough recurring revenue to service the debt incurred during the build phase. Acquirers must assess CMA jurisdiction under…
In short: UK payment firms reimbursed £173 million to APP fraud victims in year one of the PSR’s mandatory regime under Specific Direction 20. The payments sector bears all reimbursement costs, but APP fraud originates across telecoms, social media and messaging platforms. The Q2 2026 FCA/PSR review will consider whether the current single-sector liability model…
In short: The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill does not impose NIS obligations on telecoms operators for their core network and service provision. NIS Regulation 8(1A) and the RMSP definition both exclude PECN/PECS providers. But the Bill catches operators’ IT suppliers as Relevant Managed Service Providers under ICO oversight, and operators running data centres above…
In short: Ofcom chair 2026: The government named Sir Ian Cheshire as its preferred candidate for Ofcom Chair on 8 April 2026, succeeding Lord Grade from 1 May 2026. Cheshire’s background in retail, consumer business and corporate governance, rather than telecoms or technology regulation, signals a regulatory emphasis on consumer outcomes during a critical period…
Quick answer. Gamma Communications confirmed on 7 April 2026 that it is in preliminary takeover discussions, commencing an offer period under the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers. Gamma reported 2025 revenue of GBP 645.8 million as a channel-led UCaaS and SIP trunking provider. The CMA will apply the UK merger control regime; a Phase…
On 3 February 2026, the Court of Appeal handed down judgment in On Tower UK Ltd v AP Wireless II (UK) Ltd [2026] EWCA Civ 43, settling a question that had divided the First-tier Tribunal and the Upper Tribunal. An operator that has been assigned only the benefit of a Code licence agreement is a…
UK fibre consolidation is splitting into two paths. On the happy path, a well-positioned altnet is bought at a premium by a scaled acquirer, as in nexfibre’s agreement to acquire the Substantial Group, the parent of Netomnia and YouFibre, announced in February 2026 and analysed in our earlier note, UK Fibre Consolidation: What the Nexfibre…
Ofcom confirmed its three-stage copper retirement framework in the TAR 2026-31. The second threshold consultation closes 12 May 2026. What operators and wholesale access purchasers need to know about the stop sell, charge control removal and full copper withdrawal timeline.
Ofcom regulates telecoms, broadcasting, postal services, spectrum and online safety in the UK. This guide explains what Ofcom does, its enforcement powers, and what the obligations mean for operators and platform businesses.