Andrea Coscelli

📢 CMA Provisional Findings on Vodafone-Three Merger 📢 The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has provisionally found competition concerns over Vodafone’s planned merger with Three UK in the UK. The investigation, led by an independent inquiry group, concluded that the merger could lead to higher prices or reduced services for millions of mobile customers, particularly affecting those least able to afford it. The CMA also found that the merger could negatively impact Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) like Lyca Mobile Group, Sky Mobile, and Lebara, which rely on existing network operators. Reducing the number of network operators from four to three could make it harder for MVNOs to secure competitive terms, limiting their ability to offer the best deals to retail customers. While the merger could potentially improve mobile network quality and accelerate 5G deployment, the CMA believes these benefits are overstated and that the merged firm might not have the incentive to follow through on its investment promises. To address these concerns, the CMA is considering measures such as ensuring fair wholesale access terms for MVNOs and ring-fencing a portion of the merged entity’s network capacity exclusively for wholesale customers. The CMA is consulting on these potential solutions and welcomes responses by 27 September 2024 for remedies and by 4 October 2024 for provisional findings. The final report is due by 7 December 2024. More information can be found https://lnkd.in/eqAAaKEn #CMA #VodafoneThreeMerger #Telecoms #Competition #MVNO #5G #MobileNetworks #UKBusiness #ConsumerProtection #InvestmentCommitments #TelecomIndustry #Regulation #MarketAnalysis #DigitalEconomy #MVOEurope

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techUK, via the industry group the Chips Coalition, has been working with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to advocate for the creation of a National Semiconductor Institute in the UK. This recommendation originated from the Infrastructure Feasibility Study led by Nicky Athanassopoulou at the Institute for Manufacturing (IfM), University of Cambridge. Since this, many techUK and Chips Coalition members have called on UK Government to bolster their support for UK Chips with this institute. We strongly welcomed it being announced yesterday on the one year anniversary of the National Semiconductor Strategy. UK Government should leverage the rhetoric of the National Semiconductor Strategy to deliver ambitious support to enable the UK semiconductor industry to thrive. We hope that the creation of this institute allows them to do just that. It is not possible to be a world leader in all aspects of the semiconductor value chain. However, it is critical to transform the National Semiconductor Strategy into action through targeted support for the semiconductor industry, delivering a strong return on investment across the public and private sectors. Achieving the UK’s fullest potential in this technology will require us to support existing leadership in areas such as IP, design and research, while concomitantly developing access to markets, talent, and facilitating growth in manufacturing and supply chains. All of this is  that will be essential to the future of UK chips. All of this is essential for the National Semiconductor Institute We look forward working with techUK partners and stakeholders in the coming months to understand the role this Institute can play, and turn this announcement into action. --- It has been an incredibly busy few weeks at techUK within the tech and innovation programme. I will follow up with a round-up of all recent activity in the coming days. For now, please interact with this important letter! A few thanks below: Russ Shaw CBE Charles Sturman Carson Bradbury Lawrence Lundy-Bryan FRSA Mark John Helen Duncan Hermann Hauser Suzanne Oliver Matic Boh Margherita Certo Jamie Potter Elis Thomas #semiconductor #chips #UKchips #techUK #unleashinnovation

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Getting hold of good beneficial ownership data to use as part of reform processes often relies on countries having effective legislation in place. In order to set out the technical characteristics of an effective legislative framework for beneficial ownership, my Open Ownership colleagues Favour Ime and Tymon Kiepe have produced this fantastic new piece of guidance https://lnkd.in/ekns4qWU #beneficialownership

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New from me: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) does not believe forcing Vodafone & Three to sell off spectrum will alleviate its competition concerns for their proposed merger. It also takes issue with the complexity of spectrum divestment, instead preferring investment commitments. “An MNO entrant remedy would be high risk in the UK and would not present a sufficient degree of certainty of achieving its intended effect, i.e. the entry of a new MNO that compensates for the loss of competition resulting from the Merger,” the paper says. Citing advice from the regulator, Ofcom, the CMA says that spectrum divestment remedies in other countries have been “relatively unsuccessful in restoring a fourth operator,” adding that it remains difficult for any new operator to gain market share, “regardless of how much spectrum is divested”. The paper cites the US as an example of the uncertain impact of this remedy. In 2019, Sprint agreed to sell its 800 MHz spectrum portfolio to Dish Network as part of a merger with T-Mobile. But Dish has yet to emerge as a competitive fourth operator.

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The UK Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers (#DMCC) Act introduces broad changes to the #MergerControl regime. In this podcast, Julia Woodward-Carlton, Peter Harper , Claire Morgan and Laura Wright discuss the crackdown on killer acquisitions, changes to jurisdictional thresholds and merger investigation procedures, as well as new mandatory merger reporting requirements that businesses need to be aware of. Listen now: https://lnkd.in/eVjhhgB5 #Competition #MergersAndAcquisitions 

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Wrap-up of #digitalID with Emma Thwaites of Open Data Institute - talking the debate & #data 3/3 📹 following Progressive Britain parliamentary event on this topic. For other earlier videos check out my previous posts.

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  Since the UK government called a general election, the news has been filled with headlines on opinion polls. Some have been misleading. One regional newspaper led with a local party’s claim that it was close to beating the incumbent MP in the area – a conclusion they came to via conversations with constituents on doorsteps. For those of us in the research sector, this method of canvassing opinion raises obvious questions over how representative the sample can really be and how objectively questions may have been framed.   The party here fell short in its duty to use data responsibly in its campaign.    However, journalistic scrutiny when writing about public opinion is just as important. Reporters must be alive to the warning signs of inaccurate or misleading polls and either avoid putting their results in front of audiences or be absolutely forensic in presenting them – and their limitations – clearly and transparently.    The media plays an important role in helping the public make informed decisions when they head to the ballot box – and in holding our politicians to account. To do that effectively, though, accuracy and responsibility must be their watchwords to avoid spreading misinformation.    For more information, read MRS and IMPRESS’s guidance on using surveys and polling data in journalism: https://lnkd.in/edwYrF7E  

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We've now updated our sanctions guidance - the key changes are: 💬 References to the newness of the sanctions regime have been updated throughout to reflect its more established status. 💬 The document has been restructured to move key information relevant to all firms to the top, followed by specific guidance for firms operating under the sanctions regime. 💬 Additional feedback showcasing good practices from recent sanctions inspections has been incorporated throughout. 💬 Controls for all firms: A new case study has been added to illustrate how firms may inadvertently become involved in the sanctions regime. 💬 Red flags for attempted circumvention of the sanctions regime: Updated red flags now include self-reporting responsibilities and the need to screen staff during onboarding. 💬 Reporting requirements: These have been clarified, and a new section has been added on when you must report to us. 💬 Licensing: Further clarification on staying compliant with licence responsibilities has been provided. 💬 Other resources: We have updated links to external information. Read the updated guidance here: https://lnkd.in/etujhPEb

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Today, the Hungarian presidency kicked off a 'stockpiling' exercise to inform future EU initiatives on the relationship between AI and copyright. The focus is finding practical solutions for reservation rights, whether specific measures are needed to protect AI-generated outputs, remuneration schemes for using copyrighted content for AI model training, and how to attribute liability for copyright infringements. https://lnkd.in/eeweBGcT

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https://lnkd.in/efJ6QYgW I wrote a quick take on the impact of last week's Budget on business. The really big debate to come is whether the Government can plan investment so cleverly that its effect on business is crowding in, not out. Meanwhile, the impact on hiring incentives is negative, and some of the tax reforms we need are yet to be seen.

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The Economist calls on David Lammy and the UK government to step up efforts to tackle dirty money by: 1) improving transparency of land ownership involving trusts; and 2) finally getting the Overseas Territories to open up access to their beneficial ownership registers #beneficialownership

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Curb Your (chilling) Enthusiasm In the continuing constitutional ping-pong of Parliament placing checks and balances on state bodies, the FCA has responded again to Treasury Committee questions on consultation proposals to publicise enforcement investigations before any guilt has been proven. To give you the background, on 8 May 2024, the House of Commons Treasury Committee published a letter it has sent to the FCA, raising questions in relation to the FCA's proposals to publicise enforcement investigations before any action is taken. So naming and shaming without a trial. The committee published the FCA's response, comprising one letter from Therese Chambers and Steve Smart of the FCA and a second from Nikhil Rathi, FCA Chief Executive.   In the first letter, Ms Chambers and Mr Smart responded to the committee's specific questions. In the second, Mr Rathi comments more generally on the consultation process, responses and next steps. His points include: •         The FCA has not yet completed a detailed assessment of the extensive range of responses. However, at a high level and as widely reported, the industry view records "generally strong opposition" to the FCA's proposals. Concern has focused on the implications of an increase in transparency on the international competitiveness and growth of the financial services industry, and reputational impacts. Consumer groups and groups representing retail investors have tended to view the proposals significantly more positively, and there have been supportive responses from certain law enforcement partners and also those with experience of dealing with whistleblowers. •         The FCA recognises the issues raised "are sensitive and can be emotive". It will spend several months carefully considering the feedback received and further engaging with stakeholders, including HM Treasury, to explore the concerns. As part of this, the FCA will consider any evidence shared with it about the implications for international competitiveness and growth. It hopes for a measured debate as this engagement continues. •         The FCA is clear that change and a degree of greater transparency are necessary, but it remains open-minded on ideas for addressing the issues identified. Its aim is to build a broad consensus and understanding, so that all parties can have confidence in the FCA's approach to enforcement. It is worth noting that separately, the House of Lords Financial Services Regulation Committee has criticised the FCA's proposals and intends to launch an inquiry. While writing I would like to draw readers attention to another on-going matter which to my mind reeks of undemocratic over-reach by the state into the private finances of individuals. Follow this link to learn more: https://lnkd.in/e6DH_Bw6

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Looking forward to a panel session with a brilliant group tomorrow including Joe Perkins Zoe Mcleod Vladimir Parail Tim Schittekatte Michael Grubb Xeni Dassiou at City University on "Energy Regulation for Technology and System Changes in the Net Zero Transition". It's an enormous subject that can't be solved in 2 hours, alas, but we will discuss many of the big questions: network regulation, system operation, charging reform, and how to achieve positive distributional outcomes from the transition. Not too late to sign up.

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Regulation might not be the most exciting topic for everyone, but it's vital for keeping us safe, benefitting the economy and improving our lives. Interesting research from the Institute of Regulation highlighting three key areas which would help improve the effectiveness of regulators.

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Trying out #AI for public policy & chatting AI trends with Barry T Whyte of General Purpose: AI Training for Business For what Emma Evans & I deemed #AIMonth - I tried out an AI prompts class thanks to Tom Hewitson In summary I'll def be using the LLM we talk about in the video to turn public white papers and other large text docks into podcasts 👇 Any ways you've been using AI for public affairs?

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Having the technology available to meet a regulatory obligation is one thing. Having the people and process available to effectively use it is another. #People #Process #System

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Our daily election update is super snappy and an ideal primer for your day ahead! Sign up using the link below #GE24 #GeneralElection2024

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