UK wireless regulation and strategy support

Plum was engaged by a leading fibre network telco operator in the UK, to review the threats and opportunities brought with developing wireless technologies such as fixed wireless access, mesh networks, and cellular systems including 5G. Our work included a review of both technology and commercial developments in the UK wireless market, and a corresponding[…]

Mobile network termination: calling time on 2G and 3G

As operators start planning their 5G deployment, one important question that should not be overlooked is what should be done about existing 2G and 3G networks. The rationale for phasing out legacy networks is to ensure that spectrum is refarmed to the most efficient technology and by doing so reduce operating costs and optimise the[…]

5G: the rural opportunity

Plum was engaged by a UK-based wireless services operator, to assess new commercial models for 5G deployment and assess related benefits in rural areas. Our work included detailed review of emerging regulation on spectrum management and policy issues. We also carried out primary research to assess stakeholders’ needs in rural areas, and built commercial and[…]

Future supply of and demand for telecommunications infrastructure in Hong Kong

Plum undertook a study for the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB), Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The purpose of the study was to review the existing telecommunications infrastructure capacity in Hong Kong. It comprised identifying a set of assessment indicators to assess its adequacy; development of benchmarks to assess the supply[…]

Next generation wholesale leased circuits cost model

The Taiwanese regulator NCC has taken a decision to adopt a cost-oriented approach for the regulation of next generation wholesale leased line services. To support the NCC in deriving appropriate wholesale prices for these services, Plum was commissioned to build a bottom-up long run incremental cost (LRIC) model. Plum, working alongside the Telecom Technology Center,[…]

Preparing the UK for an all-IP future

The UK’s Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) currently provides voice services to millions of households in the UK, and the underlying analogue technology also supports a range of data services for both domestic and non-domestic applications. However, the analogue/electrical based network technology that currently enables the PSTN is coming to the end of its life[…]

Use cases, spectrum requirements and valuation of spectrum for private LTE

These reports examine use cases, spectrum requirements and valuation of spectrum for use by private LTE. The first report defines private LTE, considers environments where private LTE might be used focusing on industrial automation and identifies what spectrum these applications will need. To do this it sets out a methodology to characterise the identified private[…]

A Taxing Problem – the impact of tax on small businesses

Following our previous reports on the total cost of administration to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and the impact of late payments, this study examines the issue of taxation on SMEs. For many new and small companies, profit margins can be very low, particularly when the cost of finance and building up stock is taken[…]

Wholesale local access charge control cost modelling – external review

Plum was appointed by Ofcom’s Competition Group (Financial and Economic Modelling Division) to carry out an external and independent review to assess the quality of a series of LRIC modelling workbooks and associated documents, in association with the wholesale local access charge control WLACC market review in the UK. Our work included a detailed review[…]