Digital platforms deliver digital services such as e-commerce, social media, and a wide variety of cloud-based services. Until very recently digital platforms were virtually unregulated, but now it is recognised that the rise of these platforms has also created problems. There is now a growing consensus that this should change – specifically how should digital[…]
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[…]
Access to affordable and adequate broadband services is becoming increasingly important, as the digital component of national economies continues to grow. In this paper, we focus on the question as to how policy and strategy can be developed to enable efficient rollout of broadband services meeting the needs of rural areas, using the UK as[…]
This paper provides a case study on how the UK is attempting to incentivise full fibre rollout (whereby every premises has a direct fibre connection), and the challenges which these proposals pose. In the past, the UK was the first to introduce the ideas of anchor product pricing and wholesale pricing freedoms. These were subsequently[…]
We provided a diligence review for a private equity firm in support of a funding deal with a UK-based fixed wireless operator. Our work included management dialogue, review of dataroom materials, market assessment, technology architecture and dimensioning, and cost assessment. A report on risk assessment was presented to investors to advise on progressing the deal.
Plum supported London Economics in carrying out an economic assessment of the acquisition by HKBN of WTT for the Hong Kong regulator OFCA. The merger analysis considered the impacts on potentially affected markets, including retail and wholesale fixed services, and took into account market trends and the implications of technology developments on supply and demand[…]
Commercial 5G services launched in April this year in South Korea and the US, and it is expected that 5G mobile services will have been launched by operators around the world by the end of 2019. A new style of mobile package is emerging; 5G packages seem to be characterised by substantial (or unlimited) data[…]
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[…]
Traditionally, an incumbent telecoms operator is vertically integrated and delivers all functions – network build and operations; product design and development; and retail sales and service. This integration carries a tension between the incumbent’s role as provider of wholesale services to its competitors, and its activities as a retail competitor. Around the world regulators and[…]
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[…]