A symbiotic ecosystem – how Google contributes to the telecom sector

Plum prepared a major study exploring the mutually beneficial relationships that exist between participants in the telecommunications sector, including connectivity providers and online service providers. The study sets out a view of the wider telecoms sector and value chain, and identifies a number of mutually beneficial relationships that exist between sector players, and which serve[…]

Stimulating demand for 26 GHz in Europe

Plum Consulting launched a report that calls for European governments and regulators to prioritize the supply of 26GHz spectrum to accelerate the much needed rollout of 5G services across the European region and to enable its full potential. Commissioned by Qualcomm Technologies Inc. and Nokia, the report finds that incentivising innovation by ensuring mmWave spectrum[…]

Ethics in digital technologies

The omnipresence of digital technology in our daily life, its use and its impact on organisations and individuals, raises ethical questions about its role in our society. These concerns include consent and privacy, security, inclusion and fairness, protection from online harm, transparency and accountability. Notable examples include the Cambridge Analytica scandal and concerns about racial[…]

Regulation of spectrum transactions and assessment of competition impacts

Plum, working with London Economics, supported the Telecom Technology Center on a research project for the National Communications Commission (NCC) on the regulation of spectrum-related transactions and the assessment of competition issues associated with these transactions. Plum provided a series of reports which covering: 1) International developments around spectrum transactions (e.g. trading, leasing, sharing or[…]

State Aid evaluation of the superfast broadband programme: Impact on market, public sector, business and public value

Plum worked as a subcontractor to IPSOS on its 2020 superfast broadband State Aid evaluation report providing expert input on technology and other aspects of the rollout of superfast broadband in the UK. DCMS published the State Aid evaluation report in January 2021. The report can be accessed here.

Research into recent press sector dynamics

Report co-authored with Dr Gordon Ramsay, Dr Sami Stouli and Stephen Adshead Plum undertook a study for the UK Department of Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) that examined the current status of the local newspaper market and its relationship to democratic participation (measure by local election turnout). The study also included an extensive overview[…]

Market analysis and cost modelling of wholesale broadband in TRNC

Plum undertook a market review of the wholesale broadband marked for the Informational Technology and Communications Corporation (BTHK), the regulator in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). In addition to updating a prior market analysis, the BTHK wished to determine the efficient cost of supply of fixed broadband access by cost modelling. The market[…]