Throughout 2023, European network operators have been vocal in describing difficulties when it comes to their ability to invest in network infrastructure. However, a European Commission consultation on the matter could not reach a consensus on what the problem was, nor on any potential solutions. In any case, the starting point of their argumentation is[…]
Plum carried out a study supporting the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to assess barriers to connectivity and adoption of digital services in the Cheshire and Warrington area in the North-West of England. The study analysed the availability and reach of digital infrastructure in the region. It also investigated demand-side barriers to take-up[…]
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[…]
In July 2022, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and Ofcom published a joint statement on online safety and competition in digital markets.[1] The statement follows the introduction of the Online Safety Bill to the UK parliament in March 2022. The current draft of the Online Safety Bill requires firms in scope – including[…]
Plum was recently engaged to develop the latest ASEAN Digital Masterplan (ADM 2025). The ADM takes stock of the current state of digital development in ASEAN, and envisions ways for the ASEAN region to deepen its use of digital technologies to spur economic and social development. ADM 2025 was the third strategic masterplan for the[…]
Sam Wood was seconded to the UK’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sports. Sam worked as an economist within DCMS’ Security and Online Harms Directorate to assist with developing the UK policy approach to tackling online harms. His primary role was to develop a quantified impact assessment of the proposed policy approach. This included[…]
Digital sovereignty is an umbrella term that refers to the ability to exercise control over digital assets, such as data, content or digital infrastructure, or over the use of those assets. While this concept has arguably existed for decades, it has gained a new currency for a number of reasons, including concerns about state surveillance,[…]
Plum undertook a major study to assess the effects of separating the dominant telecommunications operators in the KSA and to make appropriate recommendations. The purpose of the study was to study mechanisms for applying separation of the dominant service provider to limit the discrimination against competitors to access wholesale services. The project involved a thorough[…]
Plum carried out a major programme of work in Mexico to help América Móvil develop its plan for the functional separation of Telmex, its fixed access network business, in response to a request from the Mexican telecoms regulator. This engagement was with the full support of the Mexican regulator, the IFT. Plum set up a[…]
Report co-authored with Stephen Adshead Plum conducted a research study for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport to understand the number and characteristics of video-sharing platforms (VSPs) under UK jurisdiction and the extent to which these platforms are compliant with the terms of the new regulations under the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD).[…]