Overview

This has been one of the most significant periods in several years for the communications sector as regulator Ofcom announces fundamental regulatory changes in the mobile, pay-TV and broadband markets.

Reductions in mobile termination rates over the next four years create potentially much lower prices for consumers to make voice calls to mobile phones. The long-awaited publication of the pay-TV market investigation results in BSkyB facing significantly reduced margins and fierce completion as new regulations require wholesale access to be made in relation to both Sky Sports 1 and 2.

The Digital Britain agenda has a mixed few weeks as proposals are published to provide wholesale access to BT's fibre networks at the same time that key aspects of the reform package are dropped ahead of the general election.

In other keynote developments, the Government confirms a new £2m fine for breach of the network misuse regulations. Internet service providers have received a warning shot from the regulator as Ofcom studies reveal that consumers are still not receiving accurate information on broadband speeds.

And overseas, a key victory by Comcast in the US deals a hammer blow to the Federal Communications Commission's proposed overhaul of the communications sector.

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