Advanced Television

Policy

UK sets out high-speed broadband USO

High-speed broadband connectivity for the entire UK has moved one step closer following the laying of legislation setting the design of the broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO) Comms regulator Ofcom now has up to two years to implement the scheme, meaning that by 2020, everyone in the UK will have a legal right to an […]

March 28, 2018By Colin Mann

EU confirms content portability start

Following the May 2017 passing by the European Parliament of legislation allowing EU citizens to use online services such as Netflix, HBO Go, Amazon Prime, Spotify, Deezer while in another EU country for holidays, studies or business, European officials have confirmed that from April 1st 2018 onwards, Europeans will be able to access the online content […]

March 28, 2018By Colin Mann

Serbia’s SBB investigated for abuse of dominant position

Serbia’s Commission for the Protection of Competition has initiated the procedure for alleged abuse of dominant market position against the country’s leading cable TV operator. Serbia Broadband (SBB) is owned by regional DTH and cable TV operator United Group. This follows SBB’s decision to increase the monthly subscription fee by RSD 100 to RSD 1395 […]

March 28, 2018From Branislav Pekic in Rome

UK launches creative industries sector deal

Britain’s creative industries are set to consolidate the nation’s position as a global creative powerhouse, following a new Industrial Strategy deal agreed between government and the Creative Industries Council (CIC) on behalf of the sector. As part of a Creative Industries Sector Deal, to be announced by the Digital and Culture Secretary Matt Hancock, Business […]

March 28, 2018By Colin Mann

CD counterfeiter jailed

A man has been sentenced to 16 months in prison for his part in selling counterfeit CDs, which made profits of over £4 million (€4.58m). This was the largest import of counterfeit CDs seen in the UK, from popular artists such as Rihanna, Olly Murs and Take That. Michael Hargreaves, of Heysham, Lancashire, in the […]

March 26, 2018By Colin Mann

Study: ISPs coming up short on speed

Some of the UK’s biggest broadband providers are inadequately informing customers about speeds when they are buying a new broadband deal, research from UK consumer body Which? reveals. With communication regulator Ofcom introducing an updated Code of Practice for providers in March 2019, Which? mystery shopped broadband companies to see if they met the current […]

March 23, 2018

SES argues for Spanish DTT monopoly changes

There has long been a debate in Brussels over access by non-Spanish satellite providers to the digital TV free to air Spanish market, along with complaints about the amount of allegedly preferential State aid that the Spanish national and regional administrations have given to local DTT operators. The background goes back to before 2010 when […]

March 22, 2018

YahSat to make $100m+ insurance claim on Ariane problem

Abu Dhabi-based YahSat is to make a significant insurance claim on its Al Yah-3/YahSat-3 satellite, which was placed into the wrong orbit by Arianespace on January 26th. As previously reported, YahSat says that its satellite has suffered a 43 per cent loss of revenue because of the faulty orbit following the bad launch.  The poor […]

March 22, 2018By Chris Forrester

EC proposes GAFA sales tax

The European Commission is proposing a 3 per cent tax on turnover for tech companies as an answer to their perceived profit tax avoidance through choosing low tax countries for all their billing no matter where the sale. The EC estimates the move would raise over €5 billion a year. The proposal would affect firms […]

March 21, 2018

Facebook value plunges by $37bn

Shares in social media giant Facebook have plummeted dramatically, wiping some $37 billion (€30bn) off its value, as it faces questions from about its privacy rules. The social network is under fire after reports emerged on how Cambridge Analytica – a a company that offers services to businesses and political parties who want to “change […]

March 20, 2018