There’s little doubt that UK telecoms operators and their investors will be affected by post-Brexit regulatory changes. They should decide which regulatory regime will be most appropriate for the UK and build a strategy for influencing the debate.
At a glance
- Brexit carries significant potential implications for telecoms regulation in the UK—particularly for network access regulation and net neutrality.
- After Brexit, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) may have the freedom to adopt a more flexible approach to market reviews.
- Ofcom may seek enhanced powers to regulate oligopoly markets, as well as stronger structural separation powers.
- But Ofcom is unlikely to adopt some of the restrictions in the European Electronic Communications Code.
- It’s possible that Ofcom will have greater flexibility than other National Telecommunications Regulatory Authorities in how it seeks to enforce net neutrality.