Page 95 - SAMENA Trends - August 2019

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

OFCOM Could Get New Powers to Regulate ‘Harmful’ Social Media Content

The government has been consulting on bosses potentially held personally liable if services and ensure they comply with
plans to regulate social media platforms they do not comply. It was suggested that minimum standards set out in the AVMSD
and is considering giving responsibility a new body could be set up to issue fines (Audiovisual Media Services Directive) by
to Ofcom. Ofcom could be given the or even block access to certain websites, the transposition deadline - 19 September
power to fine social media companies in but for now the government has proposed 2020. We are currently consulting on this
a bid to protect youngsters from “harmful” giving Ofcom “interim powers” to regulate approach.”
content online. The regulator does not “video-sharing platform services”. The
currently have the ability to take action DCMS said the move would allow the UK
over material on websites like Facebook to meet its obligations to the EU regarding
and YouTube, but the government is online safety, which members must have
considering expanding its remit beyond complied with by September 2020. A
more traditional media. Earlier this year, spokesman said: “The directive proposed
the Home Office and Department for a number of appropriate measures to
Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) protect minors and the general public
drew up proposals on online harms that from harmful content. “The government
would see social media firms become has proposed that Ofcom is given interim
legally required to protect users, with powers to regulate video-sharing platform

UK Telcos Set Out Their Conditions to Make Fiber Broadband Universal

UK operators have outlined their government’s plans to achieve universal Too often unresponsive landlords delay
requirements to make Prime Minister Boris full-fiber broadband by 2033 “laughably rollout in urban and rural areas, the
Johnson’s demand for full-fiber broadband unambitious”. The UK was bottom of organizations say.
“for all” by 2025 a reality. They priorities the fiber penetration rankings (34 out • New builds – telcos claim too many
four key issues and say that urgent action of 34) for European countries with 1.3% new build homes are being developed
is required within 12 months if universal according to research carried out between without fiber connectivity as standard
coverage is to accelerate. An open letter September 2017 and the same month and plans to mandate fiber to all new
from the telecoms industry said, “The in 2018, published in March by the FTTH builds should be put in place without
industry stands ready to rise to this Council. Other laggards include Germany delay.
challenge, but we need a Prime Minister with 2.3% (fourth from the lowest). France • Skills – “National fiber rollout is one
who can provide the direction, idealism is mid-ranking with 19.4%. For the third of Britain’s greatest engineering
and commitment to fulfil this ambition.” It year running, Latvia top the table with challenges,” the letter says. The
was signed by the leaders of the Internet 50.3% penetration, with Lithuania, Spain groups call for investment in digital
Services Providers’ Association, the and Sweden close behind. and engineering skills needs to be
Federation of Communications Services Four key areas prioritized.
and Independent Networks Cooperative In their letter, the telecom organizations 100% commitment needed
Association which represent the telecoms highlight four key areas which they say The National Infrastructure Commission
industry, including large infrastructure need addressing within in one year if the has estimated that building and
players, start-ups and suppliers. Members Prime Minister’s target is to be achieved: maintaining a full fiber network across the
include BT, Sky, Virgin Media, Google and • Reform of the ‘fiber tax’ – the UK would cost £33.4 billion over 30 years.
Vodafone. BT’s new CEO, Philip Jansen, organizations argue that fiber cables The letter notes, “Nationwide full fiber
has already visited the Prime Minister are still taxed as if they were to business coverage is not a can that can be kicked
asking that his government creates the premises. “Significant reform to this down the road, and these issues need to
right investment environment to make fiber tax would provide an immediate be resolved by your Government within the
universal full-fiber possible. boost to the industry and significantly next 12 months to ensure that industry can
Fibrous ambitions unlock more ambitious rollout plans,” continue to accelerate rollout. “Industry is
Johnson outlined his wish for 100% rollout they say. ready and willing to work with yourself, your
of fiber-optic broadband to properties • Wayleaves – plans to allow telecoms Government and the new Digital Secretary
across the UK “in five years at the outside” providers access to buildings and land to ensure that Britain’s connectivity is fit
in an article for the Telegraph published to deliver broadband services where for the future. But that work needs to start
before he won the Conservative Party landlords are unresponsive need to be now, and 100% fiber coverage requires a
leadership vote. He called the then implemented as quickly as possible. 100% commitment from Government.”

95 AUGUST 2019