Analysys Mason assists regulators and policy makers navigate a communications market characterised by rapid changes in technology, business models, content delivery and industry structure.
We have worked with over 34 regulators and governments on six continents, at the forefront of telecoms policy and regulatory developments. We work on a wide range of policy issues.
From our early work with the EU in 1985 on the liberalisation of the telecoms sector, through work on universal service, LRIC and local loop unbundling, to digital broadcast TV, we have tracked the entire cycle of regulation.
Our work encompasses all aspects of convergence, broadband network deployment, spectrum management, IP-based services, next-generation networks and online media. The breadth of our expertise ranges from strategic and commercial reviews, impact analysis and planning through to detailed technical analysis, evaluation and review of policy options and their implications.
Major topics within regulation we have recently advised upon include:
- next-generation core networks and services
- next-generation access networks
- the digital dividend review (the release of digital TV spectrum)
- IPTV, DTT and mobile TV
- award of frequencies in the 2500–2690MHz spectrum for cellular mobile and WiMAX.
Recent landmark projects
- We worked with Ofcom in the UK on the Digital Dividend Review, focusing on recommending the most appropriate award process for UHF Band IV and V spectrum that will be freed due to digital television switch-over. The project included an extensive market, technical and economic analysis of alternative spectrum uses and possible market failures that may arise, as well as technical analysis of spectrum engineering implications of different alternative spectrum uses co-existing in adjacent spectrum.
- On behalf of the Norwegian government, we assessed the market opportunities and dynamics for digital terrestrial television (DTT) in Norway. We evaluated the viability of the business plan of all the major players in the value chain, considering both free-to-air and pay-TV scenarios, and tested the key parameters of the business plans submitted. We carried out a risk assessment of the business plan of a proposed pay-TV operator on the DTT platform. Our report was used by the client to inform its reassessment of the public investment in the operator.
- For the European Commission, we undertook a wide-ranging study examining the major trends in VoIP and associated convergent services. This study was designed to classify issues and the potential implications arising from these services in the context of the New Regulatory Framework.
- We recently advised a Western-European regulator on establishing the conditions under which alternative providers could have a business case to use sub-loop unbundling. The analysis was conducted in the context of the incumbent operator planning to decommission local exchanges when deploying its next-generation network.
- In the UK, we worked with Ofcom to assess the implications of different regulatory conditions governing the introduction of ultra wide band (UWB) wireless devices. This included an assessment of the economic benefits of UWB devices compared to the potential commercial costs in terms of the cost of re-engineering existing networks to avoid potential interference from UWB devices sharing the same spectrum.
- We are the industry leader in advising clients on cost-based determination of prices. For examplee, On behalf of PTS, the Swedish regulator, we developed a LRIC-based model to determine mobile termination cost. While working in close co-operation with industry, we helped PTS define the consultation steps required to develop the LRIC model and also respond to industry submissions.
