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Published: 14 January, 2009
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As Vodafone and Orange look to extend their 3G network sharing deal in the UK, many expect the economic downturn to spark a wave of similar moves in the saturated region. But analysts at Ovum are arguing that changes in the regulatory framework are needed to ease the process and introduce consistency across the EU, since under current rules, deals are judged on a case-by-case basis that is slow and unpredictable.
Emeka Obiodu, senior analyst at the UK-based research house, says it is not even clear whether RAN sharing deals violate competition laws or license conditions in some cases. Previously, EU regulators could mandate mobile network sharing under the 'Market 15' code, but now the rules have changed and "there is almost no clear-cut EU-wide mechanism on how network sharing ought to be pursued", though some high profile agreements have been forged, notably those of T-Mobile and 3 in the UK, Tele2 and TeliaSonera in Sweden, and Vodafone and TIM in Italy.
"What is needed is a coherent EU-wide directive on network sharing by regulators. It should be clear to MNOs that the same conditions will prevail across the region whenever and wherever they want to share their networks," said Ovum.
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