Recent reports
UK Energy Crisis: Interdependence with Europe
12 September 2022Russia’s weaponisation of gas exports to the EU and resulting Continent-wide energy supply crisis also impacts the UK via rising prices on the wholesale market for this commodity
The UK’s imported gas supplies are mainly from the wellhead in Norway and look to be secure from interruption, despite higher demand from EU Member States
The UK is implementing a vast two-year subsidy programme worth c.£150 billion to cushion households and blunt the advance of recession
Hopes pinned on price rises: European mobile in Q2 2022
9 September 2022European mobile service revenue growth increased by 1ppt to +1.6% this quarter, with this improvement largely driven by higher-than-inflation price increases in the UK.
The outlook for Q3 is mixed with an increased roaming boost expected, but the B2B sector will remain challenging and the impact of the rollout of out-of-contract notifications in EU countries will mount.
There are signs of some upward pricing movement beyond the UK, particularly in Spain as the operators seek to cushion the blow of rising costs and inevitable economic pressure.
Apple's announcement that the iPhone 14 will be eSIM-only in the US paves the way for it to ultimately enter the market for mobile services there, although that will require the co-operation of at least one mobile operator.
This should be a red flag for UK operators who have been obliged to facilitate a form of eSIMs already and are likely to be obliged to go a few steps further in the coming years.
Policymakers need to think very carefully about the pros and cons of such a move by Apple—the industry cannot afford to give Apple a slice of its much-called-upon pie.