On Message

Historically, telecom companies have been known for their high capital expenditures—investing heavily in infrastructure, network expansions, and spectrum licenses. For decades,CapEx as a percentage of sales for mobile operators hovered between12% to 20%, driven by the need to deploy 4G, 5G, and fiber-optic networks. But things are changing. Today, we’re seeing a gradualdecline in CapEx ratios among many telecom players.However, companies likeGoogle, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta are now reportingrecord-high CapEx spending, often exceeding 20% to 25% of sales in some cases, because AI, cloud computing, and data centers are driving massive infrastructure needs. What we’re seeing is arole reversal of sorts. The companies traditionally seen as “asset-light” are now investing heavily in physical infrastructure, while mobile operators, once synonymous with massive CapEx, are pulling back and focusing on squeezing more out of existing assets. As we move forward, success in this ecosystem won’t be defined by who spends the most—it will be defined by who spendsthe smartest. 

MEF Data reports in February 2024 that the new numbers of mobile active connections ( SiMs) has reached 12.6 billion.  However the rate of growth is reducing to 5% year on year, the slowest rate in the last few year (if you exclude the 2% during the pandemic in 2020). So what is growing less, handsets (SIMS used by people) is now showing a 1.7% increase. It is IoT that has driven the market for the last few years, but even there we can see a slowing down (from 21% growth to 14%). However, mobile broadband have found a much stronger performance, from 0.1% growth in 2023 to 5.5% in 2024 - potentially the impact of 5G and FWA rolls out. 

Today, onWorld Radio Day, we celebrate a medium with an extraordinary legacy and continued relevance in our digital world. Radio’s origins trace back to the pioneering work ofGuglielmo Marconi, whose innovations in wireless communication over 120 years ago laid the foundation for modern broadcasting. Marconi’s work wasn’t just about connecting devices—it was about connecting people across distances once thought impossible, a vision that still resonates today.

In 2011, theUnited Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially declared February 13th as World Radio Day, recognizing the role of radio in promoting peace, education, and cultural exchange. Even in an age of smartphones, streaming platforms, and AI, radio remains essential. It’s often themost accessible medium for remote regions, disaster recovery, and public information, reaching billions of people every day.

As mobile technologies evolve, thespirit of radio lives on—in podcasts, live audio streams, and community-driven content delivered seamlessly through mobile networks. Let’s take this day to celebrate the enduring power of audio and its role in keeping the world informed, entertained, and connected.

Thanks for listening, and happy World Radio Day! Let us know and share your opinions at +44 7770 1962 27 send us SMS, RCS, Viber or WhatsApp and stay ON MESSAGE. 

Safer Internet Day—a global initiative that’s not just a day on the calendar, but a call to action for everyone in the digital world.

Cyberbullying among young people is a growing crisis. Recent studies show that nearlyone in three young people globally have experienced some form of online harassment. In the EU alone, around20% of 12- to 16-year-olds report being cyberbullied regularly. Meanwhile, in the U.S.,over 37% of teens admit they’ve been victims of online bullying, with60% witnessing it firsthand.

In this episode, we explore new things about the online social networking service of X should not be designated as a core platform service under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Let us know and share your opinions at +44 7770 1962 27 send us SMS, RCS, Viber or WhatsApp and stay ON MESSAGE. 

In this episode, we explore how Italy moving ahead against the piracy shield. Let us know and share your opinions at +44 7770 1962 27 send us SMS, RCS, Viber or WhatsApp and stay ON MESSAGE. 

In this episode, we discuss implementing the Online Safety Act in the UK, which aims to protect vulnerable users online, particularly children. The act requires large tech companies with substantial revenue to contribute financially towards the regulation and enforcement of online safety measures. This includes paying fees for administrative costs and supporting the operation of the regulatory body, Ofcom. We also highlight the potential impact of the act on various online platforms, emphasizing the need for content moderation, risk assessments, and reporting mechanisms to combat online harms such as bullying and grooming.

In this episode, we discuss the growing importance of privacy regulations in the United States, specifically focusing on the recent partnership between the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). We also discuss how the CCPA, modelled after the European GDPR, has become a significant force in data privacy, while the FCC has historically focused on telecommunications issues. The partnership between these two agencies aims to improve data privacy protections for consumers by sharing resources, coordinating investigations, and strengthening enforcement.

In this episode, we explore the new things in November 2024 about the retail tariff regulations in mobile operators. Let us know and share your opinions at +44 7770 1962 27 send us SMS, RCS, Viber or WhatsApp and stay ON MESSAGE. 

In this episode of On Message, we explore the online safety act from Ofcom. Let us know and share your opinions at +44 7770 1962 27 send us SMS, RCS, Viber or WhatsApp and stay ON MESSAGE.