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global tech trends

A strategic, global perspective on new frontiers in technology and their impact on regulation and policy.


As telecoms, media, the digital economy and world politics converge, it's essential for organisations to have a global perspective on the wide-ranging trends shaping the future of the communications sector.

Our Global Trends service helps leaders understand this bigger picture and set strategic direction for their organisation.

Drawing together on-the-ground expertise from key markets around the world, it provides a unique, high-level view of the latest developments and their implications for decision makers across industry, government and regulation.

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key trends covered

Platforms, digital services and content

Understand the complex and shifting roles of online platforms and services in debates around global economics, trade and regulation.

  • Online platforms and OTT
  • Fintech
  • Market power of big tech companies
  • International trade
Connectivity

Stay on top of the latest developments in 5G, mobile and full-fibre coverage worldwide, as well as the wider relationship between global tech trends and internet connectivity.

  • New trends in 5G
  • IoT connectivity
  • Mobile coverage
  • Full fibre
Data economy

Follow the debate around privacy, cybersecurity, cloud and AI, and understand how new developments impact the global data economy.

  • Cloud and cross-border data flows
  • IoT services and applications
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Privacy and cybersecurity

global geographic scope

12 key markets covered in-depth across 5 continents

why subscribe

The future of communications sector regulation hinges on many complex technological, economic and geopolitical factors. Our global trend intelligence is here to help decision makers understand the different forces at work and see the bigger picture for their organisation.

With our own experts in multiple countries across the globe helping to report and benchmark, we offer a razor-sharp focus on the most important trends of the moment - delivered with the clarity and impartiality that have made us a trusted voice in regulation for over three decades.

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your deliverables

stay on top

Keep abreast of the top ten trends of the moment with our short stories from around the world. These monthly 'pills of thought' are all based on original sources, accessible from an interactive map, and link to further research for more in-depth analysis.

get ahead

Get ahead of the latest global developments with our monthly trend reports. Providing a high-level summary of the top trending topics, their drivers and implications across multiple key markets, our reports help you read the pulse of the digital world.

compare

Compare and contrast how different markets are responding to global tech trends shaping policy and regulation in the digital world. Our in-depth benchmarks deliver probing insights on new developments across key markets without losing sight of the bigger picture.

trend news

5G spectrum auction in South Africa scheduled in March 2021

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) published its final plans for the licensing of 406 MHz of International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) spectrum for wireless broadband communications. Part of the spectrum will be used for the development of a wholesale-only wireless open access network (WOAN).

Apple and Google’s app stores under scrutiny in Australia

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) started an investigation into the country’s mobile app store market. The app store market is entirely controlled by just two companies: Apple and Google.

OTT providers to pay ‘network usage fees’ in South Korea

New rules will oblige large foreign OTT platforms like Netflix and YouTube to compensate South Korea’s internet service providers for the high use of their infrastructure generated by those services.

Fox+ and similar pay TV channels offered over the internet not subject to pay TV rules in Brazil

Telecoms regulator Anatel established that services such as Fox+ are not subject to the country’s pay TV service regulatory framework because they have the features of a value added service, and are therefore similar to subscription video on demand services (SVOD).

European central bank discusses the possible issuance of a digital euro

According to a report by the European Central Bank (ECB), citizens and firms in Europe might use in the future a digital euro, an electronic form of central bank money, for their retail payments.

EU promotes continent-wide Covid-19 contact tracing

Most European countries have developed proximity tracing apps to reduce the spread of Covid-19, generally using the exposure notification application programming interface (API) from Google and Apple. While the proximity detection mechanisms of these apps are compatible, the national backends behind the different national apps — as yet — don't talk to each other.

European Commission to explore a new framework for EU-US data transfers

The EU commission plans “to explore the possibility of a strengthened framework” for transatlantic data transfers following the invalidation of the EU-US Privacy Shield adequacy decision by the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) in July 2020.

UAE allocates millimetre wave spectrum for 5G

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced the allocation of 3,250 MHz of spectrum above 24 GHz for 5G.

TikTok bets on partnership with Oracle to avert ban or forced sale

The US Department of Commerce announced on 18 September 2020 prohibitions on transactions relating to mobile applications (apps) TikTok and WeChat to safeguard the national security of the US. US app stores will be unable to offer any new downloads of the TikTok or WeChat apps in the US and users in the US will be unable to receive any related updates to the apps. US federal judges halted the TikTok and WeChat ban, giving the Chinese-owned apps more time to negotiate a deal with US companies.

Platforms adopt policies to counter online misinformation during elections

Facebook, Google and Twitter have been under increasing pressure to stop the spread of misinformation on their platforms. In the run-up to the November US presidential election, all three companies have adopted policies intended to increase fact-checking and curb the spreading of fake news.

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get in touch

For more information about our global trends intelligence and to book a personal demo, please contact:

Elena Scaramuzzi phone: +32 492 33 79 70 elena.scaramuzzi@cullen-international.com