Internet connectivity meaning

In this issue: New technologies Internet Media Advertising, marketing and sponsorship Telecommunications Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Dates for your diary Trackers Useful information New technologies Commission issues guidelines on EU AI Act obligations for general-purpose AI models On 18 July 2025, the European Commission issued guidelines clarifying how obligations apply to providers of GPAI models under the EU AI Act. Published in advance of the GPAI model rules taking effect on 2 August 2025, they are intended to spell out in detail what providers must do under the law. While not legally binding, the guidelines reflect the Commission’s reading and intended application of the Act, which will inform its enforcement approach. They also sit alongside the General-Purpose AI Code of Practice that independent experts submitted to the Commission on 10 July. See News Analysis: AI developers, users see EU’s guidelines on general-purpose AI models and LNB News 18/07/2025...

In this issue: Data protection New technologies Internet Telecommunications Advertising, marketing and sponsorship Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Dates for your diary Trackers Useful information Data protection DUA Bill passes through Parliament and heads for royal assent Parliament cleared the Data (Use and Access) Bill (DUA Bill) on 11 June 2025. First tabled in October 2024, this marks the end of a lengthy passage characterised by nine rounds of legislative 'ping pong' between the Lords and the Commons. A focal point was the disputed use of copyright works when training AI systems. In the final debate on 11 June 2025, the House of Lords chose not to press its amendment again, which would have compelled further government legislation addressing copyright infringement and AI transparency. Instead, peers agreed to a Commons amendment in lieu requiring the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology to present a progress statement to...

In this issue: New technologies Information technology Internet Data protection Advertising, marketing and sponsorship Reputation management Telecommunications LexTalk®TMT: a Lexis®Nexis community Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Dates for your diary Trackers Useful information New technologies The European Parliament has set out its stance on the Digital Omnibus proposal amending the EU AI Act, endorsing postponement of certain obligations for high‑risk AI and backing a prohibition on AI ‘nudifier’ tools. To improve certainty and predictability, MEPs fix application dates: high‑risk AI listed in the regulation to apply from 2 December 2027; AI falling under EU sectoral safety and market surveillance regimes from 2 August 2028; and providers to meet watermarking duties for AI‑generated content by 2 November 2026. See: LNB News 26/03/2026 37. BEUC warns that Parliament’s EU AI Act Omnibus would narrow consumer protections. After the 26 March 2026 vote, the European Consumer Organisation cautions that...

CASE HUB ARCHIVED This archived case hub sets out the status as at the decision date of 9 May 2023; it is not being updated. See further, timeline. Case facts Outline of the UK merger investigation into the anticipated acquisition by Viasat, Inc. of Inmarsat Group Holdings Limited. The deal features horizontal overlaps in the supply of in-flight connectivity for aircraft. Latest developments On 9 May 2023, the CMA published its final report, granting unconditional approval. It found that although the firms are close competitors (notably in supplying wi-fi connectivity on board flights), the deal would not lessen competition for services on flights used by UK customers because: (i) the satellite industry is growing quickly and changing in response to rising demand for satellite connectivity, largely fuelled by ever-increasing internet use by businesses and consumers; and (ii) the merged firm would face cumulative constraints from other competitors, including several new operators entering or intending to enter the market and established players that are also investing...

CASE HUB ARCHIVED –this archived case hub reflects the position at the date of the judgment of 25 November 2014; it is no longer maintained. See further: timeline, commentary and related/relevant cases Case facts Outline An appeal was lodged before the General Court seeking to annul the Commission’s decisions of 25 and 27 June 2013, which compelled France Télécom, Orange and all entities they directly or indirectly controlled to submit to an inspection, under Article 20(4) of Regulation 1/2003, in support of a Commission inquiry into a suspected abuse of dominance in Internet connectivity services. Telecoms operators Deutsche Telekom and Telefónica were likewise subjected to unannounced inspections as part of the same probe. The General Court delivered its judgment on 25 November 2014. On 3 October 2014, the Commission announced that it had closed the investigation without taking any action. It adopted a provisional view that Article 102 TFEU had not been infringed—there was no evidence of conduct intended to foreclose transit services from the market or...

This Practice Note offers direction on how UK competition law applies to digital markets. It examines: the reach of the Chapter I prohibition in digital trade, including competition law concerns with horizontal and vertical arrangements; abuse of dominance by online platforms; UK market studies and market investigations concerning digital markets; and reforms brought in by the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA 2024). It underscores both the benefits and the difficulties of maintaining competition law compliance across the digital commerce lifecycle. This applies at every stage and touchpoint in practice today. Introduction to competition law and digital trading Over recent decades, the manner in which traders buy and sell goods has changed dramatically. As the internet and other forms of digital connectivity become embedded within society, traders are ever more dependent on digital platforms to transact with business customers and consumers. Traders can now reach customers via numerous platforms, including social media, online marketplaces, and virtual reality platforms. This evolution has expanded audience reach and improved...