The telecoms, technology and media (TMT) sectors are all currently under the European Commission’s competition law spotlight. Most controversially, the telecoms sector is being re-shaped by consolidation amongst the operators. The debate about how to regulate the digital environment continues with high profile investigations into Google. Finally the Commission’s accusation that the top six Hollywood studios and the Sky TV pay channel have breached competition rules calls into question Europe’s copyright laws. According to the Commission the studio’s actions create a divided European market.
Given the significant integration across the TMT sectors, we have created a comprehensive two day event; Competition Law & Regulation in the Telecoms, Media & Technology Sector. Both days are individually bookable to give you increased flexibility and focus on these separate yet related topics.
Day 1. Telecoms and Digital
By attending the first day, you will have the opportunity to hear from experts from the European Commission, BT, EE, Vodafone and Allen & Overy LLP on the “Recent Consolidation in the Telecoms Market”. This session will review recent merger cases in both fixed and mobile industries and mobile and mobile industries, discuss the Commission’s view on the move from 4 to 3 operators and answer the question “what lessons can be learnt globally?”
Following this, we will examine “Digital Monopolies: Should they be Regulated and, if so, How?” This timely question will be discussed by Kevin O’Brien, Commissioner of the Irish Commission for Communications Regulation and and Vice Chair, Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC), Kyriakos Fountoukakos, Partner with a focus on Competition Law, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP and David Parker, Director, Frontier Economics.
The final session on the first day is a panel session entitled “Enforcement Trends across Europe”. Delegates will be able to gather a pan-Europe perspective from national regulators including Johan Keetelaar, Director of Telecommunications, Transport and Postal Services Department, Netherlands' Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM), John McInnes, Legal Director, UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and Marcel Balz, Case Handler, 7th Decision Division, German Federal Cartel Office.
Day 2: Media
The day opens with Krzysztof Kuik, Head of Unit, DG Competition, European Commission. Krzysztof will present on the “Competition Law Challenges in the Media Sector: European Commission’s Perspective”. Delegates will have the opportunity to, not only hear the latest developments within the Commission, but also ask their burning questions.
Krzysztof is not the only Commission speaker on the day, Ewoud Sakkers, Head of Unit State Aid within Directorate C: Information, Communication and Media, DG Competition, European Commission is taking part in a roundtable discussion entitled “State Aid and Broadcasting”. The other members of the roundtable are Max Rumney, Director of Legal, Business Affairs and Industrial Relations, PACT and Dr. Ulrich Soltész, Partner, Gleiss Lutz.
This conference takes place on the 18th-19th November at the Sheraton Hotel in Brussels. Attend both days for in-depth discussion of developments across the TMT sector or book each day separately for a more focused analysis.
Take a look at the conference’s dedicated website to find out more.
To discuss sponsorship and exhibition opportunities please contact Ayo Fagbohun on Ayo.Fagbohun@informa.com.
To discuss speaking opportunities please contact Anna Grigorieva-Cowan on Anna.Cowan@informa.com.
To discuss booking onto the event or any of our other conferences please contact Katie Jacobs on Katie.Jacobs@informa.com.
Finally, if you have any questions or comments in regards to our blog please contact Miss Jo O’Riordan via jo.oriordan@informa.com.