In this week’s edition of The Friday File, significant developments in the technology sector are highlighted, particularly involving regulatory actions and advancements in space communication technology. The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has decided to cease its investigations into the app stores operated by Apple and Google. This decision comes as the CMA prepares for the anticipated implementation of the new Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers (DMCC) bill, which is scheduled to take effect next month.
The cessation of these probes is merely a temporary measure, as the CMA has indicated that the DMCC bill will empower them to effectively assess whether major technology firms possess a dominant market position that could adversely affect competition in the United Kingdom. Will Hayter, the Executive Director for Digital Markets at the CMA, articulated that, “once the new pro-competition digital markets regime comes into force, we will be able to consider applying those new powers to concerns we have already identified through our existing work.”
In a separate yet related development, the European Commission (EC) has allocated €5 billion from its extensive semiconductor investment fund, totaling €43 billion, to support TSMC in establishing its inaugural European manufacturing facility in Dresden, Germany. This venture is undertaken in collaboration with Infineon, Bosch, and NXP.
EC President Ursula von der Leyen stressed the importance of fostering new chip manufacturing facilities within the European Union, asserting that these initiatives will enhance the technological capabilities of local chipmakers and contribute to job creation across the region. The Chips Act, initiated in 2022, is part of broader efforts to fortify Europe’s industrial framework and ensure a robust semiconductor supply chain.
Lastly, Nokia has partnered with Axiom Space to outfit spacesuits with 4G technology as preparations are underway for the NASA Artemis III lunar mission scheduled for September 2026. This groundbreaking project aims to integrate advanced connectivity into the spacesuits, thereby facilitating communication among astronauts on the lunar surface via 4G technology. According to Russell Ralston, Executive Vice President of Extravehicular Activity at Axiom Space, the inclusion of high-speed network connectivity is poised to serve as a crucial link between astronauts and mission control on Earth, promoting essential data exchanges and enabling high-definition video communications over significant distances.
To summarize, the week has seen pivotal shifts in regulatory stances towards Big Tech by the UK authorities, substantial investment by the European Commission in semiconductor production, and innovative advancements in space communication technology by Nokia in collaboration with Axiom Space. These developments underscore a significant era of transformation within the technology landscape and its associated regulatory frameworks.
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