Local 5G/6G network business in Europe: regulatory analysis and legitimacy considerations

Local 5G/6G mobile communication networks can be deployed by different stakeholders to serve a variety of user groups with different needs. The legal framework influencing local 5G/6G network deployments and operations, the EU Digital Legal Framework, has been recently developed and adopted by the EU, influencing network deployments, and impacting new stakeholders’ ability to become accepted and legitimate members of the mobile ecosystem. This chapter identifies and discusses relevant EU legal acts and presents the EU legal initiatives in the context of local mobile communication networks. It reviews previous research from the legitimacy challenge perspective and adds to a better understanding of how regulation currently delimits the emerging business models of the local 5G/6G networks. The chapter concludes by discussing the implications of the analysis for regulators and firms deploying local 5G/6G networks

Regulatory challenges and implications of the European electronic communications code (EECC) for local mobile communication network business

Regulatory provisions pose legal constraints on deploying mobile communication networks and related services. Local 5G and upcoming 6G networks, particularly those that are independent of the big mobile network operators (MNOs), face new challenges due to the incoherent harmonization and implementation of the regulatory provisions and the standby approach undertaken by many EU member countries. This paper analyses the European Electronic Communications Code (EECC) Directive from the perspective of local mobile communication networks by combining business model innovation and legitimacy approaches in an ecosystemic context. Based on the analysis, we recommend regulators focus on terminology, spectrum management, access and interconnection, security and privacy, and competition when enabling local mobile communications business

Toward an integrated framework for developing European 6G innovation

This article contributes to the discussion on 6G and European policy development, outlining an integrated framework for Europe to benefit from 6G innovation in the future, both as a developer and user of 6G technologies. As 6G is envisioned as a general-purpose technology that can transform the whole of society, there is a need to adopt a broader perspective to innovation compared to earlier technology generations. This proposed framework comprises five elements: national and European sovereignty, triple bottom line sustainability, a competitive transformational innovation policy, European values-based anticipatory regulation, and trustworthy networks that addresses the privacy, security, and safety of users and resilience of 6G at the systems level. It is argued that Europe needs both ex ante and ex post actions to competitively develop and deploy future 6G technologies

Opportunities and implications related to future mobile communications

This chapter discusses the research, managerial, and policymaking-related future opportunities and implications that stem from the discussions presented in the preceding chapters. With a focus on overarching themes that concern everyone, the paper presents research questions to direct future research, advises managers in themes that may become of increasing interest in future 5G and 6G, and summarizes key concerns for policymaking that should be considered to reach a global 6G and beyond world

Ecosystem Legitimacy Challenges in the Platform, Data, and Artificial Intelligence Business Model

Digitalisation lays the groundwork for the emergence of novel business models taking advantage of modern technologies. Simultaneously, the new business models face an array of legitimacy challenges. This paper proposes an integrated framework for studying legitimacy challenges through the lens of managerial choices and consequences of the business model at the ecosystemic level. It combines and elaborates on essential legitimacy aspects connected to digitalisation, reflecting on stakeholders at the business, individual and ecosystemic level. The value of the paper is based on providing a comprehensive and ecosystemic view of studying the legitimacy challenges connected to the platform, data, and Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Opportunities and implications related to future mobile communications

Abstract This chapter discusses the research, managerial, and policymaking-related future opportunities and implications that stem from the discussions presented in the preceding chapters. With a focus on overarching themes that concern everyone, the paper presents research questions to direct future research, advises managers in themes that may become of increasing interest in future 5G and 6G, and summarizes key concerns for policymaking that should be considered to reach a global 6G and beyond world