GovWire

Mobile browsers and cloud gaming

Competition Markets Authority

January 24
14:01 2024

Administrative timetable

A revised administrative timetable will be uploaded shortly.

Market investigation recommenced

24 January 2024: The market investigation has now recommenced in accordance a Court of Appeal order dated 30 November 2023. This followed an earlier order by the Competition Appeals Tribunal which had suspended the market investigation from 31 March 2023.

30 November 2023: In a unanimous judgment (available on the National Archives website), the Court of Appeal has determined that the CMAs decision to make a market investigation reference in relation to the market for mobile browsers and cloud gaming was lawful, setting aside the CATs judgment of 31 March 2023.

Inquiry group changes

24 January 2024: Robin Foster has stood down from his role in the inquiry group. David Thomas has been appointed to the inquiry group.

Market investigation reference

Market investigation timetable suspended following Competition Appeal Tribunal order and judgment

31 March 2023: The market investigation timetable was suspended with effect from 31 March 2023 following a Competition Appeal Tribunal judgment and order.

Invitation to comment on consumer survey draft questionnaire

15 February 2023: As part of its investigation into mobile browsing and cloud gaming, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) appointed Kantar Public to conduct a quantitative survey of UK consumers who own a smartphone. The below linked Questionnaire notice provides details of the research approach.

The CMA welcomed comments on the draft questionnaire to be used in the proposed survey by 5.00pm GMT 22 February 2023.

Responses to the issues statement

Issues statement

13 December 2022: The issues statement outlines initial theories on what might be affecting competition and potential remedies. It doesnt set out our findings or conclusions. Parties were invited to provide submissions commenting on the issues and possible remedies. The deadline for submissions on the issues statement was Tuesday 17 January 2023.

Invitation to comment on research agencies

1 December 2022: As part of its browsers and cloud gaming market investigation, the CMA intends to carry out research with consumers and web developers. We have identified a number of firms to undertake this research and comments are invited on potential conflicts of interest or any other restriction on the firms suitability to carry out the work.

Consumer research: The central objective for the consumer research is to measure and develop our understanding of consumer behaviour in the mobile browser market, with a particular focus on understanding the drivers of browser choice on smartphone devices. We expect the research will involve both qualitative and quantitative research disciplines and we encourage agencies to propose research methodologies which best address our research objectives.

Web developer research: The central objective for the web developer research is to develop our understanding of the experiences of web developers in relation to browsers and browser engines. We believe qualitative research will be most appropriate for this project but again encourage agencies to propose research approaches which best meet our research objectives.

Inquiry group appointed

22 November 2022: The CMA appointed the inquiry group on 22 November 2022.Margot Daly (Inquiry Chair), Robin Foster, Cyrus Mehta and Claire Whyley.

CMA Board advisory steer

22 November 2022: The CMA Boards advisory steer to the inquiry group can be found below.

Terms of reference

22 November 2022: The terms of reference for the CMAs investigation can be found below.

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