Mobile World Live (MWL) presents you our three best tips of the week: The British competition authority has closed investigations into Apple and Google’s apps, Nokia has announced plans to integrate 4G into space suits and the European Commission has awarded the largest contract to date under its Chips Act.

UK closes investigation into Apple and Google apps

What happened: The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has closed investigations into Google and Apple’s respective app stores while it awaits the new Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers (DMCC) law, which is due to come into force next month.

Why it is important: Although the CMA has temporarily halted proceedings against Apple and Google, this is not the end of the story. The antitrust regulator said the landmark DMCC Bill will give it more powers in determining whether technology companies hold a dominant position that may affect competition in the country. The CMA said waiting for the new law to be introduced will allow for a more holistic approach in investigating Big Tech. Will Hayter, executive director of digital markets at the CMA, said: “Once the new pro-competition digital markets regime comes into force, we can consider applying these new powers to concerns we have already identified through our existing work.”

EU Commission provides 5 billion euros for TSMC chip site in Germany

What happened: The EU Commission has allocated five billion euros from its €43 billion investment pot for the semiconductor sector to support TSMC in opening its first European factory in Dresden, Germany. The factory will be part of a joint venture in which Infineon, Bosch and NXP are also involved.

Why it is important: According to EU President Ursula von der Leyen, new chip factories in the Union will give European chipmakers “access to new technologies and production capacities” while paving the way for thousands of new local jobs. The Chips Act, introduced in 2022, aims to strengthen Europe’s industrial base and the resilience of supply chains in semiconductor manufacturing.

Nokia equips astronauts for moon mission with 4G

What happened: Nokia has partnered with Axiom Space to equip their spacesuits with 4G to prepare astronauts for NASA’s Artemis III lunar mission, which will launch in September 2026.

Why it is important: The project will include integrating connectivity into the spacesuits to enable crew-to-crew communications over 4G on the lunar surface. According to Nokia, astronauts will also be able to capture and send HD video to Earth in real time. Russell Ralston, EVP of spacewalk activities at Axiom Space, said deploying high-speed networks on the moon will “serve as an important bridge connecting astronauts to Earth, facilitating the exchange of important data and enabling high-resolution video communications over long distances.”