News

Telecoms networks and broadband communications

May 21, 2019 21 May'19
Keeping commuters connected on the world’s longest sea crossing

CommScope’s antennas remained unscathed during a gruelling storm in 2018 and continue to provide reliable mobile connectivity on China’s 55km Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge
May 20, 2019 20 May'19
DCMS shakes up BDUK with new rural full-fibre scheme

The Rural Gigabit Connectivity programme will run for two years, trialling a new model for full-fibre broadband delivery – meanwhile, BDUK is getting a new name
May 20, 2019 20 May'19
Google cuts off Huawei from Android ecosystem

Google decision follows an executive order signed by President Trump, but Huawei insists US businesses and consumers will be the real losers
May 16, 2019 16 May'19
ISPs get nine months prep time for Ofcom shake-up of broadband contract renewal rules

Regulator Ofcom is giving broadband, phone and pay-TV service providers nine months to ready their systems and processes for the emergence of new rules, designed to make it easier for consumers to switch providers

May 14, 2019 14 May'19
Vodafone confirms 5G network to go live in seven UK cities on 3 July 2019

Mobile network operator claims pricing will be on a par with existing 4G network connectivity, as new research suggests business users are already prepping for the UK launch of 5G.
May 13, 2019 13 May'19
Singapore telco regulator proposes standalone 5G networks

Standalone networks will deliver the full suite of enterprise 5G capabilities, including network slicing and low latency connections for internet of things applications
May 10, 2019 10 May'19
O2 boosts indoor network capacity to prep for 5G

O2 has been working with the Wireless Infrastructure Group to enhance mobile connectivity indoors and in public spaces
May 09, 2019 09 May'19
Home Office failing on Emergency Services Network, says NAO

The delayed Emergency Services Network is slipping further behind schedule and is getting more expensive all the time – and the Home Office’s management of the project is to blame, says the National Audit Office
May 09, 2019 09 May'19
Confident BT Group calls on Openreach to build full-fibre faster

Openreach will ramp up the pace of its full-fibre network build over the next six years, with ambitious targets to bring ultrafast broadband within reach of 15 million homes by the middle of the 2020s
May 08, 2019 08 May'19
Average UK broadband speeds up a fifth in 12 months

Research from telecoms regulator Ofcom suggests efforts to encourage consumers to switch to faster broadband services are paying off

May 07, 2019 07 May'19
Early adopters expect to pay 32% premium for 5G

Potential early adopters of 5G say they expect, on average, to pay more for their devices and services, but they expect measurable improvements on 4G from the get-go
May 07, 2019 07 May'19
Greater Manchester invites bidders for public sector broadband

£32m tender request will enable ultrafast full-fibre connectivity to more than 1,300 public sector sites in Greater Manchester
May 02, 2019 02 May'19
Ultrafast broadband within reach of ‘most’ homes

More than half of homes in the UK can now receive a broadband service capable of delivering speeds of more than 300Mbps, Ofcom claims
May 02, 2019 02 May'19
Defence secretary sacked over Huawei leak

Defence secretary Gavin Williamson has been sacked after leaking confidential discussions over the use of Huawei networking equipment
April 30, 2019 30 Apr'19
Every NHS body to get full-fibre broadband, says health secretary

Matt Hancock announces plans to give every NHS organisation and community care service access to full-fibre broadband services
April 29, 2019 29 Apr'19
Ofcom must rethink rural broadband USO, says Lords report

There are still serious concerns about whether or not the 10Mbps broadband USO is fit for purpose, and Ofcom needs to take account of them, according to The House of Lords Select Committee for the Rural Economy
April 26, 2019 26 Apr'19
British 5G developers to test their mettle in South Korea

DCMS launches £2.4m project to support the development of 5G applications for public transport alongside its South Korean counterpart
April 26, 2019 26 Apr'19
Huawei leak inquiry launched

Cabinet secretary Mark Sedwill has instituted an inquiry aimed at discovering who leaked confidential discussions about UK mobile operators’ use of Huawei in their future 5G networks to the press
April 25, 2019 25 Apr'19
No final decision taken on Huawei 5G ban, government claims

Culture secretary tells MPs that a final decision on use of Huawei in UK 5G networks has not been taken, and says government is taking the leak of confidential discussions at the National Security Council very seriously
April 24, 2019 24 Apr'19
PM May approves Huawei for use in 5G networks despite opposition

The UK’s National Security Council has approved the use of Huawei’s networking equipment in parts of the country’s 5G mobile networks in spite of widespread opposition
April 23, 2019 23 Apr'19
Open doors at Huawei in China as it mounts defence

Computer Weekly was on a recent UK press tour of Huawei’s new campus in Dongguan, China. The company is opening up as it faces US criticism for alleged complicity with China’s security apparatus
April 18, 2019 18 Apr'19
Private 5G networks will be a ‘big trend’

With private 5G networks, enterprises can expect a wireless local area network type architecture that addresses the limitations of Wi-Fi, says top Commscope executive
April 17, 2019 17 Apr'19
TfL suspends Wi-Fi service as Extinction Rebellion spreads

Transport for London has cut off its public Virgin Media Wi-Fi service to disrupt climate change protests
April 16, 2019 16 Apr'19
Singtel and NUS claim quantum breakthrough

Researchers from Singtel and the National University of Singapore have succeeded in coordinating the paths of photons across a fibre network to drive wider adoption of quantum key distribution
April 16, 2019 16 Apr'19
Vodafone upgrades old phone boxes to support surfers

MNO is giving old phone boxes in Cornwall a new lease of life with a 4G upgrade
April 15, 2019 15 Apr'19
CityFibre loses court battle over ‘fake fibre’

CityFibre has been knocked back by the courts in its dispute with the ASA over the use of the word ‘fibre’ in broadband ads
April 15, 2019 15 Apr'19
Broadband upgrade improves response times for cave rescue team

The South and Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team has switched on a new ultrafast broadband connection to help its members react more quickly in life-threatening emergencies
April 12, 2019 12 Apr'19
O2 5G network to support Millbrook CAV trials

O2 will activate 59 5G sites in June to support trials of connected and autonomous vehicles at the Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire
April 11, 2019 11 Apr'19
Ahead of FTTP and 5G, BT picks Nokia to enhance core capacity

With the national full-fibre broadband roll-out in full swing and 5G expected to launch, BT is deploying new Nokia hardware at its network core to boost capacity for data-hungry services
April 08, 2019 08 Apr'19
Openreach extends full-fibre build across Northern Ireland

Openreach has added 10 more towns and cities to its Fibre First programme in Northern Ireland, as it hits a new milestone in terms of homes passed
April 05, 2019 05 Apr'19
Huawei ban will cost UK plc £6.8bn, delay 5G

If the UK government decides to impose tighter restrictions, or an outright ban on the use of Huawei in national 5G networks, the country faces severe consequences, according to a report
April 04, 2019 04 Apr'19
Malaysia’s 5G spectrum biddings not for profit, says MCMC

5G has clear economic gains and should benefit the nation – not add to the government’s coffers
April 03, 2019 03 Apr'19
Business ISP Giganet plugs into Openreach’s Salisbury network

Local business ISP Giganet has started to roll out its own full-fibre broadband services in Salisbury, using Openreach’s new-build network
April 03, 2019 03 Apr'19
Demand for edge datacentres set to grow in APAC

More edge datacentres will be needed in the Asia-Pacific region to cope with greater adoption of edge computing and IoT when 5G networks are up and running
April 02, 2019 02 Apr'19
Huawei reports record numbers despite tumultuous year

Huawei has become one of the world’s largest technology companies by revenue, suggesting the accusations over its ties to the Chinese government are failing to have much impact
April 01, 2019 01 Apr'19
CLA calls for government intervention on rural 4G coverage

Country Land and Business Association urges government to consider broadband-style interventions to improve 4G mobile network coverage in rural areas
April 01, 2019 01 Apr'19
Broadband compensation rules come into force

Regulations that guarantee consumers’ rights to automatic compensation from broadband providers when things go wrong have come into force, and many suppliers have a lot of work to do
March 29, 2019 29 Mar'19
Huawei looks to ISPs for enterprise business growth

The Chinese technology bigwig is counting on internet service providers to fuel its enterprise business in the South Pacific region
March 28, 2019 28 Mar'19
Swan lands in Scottish Highlands

Capita’s Scottish public sector network, also known as Swan, is to be extended to 150 sites in the Highland towns of Fort William, Inverness, Thurso and Wick
March 28, 2019 28 Mar'19
Huawei making no progress on addressing security concerns

Huawei has made no material progress on addressing the issues identified last year by the NCSC, according to the latest highly critical report from its HSCEC Oversight Board
March 28, 2019 28 Mar'19
Swedish companies increasingly using private networks to communicate with ecosystem

Swedish IT leaders are increasingly turning to private networks to communicate with other businesses in their ecosystem
March 26, 2019 26 Mar'19
BT switches on quantum network link at Adastral Park

BT has opened its quantum network link between its Adastral Park research base and the UK Quantum Network node at the University of Cambridge
March 25, 2019 25 Mar'19
Full-fibre broadband startup toob gets £75m funding round

Broadband startup toob has received a £75m funding injection to begin a full-fibre roll-out
March 25, 2019 25 Mar'19
UK’s largest broadband suppliers failing on customer service

Consumers say they’re unimpressed with BT, Sky, TalkTalk and Virgin Media, and fast-growing Vodafone has seen its customer satisfaction levels slump
March 22, 2019 22 Mar'19
UK government at odds over Huawei threat

The chair of the Science and Technology Committee has criticised the government’s vague response to concerns about Huawei’s activities in the UK
March 21, 2019 21 Mar'19
Towards a full-fibre Britain: the view from inside Openreach

Openreach chairman Mike McTighe discusses progress on the national full-fibre broadband roll-out, the impact of Brexit, how to better engage with the CSP community, and why dark fibre isn’t the cure-all they might want it to be
March 21, 2019 21 Mar'19
Openreach calls on CSPs to help formulate full-fibre strategy

Openreach has opened a six-week consultation seeking views from the industry on how best to upgrade consumers to full-fibre broadband
March 20, 2019 20 Mar'19
Colt picks Cisco to simplify 5G backhaul services

Colt is to deploy Cisco’s segment routing and Ethernet VPN-based architecture on its IQ Network for mobile operators
March 20, 2019 20 Mar'19
Network Homes signs Hyperoptic broadband deal

Expansion of Hyperoptic’s ultrafast network targets 20,000 properties in London and the south east
March 20, 2019 20 Mar'19
Bournemouth and Northampton next in line for CityFibre broadband upgrade

A £75m investment will see thousands of residential properties hooked up to full-fibre broadband services
March 19, 2019 19 Mar'19
Salisbury to get ‘universal’ full-fibre broadband

Every residential and business property in Salisbury will be able to access full-fibre broadband in 12 months, claims Openreach
March 13, 2019 13 Mar'19
Shetlands get broadband upgrade to support local NHS services

Shetland Islands Council is to receive £1.91m of funding to expand full-fibre broadband expansion to NHS sites on remote islands through the government’s Local Full-Fibre Networks initiative
March 12, 2019 12 Mar'19
Openreach exploring options for copper network shutdown

Openreach has begun to assess how and when it might be able to shut down its copper broadband network
March 09, 2019 09 Mar'19
Malaysia takes broad base approach to 5G security

The country’s telco regulator is taking a industry-wide look at security implications of 5G, preferring not to target any particular supplier
March 07, 2019 07 Mar'19
Vodafone defends its use of Huawei as 5G trials go live

As Vodafone begins trials of a live 5G service in Bristol, Cardiff and Liverpool, the operator’s CTO and general counsel have defended their use of Huawei equipment in Vodafone’s network and challenged its detractors to produce evidence of spying
March 07, 2019 07 Mar'19
US government ban unconstitutional, says Huawei

Huawei’s lawsuit accuses Washington of violating the US Constitution by banning it from government contracts
March 05, 2019 05 Mar'19
US doubles down on Huawei fears as Chinese prepare to sue

US secretary of state Mike Pompeo has reinforced his attacks on Huawei as the firm apparently prepares to sue the US government over its federal-level ban
March 04, 2019 04 Mar'19
Australia ramps up on 5G – telcos and banks among the first to benefit

Australia has been touted as a leader in 5G, although the promises of the technology supporting the use of autonomous vehicles will not be realised for now
March 04, 2019 04 Mar'19
UK among most expensive countries for mobile data

The UK ranks 136th in the world for the average cost of 1GB of mobile data, according to new statistics
March 04, 2019 04 Mar'19
Fresh data analytics tool slashes Openreach’s Ethernet delivery times

Openreach discusses its work with analytics partner Qlik, which is giving its teams new insights into Ethernet and enterprise fibre network service delivery data, and says it has seen significant service improvements in doing so
March 01, 2019 01 Mar'19
New broadband speed regulations come into force

Internet service providers must now tell consumers how fast their broadband service will be before they sign a contract, under new Ofcom rules
February 27, 2019 27 Feb'19
China Mobile and Singtel team up on IoT

Two major telcos in the APAC region, China Mobile and Singtel, are working together to help enterprises deploy the internet of things across China and Singapore
February 26, 2019 26 Feb'19
MWC 2019: 5G driving telcos into the cloud, says VMware CEO

At Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, VMware CEO Pat Gelsinger explained how the requirements of 5G mobile networks are helping to push more telcos into the organisation’s arms
February 26, 2019 26 Feb'19
Over 100 rural primary schools to get gigabit broadband

Primary schools could become high-speed broadband hubs for rural communities if government plans reach fruition
February 25, 2019 25 Feb'19
Australia, Singapore say hello to 5G

Singtel and its Australian subsidiary Optus have made one of the first 5G video calls in the Asia-Pacific region
February 22, 2019 22 Feb'19
US may cut off countries that use Huawei in 5G networks

US secretary of state Mike Pompeo has said America may scale back or cut military and diplomatic ties with countries that use Huawei equipment in national 5G networks
February 22, 2019 22 Feb'19
Government not doing enough to address mobile not-spots

The National Infrastructure Commission has criticised the government for a lack of progress in addressing mobile network not-spots, particularly along key road and rail links
February 22, 2019 22 Feb'19
IT Priorities 2019: Security concerns top agenda for network buyers again

The ability to gain visibility into what is happening on enterprise networks has once again topped the agenda for network managers and buyers, according to the latest Computer Weekly/TechTarget IT Priorities survey
February 21, 2019 21 Feb'19
MWC 2019: O2 to launch 5G by Christmas

Ahead of Mobile World Congress, operator O2 has revealed further details of how it is planning for the advent of 5G
February 20, 2019 20 Feb'19
MWC 2019: 5G smartphones go live on Vodafone network

Vodafone has connected three 5G-enabled smartphones to a live network during trials in Spain
February 20, 2019 20 Feb'19
MWC 2019: Huawei claims massive lead on 5G readiness

At a pre-Mobile World Congress event in London, Huawei’s Ryan Ding shared details of the firm’s rapidly expanding 5G mobile portfolio, and laid into his competitors
February 20, 2019 20 Feb'19
Huawei faces battle to win Nordic trust

Nordic countries are investigating the spying allegations made against Chinese networking supplier Huiawei
February 20, 2019 20 Feb'19
UK naïve to think China won’t try to exploit Huawei

A think-tank report has branded the UK government naïve at best, irresponsible at worst, over its use of Chinese networking equipment in critical national infrastructure
February 19, 2019 19 Feb'19
MWC 2019: 5G in Europe driven by industrial automation, says Ericsson

As Mobile World Congress 2019 nears, Sweden’s Ericsson has been expanding, and expounding upon, its plans for 5G mobile networks
February 19, 2019 19 Feb'19
Huawei’s Ren Zhengfei: US won’t crush us

Huawei CEO Ren Zhengfei has taken a more combative stance in the ongoing row over the firm’s alleged links to the Chinese intelligence services
February 18, 2019 18 Feb'19
NCSC signals UK may take softer line on Huawei

The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre suggests Huawei will be allowed to form core elements of the country’s 5G mobile network infrastructure after all
February 14, 2019 14 Feb'19
Central Saint Martins hosts Three’s 5G trial for London Fashion Week

Three’s trial 5G network will enable the world’s first augmented reality fashion show at Central Saint Martins, while consumers can test out a prototype network at its flagship store
February 14, 2019 14 Feb'19
Satellite broadband secures Cornish observatory a brighter future

The Tolcarn Observatory near St Austell in Cornwall is putting its money where its mouth is and using satellite broadband to enhance its research work and educational outreach
February 14, 2019 14 Feb'19
Apple Business Chat powers Npower’s smart meter switch

Energy supplier is using Apple Business Chat to help users through the process of switching onto new smart gas and electricity meters
February 11, 2019 11 Feb'19
Vodafone announces winners of Techstarter accelerator

Vodafone has announced the winners of its startup accelerator programme, aimed at helping young companies developing technology for social good
February 08, 2019 08 Feb'19
Brexit is killing full-fibre broadband and 5G roll-outs, says CBI

A CBI report has warned that Brexit is “sucking the oxygen” out of digital priorities such as full-fibre broadband roll-out and 5G mobile network deployment
February 07, 2019 07 Feb'19
Nordic region primed to pioneer 5G

The Nordic region could pioneer the commercial use of 5G, with Finland and Sweden hotbeds for the technology
February 07, 2019 07 Feb'19
Government legislates to bring back roaming charges in no-deal Brexit

All four UK operators have said they have no plans to reintroduce roaming charges, but EE, O2 and Vodafone have not committed themselves not to do so
February 06, 2019 06 Feb'19
Huawei: We are not spying on the UK

Huawei’s Ryan Ding tells the British government that the company has never, and will never, use its technology to assist the Chinese intelligence services
February 06, 2019 06 Feb'19
Virgin Media tests 8Gbps home broadband service

Fifty residents of Papworth, Cambridgeshire, are trialling an 8Gbps FTTP broadband service using existing fibre infrastructure
February 06, 2019 06 Feb'19
Suffolk County Council awards 20-year WAN contract

MLL Telecom will work with CityFibre to extend Suffolk County Council’s existing WAN to 600 sites and offer them ultrafast connectivity services
February 01, 2019 01 Feb'19
BT stockpiles networking kit for no-deal Brexit as Patterson exits

Outgoing BT boss Gavin Patterson shared some details on the company’s contingency planning for a feared no-deal Brexit as chief executive Philip Jansen formally takes charge of the business
January 29, 2019 29 Jan'19
How digital indoor systems can bolster ASEAN’s 5G networks

Digital indoor systems, already being used at airports and subway systems, will help telcos monetise new digital services on 5G networks
January 28, 2019 28 Jan'19
Openreach to recruit 3,000 apprentices to support UK-wide full-fibre network deployment

New recruits from “all walks of life” will be trained at one of 12 educational facilities Openreach is set to open across the country
January 25, 2019 25 Jan'19
Vodafone suspends use of Huawei hardware

Vodafone’s UK CEO has said the operator will ‘pause’ its use of Huawei hardware for the foreseeable future
January 25, 2019 25 Jan'19
Chinese government grants BT new powers

Enhanced operating licences improve telco’s ability to work with customers in China
January 23, 2019 23 Jan'19
MPs challenge Huawei over spying allegations

The chair of the cross-bench Science and Technology Committee has written to Huawei seeking answers over its activities in the UK
January 23, 2019 23 Jan'19
Vodafone and O2 will ‘share’ 5G networks

Vodafone and O2 have agreed non-binding heads of terms that will extend their 4G network-sharing agreement to 5G when it becomes available
January 22, 2019 22 Jan'19
XL Axiata teams up with Tibco in data science initiative

The Indonesia telco’s data scientists will be provided with data science tools from Tibco to uncover customer insights and improve network planning, among other goals
January 22, 2019 22 Jan'19
Scottish Police Authority awards £21m mobile services deal to EE

EE will oversee a three-year deal to transform police mobile capabilities in Scotland, alongside Motorola Solutions, Samsung and BlackBerry
January 22, 2019 22 Jan'19
Broadband divide persists across the UK, says Which?

Latest statistics from Which? show the UK’s broadband divide persists, with many areas still missing out on high-speed services despite industry tub-thumping
January 15, 2019 15 Jan'19
O2 powers customer-centric network with Nokia AI

Mobile operator O2 claims Nokia’s AI-driven Service Operation Center platform will help it anticipate its customers’ problems before they know they have problems
January 14, 2019 14 Jan'19
Mobile and broadband markets fail digitally excluded groups

Financially vulnerable people, disabled and mentally ill people and elderly people all face significant challenges in accessing appropriate communications services, according to a new Ofcom report
January 14, 2019 14 Jan'19
Australia’s Optus dials into 5G

Australia’s second largest telco Optus makes the country’s first 5G data call, paving the way for a fixed wireless service by the first half of 2019
January 10, 2019 10 Jan'19
Roadside 4G mobile signal availability improves across UK

4G mobile network coverage along the UK’s motorways has seen substantial improvement, with Greater Manchester’s urban M60 having 100% availability and the Birmingham to Carlisle M6 seeing the greatest growth in coverage