News

Telecoms networks and broadband communications

February 28, 2017 28 Feb'17
Microsoft to discontinue Skype Wi-Fi service

Microsoft is retiring its Skype Wi-Fi service to concentrate on other services on the communications platform
February 27, 2017 27 Feb'17
MWC 2017: BT showcases network startups and 5G for VR

At Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, BT announces new research into network design and build, and explores the future of 5G networks
February 23, 2017 23 Feb'17
Lords pressurise government over broadband USO

In a House of Lords debate on the Digital Economy Bill, peers passed an amendment to set the minimum standard speed for broadband at 30Mbps
February 23, 2017 23 Feb'17
BDUK head Chris Townsend to step down

Government executive Chris Townsend, who oversees the DCMS-run BDUK rural broadband programme, is to step down in April

February 16, 2017 16 Feb'17
Cisco sales fall as traditional product sales slump

Cisco's traditional product sales such as switches are falling, but revenues in emerging products in areas such as security are on the up
February 15, 2017 15 Feb'17
Ericsson introduces first 5G network platform

As the industry gears up for Mobile World Congress, Ericsson has announced a new platform designed to help networks evolve towards 5G mobile networking
February 15, 2017 15 Feb'17
Sky tackles mobile not-spots at west London headquarters

Media and communications company Sky deploys a distributed antenna system at its west London campus to improve in-building mobile signals
February 14, 2017 14 Feb'17
Major DDoS attacks see huge increase, says Akamai

Akamai’s State of the Internet/Security Report for the fourth quarter of 2016 finds that distributed denial of service attacks larger than 100Gbps are rapidly increasing as more IoT devices are compromised
February 10, 2017 10 Feb'17
MWC 2017: 4G still has plenty of mileage, say mobile analysts

5G is likely to be a hot topic at this year’s Mobile World Congress, which kicks off at the end of February, but operators should be paying more attention to getting more out of their 4G networks
February 09, 2017 09 Feb'17
Cancer Research UK drives donations with proximity Wi-Fi network

Cancer Research UK used Devicescape’s virtual Wi-Fi network and marketing platform to engage support and drive donations on World Cancer Day

February 09, 2017 09 Feb'17
South African children’s hospital uses video to train cardiologists

The Red Cross Children’s Hospital in Cape Town is using remote video learning to teach paediatric cardiology surgery to medical students
February 08, 2017 08 Feb'17
Consumers losing millions through out-of-date broadband deals

Consumers are still paying over the odds for out-of-contract broadband deals, according to a report from uSwitch
February 08, 2017 08 Feb'17
Battersea Power Station development gets ultrafast FTTP broadband

Hyperoptic has been selected to deliver FTTP broadband to new-build apartments at Battersea Power Station
February 08, 2017 08 Feb'17
Inmarsat and Actility build IoT network for remote applications

Network suppliers team up to deliver a low-power wide area network to support corporate internet of things deployments in remote areas
February 07, 2017 07 Feb'17
5G deployments will address burgeoning data demand, says Cisco

In its latest Mobile Visual Networking Index (VNI) report, Cisco says it expects large-scale 5G infrastructure deployments to be well in hand by the end of the decade as more and more data is consumed
February 07, 2017 07 Feb'17
CityFibre and Gamma strike long-haul dark fibre deal

Gamma plans to connect 15 datacentres and exchanges around the UK using CityFibre’s long-distance and metro networks
February 06, 2017 06 Feb'17
Three to expand into fixed broadband

Mobile network operator Three is to acquire UK Broadband, heralding an expansion into fixed broadband services for the first time
February 06, 2017 06 Feb'17
Openreach launches enhanced duct and pole mapping service

BT’s infrastructure arm, Openreach, has made digital maps showing its duct and pole network infrastructure available to allow other comms services providers to plan new fibre broadband networks
February 03, 2017 03 Feb'17
PAC recalls ESN inquiry after Vodafone revelations

The Home Office officials in charge of delivering the Emergency Services Network have been questioned by the Public Accounts Committee after new information came to light concerning some of the existing subcontracts
February 01, 2017 01 Feb'17
O2 offers internet of things-backed motor insurance

Mobile network O2 expands its reach into the vehicle insurance market with the launch of an internet of things monitoring service
February 01, 2017 01 Feb'17
European Union reaches final agreement on mobile roaming charges

Mobile roaming charges in the European Union will end by 15 June 2017 after final agreement was reached on the regulation of wholesale prices
February 01, 2017 01 Feb'17
TalkTalk CEO Harding steps aside for public service role

TalkTalk CEO Dido Harding has stepped down, leaving the ISP in rude health
January 31, 2017 31 Jan'17
Gigaclear wins Northamptonshire BDUK contract

Rural fibre broadband supplier Gigaclear has been awarded a Stage Three BDUK contract covering remote parts of Northamptonshire
January 30, 2017 30 Jan'17
Bellway Homes signs Hyperoptic for Welwyn Garden City development

Developer Bellway Homes chooses FTTP broadband supplier Hyperoptic to supply ultrafast services to new homes in Welwyn Garden City
January 27, 2017 27 Jan'17
NHS Digital picks peering exchange provider for HSCN

The development of the new Health and Social Care Network is moving ahead as NHS Digital signs Redcentric to provide peering exchange services
January 27, 2017 27 Jan'17
BT profits plunge after Italian accounting scandal

BT’s pre-tax profit drops 37% as the telecoms giant comes to terms with the extent of massive corruption at its Italian business
January 25, 2017 25 Jan'17
Emergency Services Network will not be ready in time, says PAC

A Public Accounts Committee examination of the Emergency Services Network concludes that the controversial project may need more testing and assurance than its delivery date allows for
January 25, 2017 25 Jan'17
Norfolk pub becomes first Vodafone Ciss programme hub

The Wortwell Bell in Harlestone, Norfolk, becomes the first “community hub” to receive indoor 3G mobile coverage through Vodafone’s Community Indoor Sure Signal scheme
January 24, 2017 24 Jan'17
GDS signals intent to move public sector off PSN

Government Digital Service’s Technology Leaders Network determines that the internet is an adequate solution to support the vast majority of public sector work
January 23, 2017 23 Jan'17
Government reaffirms broadband funding in industrial strategy plan

The government reaffirms previous commitments to further funding of rural broadband roll-out and 5G mobile networking in its post-Brexit industrial strategy plan
January 20, 2017 20 Jan'17
BT draws fire over broadband price hike

Consumer broadband groups have hit out after BT put up its broadband prices
January 20, 2017 20 Jan'17
NRF 2017: The key to success is not taking yourself too seriously, says Richard Branson

Serial entrepreneur and Virgin Group founder Richard Branson tells the audience at NRF 2017 to fail fast, pay it forward and to stop taking themselves so seriously
January 19, 2017 19 Jan'17
Avaya files for chapter 11 bankruptcy

Networking supplier has filed voluntary petitions under chapter 11 of the US bankruptcy code
January 19, 2017 19 Jan'17
Viasat builds IoT network for connected vehicle insurance

Satellite connectivity services supplier’s worldwide internet of things network will support customers operating connected vehicles
January 18, 2017 18 Jan'17
Expanding Doddle picks Cradlepoint to ease pressure on host networks

Click-and-collect service Doddle has implemented a cloud-based all-in-one network model to support its expansion, and be a better neighbour to its host organisations
January 18, 2017 18 Jan'17
EE hit with £2.7m fine for overcharging roaming customers

A failure to properly implement changes to how its system managed international dialling codes has seen EE fined £2.7m for incorrectly charging roaming customers
January 16, 2017 16 Jan'17
Network overhaul speeds up business for motor racing venue

Rockingham Motor Speedway in Northamptonshire beefs up network infrastructure to support expansive business plans
January 15, 2017 15 Jan'17
The evolution of smart Dubai

Aisha Bin Bishr, director general at Smart Dubai Office, discusses how Dubai is evolving as a smart city with the support of local telecoms provider Du.
January 13, 2017 13 Jan'17
Facebook under fire for WhatsApp security backdoor

A security researcher has discovered a vulnerability in the way WhatsApp implements encryption, raising concerns that it will be exploited by governments to spy on users
January 12, 2017 12 Jan'17
TechUK launches framework to build public trust in the IoT

Tech sector association techUK wants to help overcome public distrust in the internet of things
January 11, 2017 11 Jan'17
Deloitte predicts major advances in mobile technology in 2017

Deloitte’s 16th TMT Predictions report highlights advances in mobile networking and device technology
January 10, 2017 10 Jan'17
Brexit should not hinder 5G development, says report

A report commissioned by the government claims the UK’s 2016 vote to leave the European Union should have minimal impact on the country’s ability to lead on the development of 5G networks
January 10, 2017 10 Jan'17
Virgin Mobile extends virtual network deal with EE

Virgin Mobile will offer its customers enhanced mobile networking services under the terms of an extended deal signed with EE
January 09, 2017 09 Jan'17
City of London Corporation to build small cell Wi-Fi network

Residents, workers and visitors to the City of London will be able to log onto an ultrafast Wi-Fi network across the Square Mile later on in 2017
January 06, 2017 06 Jan'17
Telco turns Jersey into connected internet of things testbed

Telecoms operator JT will build a long-range wide area network to support IoT deployments across Channel island
January 06, 2017 06 Jan'17
At CES, network firms bring gigabit connectivity to carmakers

With more and more carmakers fitting out their newest models with advanced software platforms and new capabilities, attention at CES has also turned to the network connectivity needed to make connected vehicles work
January 06, 2017 06 Jan'17
Surrey County Council catches £3.8m gain share windfall for broadband

Local authority to receive £3.8m to extend a BDUK broadband roll-out through the gain share clauses written into its BT contract
January 04, 2017 04 Jan'17
Dubai-based Aramex optimises branch office connectivity

How global logistics firm streamlined its branch office operations in the Middle East
December 28, 2016 28 Dec'16
Top 10 mobile stories of 2016

A look back at Computer Weekly’s most-read mobile stories from 2016
December 23, 2016 23 Dec'16
Top 10 networking stories of 2016

A look back at Computer Weekly’s most-read networking stories of 2016
December 22, 2016 22 Dec'16
Extra £440m to get superfast broadband to hardest-to-reach places in UK

Government announces extra funding for its superfast broadband roll-out, with 600,000 more premises expected to benefit
December 21, 2016 21 Dec'16
European court delivers blow to Snoopers’ Charter

Parts of the controversial Investigatory Powers Act relating to the bulk collection of communications data have been ruled unlawful by the European Court of Justice
December 21, 2016 21 Dec'16
Top 10 broadband stories of 2016

A look back at Computer Weekly's most read broadband news, analysis and features from 2016
December 19, 2016 19 Dec'16
Consumers prepare for Christmas broadband misery

Holiday pressure on already over-capacity broadband services is likely to leave consumers frustrated this Christmas, according to a survey
December 16, 2016 16 Dec'16
Ofcom says 5% of UK properties still lack sufficient broadband access

Ofcom’s Connected Nations report highlights improvements in broadband speed and connectivity across the UK, as well as areas that are still ripe for improvement
December 15, 2016 15 Dec'16
Industry backs call for government action on 5G

The mobile industry has rallied around this week’s National Infrastructure Commission report on 5G and telecoms
December 13, 2016 13 Dec'16
Is there a Dutch digital delusion?

To stand still is to decline. The Netherlands seems to be losing ground in the digital world, according to new reports
December 08, 2016 08 Dec'16
Networking tech is key to unlocking business productivity

An LSE report produced for Vodafone identifies three key levers that could unlock business productivity in the UK
December 08, 2016 08 Dec'16
More than 2,000 TalkTalk routers hijacked by Mirai botnet variant

Security researchers are urging ISPs to issue emergency patches for Marai botnet infections after 2,374 TalkTalk routers were linked in a regional botnet
December 06, 2016 06 Dec'16
Aberdeenshire delivers wireless across schools and libraries

Aberdeenshire Council has built an estate-wide wireless network covering its schools, libraries and corporate buildings
December 06, 2016 06 Dec'16
Ofcom reveals duct and pole sharing proposals for fibre broadband

Regulator has made a number of suggestions to make it easier for broadband providers to get access to BT Openreach’s ducts and poles
December 05, 2016 05 Dec'16
Top 10 ANZ enterprise IT stories of 2016

Here is a rundown of Computer Weekly’s most popular ANZ enterprise IT articles for 2016
December 05, 2016 05 Dec'16
Top 10 Asean enterprise IT stories of 2016

The 10 most popular Asean articles of 2016
December 01, 2016 01 Dec'16
Mirai botnet hits Post Office Broadband and Kcom customers

Broadband providers Post Office Broadband and Kcom are among a number of operators to have been hit by a hack targeting Zyxel routing hardware
November 30, 2016 30 Nov'16
Transport Scotland turns to IoT mapping to keep roads clear in cold snap

Scottish transport authority is using Esri’s location technology to keep tabs on its gritters in icy weather
November 30, 2016 30 Nov'16
Marriott Hotels offers virtual site tours

Hotel chain has enlisted London mobility startup GoInStore to offer visitors to its website virtual facility tours
November 30, 2016 30 Nov'16
CityFibre targets underserved businesses with fibre broadband

Urban fibre supplier CityFibre is to connect 500 business parks across its 40-city UK network footprint to full-fibre services
November 29, 2016 29 Nov'16
BT and Openreach to split: but what will change as a result?

The telecoms industry has welcomed Ofcom’s decision to legally split BT and Openreach, but what, if anything, will actually change?
November 29, 2016 29 Nov'16
Ofcom to legally separate BT and Openreach

Telecoms regulator Ofcom is to push ahead with plans to require the legal separation of BT and Openreach
November 28, 2016 28 Nov'16
Surrey County Council extends BT PSN contract for two years

Council’s contract for Unicorn network, which provides a fully managed and integrated voice and data communications service, extended to 2021
November 28, 2016 28 Nov'16
Metro fibre dig backs new Newcastle datacentre build

Newcastle campus datacentre owner supports the connectivity needs of local businesses as well as cloud customers
November 27, 2016 27 Nov'16
Three urges consumers to pressure Ofcom over spectrum

Three joins forces with TalkTalk, CityFibre and others to urge consumers to put pressure on Ofcom over mobile spectrum capping
November 23, 2016 23 Nov'16
Government offers five-year tax holiday on new fibre networks

In his Autumn Statement, Chancellor Philip Hammond confirms a massive cash injection for broadband and 5G, and announces business rate cuts for new fibre broadband network builds
November 23, 2016 23 Nov'16
EE calls on competitors to commit to clarify coverage

EE CEO Marc Allera calls on his competitors to get behind a new proposal to offer better information on the geographical extent of mobile coverage around the UK
November 22, 2016 22 Nov'16
Derbyshire Constabulary picks O2 and Airwave to mobilise police officers

Derbyshire Constabulary is to outfit its frontline police officers with smartphones and applications in an attempt to improve visibility and efficiency
November 22, 2016 22 Nov'16
Chancellor to pledge £400m for FTTP broadband roll-out

The chancellor is set to announce a major investment in the UK’s broadband infrastructure in the upcoming Autumn Statement
November 21, 2016 21 Nov'16
Ofcom to block BT-EE from spectrum bid

Ofcom opens a new consultation on the delayed auction of ex-MoD radio spectrum for mobile broadband, but hopes to bar BT-EE from bidding for parts of it, citing competition concerns
November 18, 2016 18 Nov'16
Nestlé picks Telefónica to build IoT for coffee machines

Nestlé’s professional business services unit will incorporate internet of things technology into its coffee machines in pursuit of greater efficiency and customer satisfaction
November 18, 2016 18 Nov'16
European security industry has failed users, says expert

Cryptology expert Bart Preneel says the European security industry must commit to secure communication for the masses and open source is the key to secure infrastructure
November 18, 2016 18 Nov'16
Ordnance Survey to lay groundwork for UK 5G networks

The government has asked Ordnance Survey to develop a planning and mapping tool to help determine the future locations of 5G mobile network infrastructure
November 17, 2016 17 Nov'16
Smart meter benefits millions of pounds less than first thought, admits BEIS

The gross financial benefit from the national smart meter rollout could be hundreds of millions of pounds less than first thought, but the costs of the programme are still rising
November 17, 2016 17 Nov'16
Home Office confident in Emergency Services Network delivery despite risks

The Public Accounts Committee has begun its inquiry into the controversial Emergency Services Network, taking evidence from suppliers, emergency services and the Home Office
November 17, 2016 17 Nov'16
ASA calls for clarity on broadband speed claims

The Advertising Standards Agency turns its attention to how broadband providers advertise the speed of their packages, amid fears that consumers may be misled
November 15, 2016 15 Nov'16
GSMA calls for global 5G agenda

As advanced preparations begin for the next World Radiocommunication Conference in 2019, the GSMA calls on governments to work together on a global spectrum plan for 5G
November 15, 2016 15 Nov'16
TalkTalk bouncing back a year on from cyber attack, says CEO

A year after a major data security breach laid waste to its reputation, TalkTalk boss Dido Harding says things are turning around
November 15, 2016 15 Nov'16
Vodafone softens Brexit stance

Mobile network operator does not expect the UK leaving the EU to have a significant impact on its ability to carry out business as usual
November 11, 2016 11 Nov'16
White space spectrum to bring wireless broadband to Isle of Arran

Suppliers Nominet and Broadway Partners collaborate to trial the use of TV white space spectrum to improve broadband coverage on the Isle of Arran in Scotland
November 10, 2016 10 Nov'16
Government calls for input on inclusive smart energy policy

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has launched a consultation on the future of the smart energy sector
November 09, 2016 09 Nov'16
Road to safety: Self-driving cars in the Middle East

The Middle East could improve its poor record on road safety through the use of driverless vehicles
November 08, 2016 08 Nov'16
BT boosts broadband speeds for SME and consumer customers

Telco is increasing the broadband speeds it makes available for small businesses and consumer customers using its fibre-to-the-premises network
November 08, 2016 08 Nov'16
SSE Enterprise Telecoms doubles network footprint in Capita deal

SSE Enterprise Telecoms set to expand national Ethernet connectivity service for business customers, while Capita and Updata get additional strength for outsourcing projects
November 08, 2016 08 Nov'16
CIO interview: David Cooper, interim CIO at Centrica

Interim CIO at utility company Centrica tells Computer Weekly how his job is more than just keeping the lights on
November 07, 2016 07 Nov'16
Welsh government earmarks £80m for new broadband scheme

The Welsh Government is planning to invest up to £80m to extend its broadband roll-out across the entire country by 2020
November 03, 2016 03 Nov'16
Colt embarks on business network upgrade

Network services supplier Colt has committed to a system-wide network upgrade to supply customers with bandwidth levels of up to 100Gbps
November 03, 2016 03 Nov'16
British Airways to offer hybrid satellite, 4G broadband in Europe

Satellite communications specialist Inmarsat will provide broadband services for Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia and Vueling using its hybrid EAN network
November 01, 2016 01 Nov'16
Path to telco revenues lies through improved user trust, says KPMG

Report suggests that half of UK adults would switch telecoms and broadband provider in the event of a security breach, and identifies revenue opportunities in building trust among consumers
October 27, 2016 27 Oct'16
Google suspends US FTTP broadband roll-out

Google parent Alphabet calls a halt to its roll-out of FTTP broadband in the US as it embarks on a strategic rethink
October 27, 2016 27 Oct'16
Government launches inquiry into Emergency Services Network

The Public Accounts Committee is to scrutinise the controversial Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme
October 27, 2016 27 Oct'16
BT reports solid growth despite weak pound

The collapse in the value of the pound following the EU referendum has not dented BT’s confidence, with strong growth reported across multiple business units
October 26, 2016 26 Oct'16
Property firm flips to Azure to mobilise business processes

Property consultancy Strutt and Parker engaged cloud services provider 3GI to upgrade its IT systems to Microsoft Azure as more clients demanded a mobile-first approach