News

Telecoms networks and broadband communications

May 03, 2017 03 May'17
Mayor of London seeks chief digital officer

Capital’s first-ever chief digital officer will oversee the digital transformation of public services across London
May 02, 2017 02 May'17
No superfast broadband requirement in Digital Economy Bill

The Digital Economy Bill has received Royal Assent during the pre-election wash-up period, but a Lords amendment demanding a legal minimum broadband speed of 30Mbps has been ditched due to take-up concerns
April 28, 2017 28 Apr'17
Upload speeds an increasing concern for broadband users

Changing usage patterns and consumption habits mean that for many consumers, slow broadband upload speeds are as big a concern as slow download speeds, says survey
April 26, 2017 26 Apr'17
As HSCN transition begins, NHS trusts prepare to make the leap

NHS customers around the UK are starting to transition their networks from the decade-old N3 service to the new HSCN

April 20, 2017 20 Apr'17
Ofcom: Openreach must do more on duct and pole access

Ofcom releases more detailed proposals to enable CSPs to access Openreach’s national network infrastructure for fibre broadband roll out
April 19, 2017 19 Apr'17
Telefónica rolls out AI-based network management

Mobile operator tests Huawei’s SmartCare service operation centre to manage customer connections to its networks
April 12, 2017 12 Apr'17
Government must keep EU telecoms and broadband rules after Brexit

The Broadband Stakeholder Group has published a report on the future of the broadband and telecoms sector, urging the government not to lose touch with EU regulations after Brexit
April 11, 2017 11 Apr'17
Thurrock Council latest to put gigabit broadband in public housing

Thurrock Council will fit out thousands of publicly owned properties with gigabit fibre-to-the-premises broadband
April 11, 2017 11 Apr'17
Ofcom to readjust BT dark fibre pricing after error

Competition and Markets Authority rules in favour of appeal filed by TalkTalk relating to how much BT is allowed to charge other providers for buying dark fibre
April 11, 2017 11 Apr'17
Video will become ‘cash cow’ for telecoms providers, says Huawei

Video services have the potential to generate a lot of money for telcos, according to Huawei president of products and solutions Ryan Ding

April 10, 2017 10 Apr'17
Slough and Maidenhead to light up 48km fibre broadband network

CityFibre starts work on a new Gigabit City project in Berkshire, connecting businesses in Slough and Maidenhead to an ultrafast fibre broadband network
April 07, 2017 07 Apr'17
City of London Wi-Fi project contract awarded

The City of London Corporation’s plans to cover the Square Mile with a free, public access Wi-Fi project are moving ahead at speed
April 06, 2017 06 Apr'17
New subsea cable to connect Australia and Southeast Asia

The Indigo submarine cable will provide additional capacity to mitigate disruptions caused by fibre cuts, as well as meet the growing demand for internet services in the region
April 05, 2017 05 Apr'17
Ofcom plans to legalise narrowband mobile repeaters for UK consumers

Regulator launches consultation to give consumers legal access to their own narrowband repeaters to enhance mobile network access in their homes and vehicles
April 05, 2017 05 Apr'17
More than half of broadband users experience service problems, says Which?

A study of residential broadband users has found a clear majority of people continue to experience disruption to their service
April 04, 2017 04 Apr'17
Open Networking Summit expands collaboration around SDN and NFV

Standards bodies, suppliers, telecoms operators and academics gather in California for the annual SDN and NFV Open Networking Summit
April 04, 2017 04 Apr'17
Trump signs bill to repeal Obama-era internet privacy protections

US president Donald Trump approves the repeal of planned privacy protections, opening the way for ISPs to sell customer browsing data
March 31, 2017 31 Mar'17
Wholesale fibre price cut to benefit broadband users, says Ofcom

Ofcom is to cut the wholesale price that Openreach can charge other service providers for its fibre-based broadband products
March 31, 2017 31 Mar'17
Expanding business intelligence firm uses technology to bring in recruits

Chester-based GBG has saved £300,000 in recruitment costs and seen its ‘Glassdoor’ ratings jump from 1.9 to 4.2 out of 5
March 31, 2017 31 Mar'17
Nottingham Council tenants to get Hyperoptic broadband

Nottingham City Homes, which manages Nottingham Council’s public housing stock, has signed a supply deal with FTTP ISP Hyperoptic
March 30, 2017 30 Mar'17
Microsoft to shut Skype office in Sweden

Stockholm base sees 120 jobs put at risk as tech giant seeks to reduce its geographical spread
March 29, 2017 29 Mar'17
Belfast Waterfront centre equipped with state of the art network

Belfast City Council has refitted its Waterfront conference and entertainment venue with new smart building connectivity to enhance the staff and visitor experience
March 29, 2017 29 Mar'17
US internet users' browsing history may soon be up for sale

US president Donald Trump is expected to approve a resolution repealing planned privacy protections that will enable ISPs to sell customer browsing data
March 28, 2017 28 Mar'17
Singapore to shutter 2G services by April 1

2G is making way for 3G and LTE networks in the city-state, but the legacy technology will remain in other markets with significant machine-to-machine investments
March 27, 2017 27 Mar'17
Ofcom scuppers BT’s ‘deemed consent’ ploy

Telco regulator fines BT for abuse of an opt-out clause that avoids service level fines on delays to Ethernet installations
March 24, 2017 24 Mar'17
ISPs to pay automatic compensation for broadband faults

Telecoms regulator Ofcom says its plan, which would cover slow repairs and missed appointments, could see consumers in line for a payout of up to £185m every year
March 22, 2017 22 Mar'17
Most UK businesses in the dark about crucial DNS infrastructure

Most UK businesses have little visibility or control over their DNS servers and services even though they are a key component of businesses’ infrastructure and security profile
March 21, 2017 21 Mar'17
Co-operative Group overhauls retail store networks

The Co-operative Group has brought in BT to revitalise and upgrade legacy networking infrastructure at its food retail business
March 21, 2017 21 Mar'17
Lords call on ISPs, government to do more to safeguard children online

A House of Lords Select Committee report on online safety has called for internet service providers and the government to do more to protect the interests of children using the internet
March 20, 2017 20 Mar'17
Vodafone to power bike sharing service in Singapore

Vodafone’s internet of things platform will support Mobike’s global expansion plans
March 20, 2017 20 Mar'17
Openreach trains apprentice engineers in virtual reality

Openreach inductees get to experience an immersive simulation of life as an engineer, taking them up telephone poles and into underground chambers
March 14, 2017 14 Mar'17
What’s in the UK government’s 5G strategy?

The UK government’s 5G mobile strategy was released to coincide with the Spring Budget. We look at some of its key aims
March 14, 2017 14 Mar'17
Digital Economy Bill amended to protect Openreach pensions

The government introduces an amendment to the Digital Economy Bill to protect the pensions of BT employees transferring into the newly independent Openreach business
March 14, 2017 14 Mar'17
CIO interview: Simon McCalla, Nominet

Nominet, the registry for more than 10 million of the UK’s internet domains, is expanding into the internet of things and internet security services
March 10, 2017 10 Mar'17
Broadband controversy will linger despite BT Openreach split

Communications experts have welcomed the news that the legal separation of BT and Openreach will go ahead, but it remains unclear how, or when, the state of the UK's broadband will change for the better
March 10, 2017 10 Mar'17
BT agrees to Ofcom’s terms over Openreach split

BT agrees to Ofcom’s requirements for the legal separation of its arm’s length infrastructure division Openreach, which is now to become a distinct business
March 09, 2017 09 Mar'17
Glencoe Mountain Resort switches on 4G at 2,800ft

Skiers and snowboarders get access to EE's superfast 4G mobile broadband at Scotland’s Glencoe Ski Centre
March 08, 2017 08 Mar'17
Case study: Tamer Group boosts bandwidth and network connectivity

Saudi Arabian firm chooses point-to-point wireless to ensure it provides the connectivity required for a fast-growing business
March 08, 2017 08 Mar'17
BT, Ericsson, O2 and Vodafone expand Stem for girls scheme

BT and partners Ericsson, O2 and Vodafone are to expand a mentoring scheme launched last year to encourage girls into Stem careers
March 08, 2017 08 Mar'17
Budget 2017: IT skills, 5G, broadband, and R&D receive funding boost

Chancellor of the exchequer Philip Hammond targeted improvements in innovation, connectivity and education in his latest financial update
March 08, 2017 08 Mar'17
Spring Budget advances 5G strategy and broadband funding

The government has launched its 5G mobile strategy to coincide with Chancellor Philip Hammond’s Spring Budget, and has revealed more details of its planned broadband investment
March 06, 2017 06 Mar'17
Thorough network upgrade underpins University of Law’s IT

Legal education specialist the University of Law has undertaken a multi-million pound future IT project to refresh its networks, Wi-Fi and datacentre infrastructures across multiple locations
March 03, 2017 03 Mar'17
UK sailing team picks BT to help beat Oracle at America’s Cup

BT is to supply a 4G wireless and fixed network to support the Land Rover BAR America’s Cup team, led by Olympian Ben Ainslie, in its bid to win the 35th America’s Cup
March 02, 2017 02 Mar'17
BT to create 1,700 apprenticeships and graduate jobs

BT has announced it will create 1,700 apprentice and graduate positions across its group businesses this year
March 02, 2017 02 Mar'17
UK digital strategy highlights key issues but lacks measurable targets

The government’s digital strategy, which aims to set out plans to the “success of the UK’s digital economy” post-Brexit, has been received with mixed response by industry and experts
March 02, 2017 02 Mar'17
Singtel to start consumer IoT trials in Q3 2017

Southeast Asia's biggest telecom group Singtel has developed a platform that integrates standalone IoT applications, including connected cars
March 01, 2017 01 Mar'17
MWC 2017: Tata helps telcos transition to digital

Tata Communications Transformation Services has launched a digital transformation plan to help telecoms and mobile operators transition from communications service providers to digital service providers
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