News

Voice networking and VoIP

• July 29, 2021 29 Jul'21

  Profits, revenues fall but BT expands 5G, fibre in first quarter

  UK incumbent telco sees profits and revenues fall, but increases capital investments in next-generation wireless and extends Microsoft strategic partnership

• July 01, 2021 01 Jul'21

  Openreach warns UK firms to check comms CPE ahead of analogue switch-off

  Ahead of current analogue phone network reaching the end of its life by December 2025, UK broadband provider advises firms to start checking digital compatibility of CPE such as alarm services, lifts, payment card readers and medical equipment

• June 28, 2021 28 Jun'21

  Virgin Media O2 uses gigabit voucher scheme to connect rural Sussex homes

  Recently merged communications provider announces that it will, for the first time, make use of government’s Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme to help residents in West Sussex benefit from next-generation connectivity

• June 22, 2021 22 Jun'21

  Users’ network expectations change in new normal

  Ciena study reveals how sustainability, connected industries and always-on connectivity are shaping the UK’s digital post-Covid landscape

• June 09, 2021 09 Jun'21

  Cisco reveals new Webex to power ‘inclusive’ future of work

  Collaboration suite has new look and feel, and supports hybrid work collaboration at what is claimed to be 40% lower cost than à-la-carte systems

• June 02, 2021 02 Jun'21

  Virgin Media O2 launches with mission to transform UK comms industry

  Drawn-out merger of Liberty Global and Telefónica UK cable and mobile assets comes to fruition under new working brand aiming to power the UK’s recovery and create ‘unbeatable’ choice for consumers

• May 17, 2021 17 May'21

  EE boosts mobile coverage across London’s rail network

  As the UK embarks on the great indoor reopening and workers start returning to the office, BT’s mobile division beefs up mobile network capability along capital’s main commuter rail routes

• May 13, 2021 13 May'21

  Ericsson: 5G already changing smartphone usage behaviour

  Largest 5G consumer study to date finds seven in 10 5G users expect more innovative services and apps, while 20% have decreased usage of Wi-Fi on their phones at home and other locations after upgrading

• May 07, 2021 07 May'21

  Mildenhall claims digital communications upgrade first for East of England

  Openreach focuses on Suffolk market town for the next step towards upgrading to digital services, with properties now unable to buy copper broadband if they are upgrading, regrading or switching provider

• April 27, 2021 27 Apr'21

  Nokia, NewCore Wireless bring 5G, high-end broadband to remote US regions

  Global comms tech provider and regional operator bring next-generation broadband to US tribal nations to empower economic opportunity through support for e-learning, telehealth and remote work during the pandemic

• April 20, 2021 20 Apr'21

  Specific and targeted interventions necessary to ensure UK mobile tech diversification

  UK comms tech industry report highlights that successful diversification will require specific and targeted interventions to stimulate the supply market, de-risk the integration of new suppliers into operator networks and lay the foundations for ...

• March 25, 2021 25 Mar'21

  Qualcomm, 5G RuralDorset seed partnership to trial farming use cases

  Government announces relationship with wireless technology company to work with its DCMS 5G Testbeds and Trials Programme to power smart agriculture for remote farms in the Dorset region

• February 15, 2021 15 Feb'21

  Zoom fatigue kicks in as working from home becomes working from phone

  Research from leading telecoms operator finds over a third of Brits working from home are increasingly switching to mobile data to stay online in lockdown

• January 28, 2021 28 Jan'21

  Collaboration to the fore as ‘staggering’ change predicted for IT in 2021

  With 2020 exposing the leaders versus the laggards in enterprise digital transformation, research shows companies intend to invest in SD-WAN and MPLS, UCaaS and CCaaS to stay competitive in 2021

• January 14, 2021 14 Jan'21

  Zoom reveals phone product spike, public offer price

  Strong service performance, reliability and enterprise-grade features drive uptake of Zoom Phone as still rapidly growing conferencing firm announces $1.75bn share offering

• January 13, 2021 13 Jan'21

  Telstra International appoints South Asia head

  The international arm of Telstra has hired former DXC Technology executive Geraldine Kor as its managing director for South Asia to tap new growth opportunities

• January 11, 2021 11 Jan'21

  Used smartphone sales to dial in near double-digit growth in 2020

  Research shows refurbished and used devices continue to provide cost-effective alternatives for businesses looking to save money when buying a smartphone

• December 21, 2020 21 Dec'20

  5G roll-outs to continue apace in 2021

  New 5G launches will be led by telcos in forerunner markets, but the industry’s near-term outlook will depend on the timing of an economic recovery

• December 16, 2020 16 Dec'20

  Singapore employees want more support for remote working

  Singapore workers faced challenges in accessing internal company resources, spotty connections and had to use their personal devices for business while working remotely

• November 23, 2020 23 Nov'20

  Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5 launches unleash UK network traffic surge

  Game console launches show network providers need to upgrade their infrastructure and invest in the latest networking technology to ensure reliable, resilient and robust performance

• November 13, 2020 13 Nov'20

  IT Priorities 2020: ‘Benestrophe’ for networking as UK IT departments come to terms with new normal

  As 2020 ends, all traditional bets are off as Covid-19 completely changes the landscape of IT, with secure connectivity and cloud emerging at the core of enterprises’ needs for the foreseeable future

• November 08, 2020 08 Nov'20

  Optus to acquire Amaysim, signals decline of MVNO market

  Optus’s A$250m acquisition of Amaysim could signal the decline of the mobile virtual network market, according to Venture Insights

• October 27, 2020 27 Oct'20

  Covid crisis proves tech can replace office space and support cost-cutting at Barclays

  Bank says it will continue to look at its use of office space as it targets further cost-cutting measures

• October 26, 2020 26 Oct'20

  Chatbots will not replace call centre agents

  Chatbots have not lived up to their promises and are better poised to support call centre agents in the blended realm of customer service and employee collaboration, says a regional Avaya executive

• October 09, 2020 09 Oct'20

  CMA asks for right to probe O2/Virgin merger

  Competition and Markets Authority requests right to probe potentially game-changing joint venture that could transform UK’s wired and wireless communications provision

• September 11, 2020 11 Sep'20

  Zoom adds two-factor authentication for all users

  Latest enhancements to Zoom security make it easier for organisations to protect users and prevent breaches and unauthorised meeting access

• September 07, 2020 07 Sep'20

  Kudelski IoT Labs authorised as Alexa Voice Services test facility

  Internet of things division of cyber security firm brings device testing and certification expertise to implementers of Amazon Voice Services in speakers, headphones, vehicles and other connected devices

• August 19, 2020 19 Aug'20

  Zoom dials into Southeast Asia with Singapore datacentre

  Zoom’s new Singapore datacentre is expected to shore up the performance of its conferencing tool and phone service in the city-state

• August 03, 2020 03 Aug'20

  Application monitoring, video games dominate internet traffic in first half of 2020

  Increased focus on digital presence during lockdown likely to have prompted companies to invest more in ensuring and measuring application uptime and enhancing customer experience

• July 31, 2020 31 Jul'20

  VMware completes participation in UK contact-tracing app development

  The day after UK government announced that its long-awaited and controversial contact-tracing application would be available ‘shortly’, VMware revealed it has completed its role in the development

• July 22, 2020 22 Jul'20

  Nokia launches first commercial enterprise 5G standalone private wireless networking

  New technology aims to provide ‘direct to 5G’ entry point for high-spec industrial use case validation and ecosystem development

• July 20, 2020 20 Jul'20

  India’s Jio Platforms eyes global 5G opportunity

  Indian mobile network operator Jio Platforms has built a 5G solution that will meet domestic and global demand for 5G services

• July 17, 2020 17 Jul'20

  Three areas of remote working to consider

  A number of tech firms have used the shift to working from home, to develop new product offerings. We look at the IT impact

• July 09, 2020 09 Jul'20

  Locked-down Nationwide staff make 2.5 million video calls in June

  Home-working technologies are no longer just a contingency for large companies, with future working practices set to change

• July 02, 2020 02 Jul'20

  Cops take out encrypted comms to disrupt organised crime

  The UK’s National Crime Agency, alongside other law enforcement agencies in France and the Netherlands, have busted illicit arms and drugs rings after disabling an encrypted comms platform

• July 01, 2020 01 Jul'20

  Zoom making progress on cyber security and privacy, says CEO

  Three months after being hit by a spate of security incidents, Zoom’s CEO, Eric Yuan, has been discussing progress towards a more secure product

• June 24, 2020 24 Jun'20

  Two-thirds of UK adults to work remotely more often after Covid-19

  Research commissioned by Ciena reveals how coronavirus pandemic will likely change UK internet usage, as increased use of online home working applications is complemented by commensurate rise in online education

• June 18, 2020 18 Jun'20

  Zoom U-turns on end-to-end encryption

  Embattled video-conferencing provider Zoom backtracks on previous refusals to provide end-to-end encryption to free users

• June 16, 2020 16 Jun'20

  Activists call on Zoom to implement encryption for all

  A coalition of tech organisations and nonprofits have urged Zoom CEO Eric Yuan to make end-to-end encryption available to all users

• June 10, 2020 10 Jun'20

  Virtual GP practice accidentally exposes patient video calls

  A small number of users of Babylon’s GP at Hand service were briefly able to view other patients’ video GP consultations thanks to a bug in a new software feature

• June 03, 2020 03 Jun'20

  Worldwide user spending on cloud-based web conferencing technology will grow by nearly 25% in 2020

  Global workplace restrictions will drive expansion of cloud conferencing user base throughout 2020, but growth will taper off next year

• May 26, 2020 26 May'20

  Nokia joins the Open RAN Policy Coalition

  Finish comms tech provider reinforces its commitment to the development of future secure mobile radio technologies for 5G by joining open and software-defined network technology consortium

• May 15, 2020 15 May'20

  Covid-19: NHS reveals comms network strain as virus spread

  Patients hit the web and phone lines for coronavirus assessments, with demand peaking as lockdown was announced, says health service

• May 11, 2020 11 May'20

  Ericsson bullish on 5G despite Covid-19

  Comms tech company’s chief highlights the importance of connectivity during times of crisis and unprecedented surge in network traffic

• May 07, 2020 07 May'20

  Brits expected to call time on office life after lockdown

  O2 Business study reveals currently displaced workers see a permanent change to their company’s approach to flexible working

• May 04, 2020 04 May'20

  UK transport research body calls for safer in-vehicle technologies

  Voice-controlled systems are the future of autonomous, according to TRL, whose recommendations follow a report into Apple CarPlay and Android Auto demanding improved standards in voice-activated infotainment systems

• May 01, 2020 01 May'20

  Pre-owned device values stay strong amidst coronavirus pandemic

  More than half a billion dollars returned to US consumers in Q1 2020 as used and new mobile device markets stabilise after Covid-19 disruption

• April 27, 2020 27 Apr'20

  How Vonage is riding the e-commerce wave in Asia

  The surge in online sales across Asia has boosted demand for cloud-based communications services as more e-commerce players look to integrate text messaging, voice and video into customer engagement platforms

• April 17, 2020 17 Apr'20

  Fifth of UK small businesses concerned about prolonged remote working

  Small firms find the potential prospect of indefinite working from home a major challenge to future business

• April 15, 2020 15 Apr'20

  Managed services rev up revenues for SD-WAN in fourth quarter of 2019

  Analyst Omdia highlights the steady transition in 2019 from hardware-based to software-defined networking and predicts good times despite Covid-19

• April 14, 2020 14 Apr'20

  Coronavirus puts brakes on 5G core deployments

  Research firm identifies short- and long-term impacts that global pandemic will have on 5G core and edge networks

• April 08, 2020 08 Apr'20

  Samsung, AWS claim world’s first mission-critical comms video call

  MCPTX solution powered by leading cloud platform said to enable first responders to accurately assess vital moments using voice, data and video calls

• April 07, 2020 07 Apr'20

  BCS calls for IT recognition in coronavirus response

  Campaign launched by BCS aims to recognise the importance of IT staff in keeping UK workers connected during the coronavirus crisis

• April 06, 2020 06 Apr'20

  Wireless industry hails FCC spectrum announcement as game changer for Wi-Fi 6

  Proposed opening of the 6GHz band to Wi-Fi 6 technology in US set to provide more capacity than all other current Wi-Fi bands put together

• April 03, 2020 03 Apr'20

  Coronavirus: Vodafone confident of staying on the line

  The coronavirus outbreak has caused the UK’s pattern of working behaviours to change completely – and network operators are confident they can cope

• April 02, 2020 02 Apr'20

  Coronavirus: Is Zoom safe and should security teams ban it?

  Zoom’s rapid rise to prominence has highlighted a score of security problems with the service. Should CISOs try to steer their organisations away from it, or ban it outright?

• April 01, 2020 01 Apr'20

  HPE unveils open source software to reduce 5G complexity

  Open distributed infrastructure management software launched to resolve complexity that telcos face in rolling out 5G networks across thousands of sites equipped with multiple suppliers’ IT infrastructures

• March 27, 2020 27 Mar'20

  Coronavirus: Zoom accelerates away as office workers make video calls

  The Covid-19 pandemic has required people to change their working habits, and many are routinely using conferencing tools

• March 26, 2020 26 Mar'20

  Coronavirus: Mobile comms finds its voice as usage patterns evolve

  UK operators declare readiness of mobile networks as they enter uncharted water with millions of users displaced from offices during the working day

• March 25, 2020 25 Mar'20

  Coronavirus: Virgin finds new data trends as it creates 500 contact centre jobs

  Cable network provider issues assurance on the resilience of its infrastructure, which is under unprecedented strain from domestic users, and beefs up service staffing

• March 25, 2020 25 Mar'20

  Ericsson wins exclusive 5G contract with Cosmote Greece

  Swedish comms firm tapped for 5G radio access network to strengthen Greek provider’s existing networks and boost network quality, capacity, speed and operational efficiency

• March 25, 2020 25 Mar'20

  Coronavirus: UK comms regulator launches national campaign to assist home workers

  Ofcom, with the backing of government, broadband and mobile industries, launches guide for teleworkers to get the most from connections

• March 18, 2020 18 Mar'20

  4G arrives for eastern half of Jubilee Line

  Full 4G mobile connectivity arrives on half of one of London’s busiest Underground transport links, paving the way for extended communications throughout the network

• March 17, 2020 17 Mar'20

  Carphone Warehouse to close 531 standalone stores in UK

  Troubled UK computer and comms retailer takes what it calls essential next step in turnaround of UK mobile business

• March 17, 2020 17 Mar'20

  Covid-19: Three technology areas that CIOs must address

  CIOs will need to consider the IT measures that will be needed to support their organisations as the government ramps up its response to the coronavirus

• March 12, 2020 12 Mar'20

  Ericsson to acquire MC-PTT provider Genaker

  Swedish comms tech firm sees acquisition strengthening its ability to meet demands of transforming mission-critical communications and private network market

• March 12, 2020 12 Mar'20

  IT Priorities 2020: Benelux organisations and budgets focused on digital transformation

  IT leaders in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg expect bigger budgets this year, with spending on digital transformation projects and related technologies being prioritised

• March 10, 2020 10 Mar'20

  IT Priorities 2020: IP network investments top priority for Middle East IT leaders

  IT leaders in the Middle East expect to see increased spending on IP networks as digital transformation continues across the region

• March 09, 2020 09 Mar'20

  Birmingham and Liverpool take top spots in metro UK mobile speed tests

  Midlands and Merseyside metro areas come top for best places in the UK that power daily connected experiences

• February 27, 2020 27 Feb'20

  Nokia claims end-to-end 4G and 5G New Radio slicing first

  Finnish comms tech provider beefs up comms network essential equipment offer with 4G, 5G end-to-end slicing

• February 26, 2020 26 Feb'20

  More than half of UK businesses lack confidence to implement 5G

  EY study finds 5G investment set to soar among British businesses, but the majority are not confident in their organisations’ ability to deploy 5G

• February 24, 2020 24 Feb'20

  Coronavirus, global economic slowdown to cap 5G smartphone sales in 2020

  First half of 2020 will likely be much weaker than expected for the 5G smartphone market, but a strong bounce-back is possible in second half of the year if the coronavirus spread is brought under control

• February 21, 2020 21 Feb'20

  Cloud and 5G to drive SD-WAN adoption in APAC, says Silver Peak

  Cloud migration and 5G services will boost the uptake of SD-WAN in a region where some markets are still in the early adopter phase

• February 19, 2020 19 Feb'20

  Qualcomm makes major moves in 5G essential equipment

  Chip giant Qualcomm introduces third-generation 5G modem-RF system to enhance 5G performance and 5G/4G mobile filter technology

• February 07, 2020 07 Feb'20

  ‘Enormous’ growth prospects for 5G in enterprises

  Newly formed research body predicts global 5G enterprise mobile subscriptions will rise from 500,000 to 175 million by 2024

• February 03, 2020 03 Feb'20

  UK consumers demand greater reliability, not more speed, from mobile networks

  UK mobile users’ demands evolve as operators hit sweet sport for speed and consumers calling loud and clear for greater emphasis on network reliability

• January 28, 2020 28 Jan'20

  Cisco unveils business transformation suite for hyper-connected enterprise

  New tools claimed to help businesses push their boundaries by reimagining their applications, empowering their teams, securing their data and transforming their infrastructure

• January 27, 2020 27 Jan'20

  Openreach extends full-fibre network to rural UK

  UK national broadband infrastructure provider ramps up programme to deliver full-fibre to 200 locations, mainly towns and villages hitherto not passed by network

• January 24, 2020 24 Jan'20

  Singapore’s StarHub and M1 team up in 5G licence bid

  The two telcos are working towards the 17 February 2020 closing date for 5G proposals

• January 15, 2020 15 Jan'20

  Spry cancels out P&J Arena dead zones with multi-operator 4G coverage

  Tech supplier installs smart mobile signal booster in Aberdeen to ensure high-speed data connectivity for live video streaming and social media activities

• January 15, 2020 15 Jan'20

  Liberty Global Europe shakes up executive leadership

  UPC Switzerland chief executive flies in to take financial reins at Virgin Media in UK while former UPC Netherlands boss takes over Swiss and select eastern European operations

• January 14, 2020 14 Jan'20

  Vodafone extends UK 5G reach and introduces 5G roaming to Ireland

  Leading UK mobile operator claims 5G tech first and broadens 5G reach across UK and into the Republic of Ireland

• January 14, 2020 14 Jan'20

  Extreme Networks claims Wi-Fi 6 a game changer for US sports stadiums

  Cloud-driven networking technology and services company rolls out Wi-Fi 6 technology for Tennessee Titans, Houston Dynamo and Dash, Leeds Beckett University and West Texas A&M

• January 14, 2020 14 Jan'20

  EE scoops top rating in UK mobile connectivity assessment

  BT subsidiary wins top spot in UK mobile quality benchmark survey for sixth time running

• January 13, 2020 13 Jan'20

  SK Telecom gets close to the edge with global MEC task force

  As operators’ remits expand beyond providing mobile connectivity to offering new value based on infrastructure, leading Korean operator announces mobile edge computing association

• January 13, 2020 13 Jan'20

  Asia-Pacific to lead 5G technology adoption to 2024

  GlobalData analysis predicts that in the 5G era, Asia will lead the field and will hold half of 5G subscriptions globally by 2024

• January 09, 2020 09 Jan'20

  Nokia notches 63 commercial 5G tech equipment deals

  Finnish comms giant reveals huge strides in 5G essential technology deployment around the world

• January 08, 2020 08 Jan'20

  Poor UK internet connectivity and technology cited as hampering SME productivity

  Study suggests small businesses could be losing out on two and a half working weeks a year from employees because of unreliable internet connections and technology issues

• January 07, 2020 07 Jan'20

  Telco revs set to increase, but suppliers face critical challenges in 2020

  Potential good times set to roll for telecoms industry in 2020, with SD-WAN first deployments of 5G, but NB-IoT needs to gain traction to stay relevant, says research

• January 07, 2020 07 Jan'20

  China Broadcasting Network begins 5G services

  China’s national radio and TV network operator becomes fourth company to offer 5G services in the country, serving the cities of Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Shenzhen

• January 06, 2020 06 Jan'20

  Qualcomm and ZTE claim 5G landmark with voice-over-NR call

  Successful 5G VoNR calls sees tech companies declare an important step towards the commercial use of 5G voice experiences

• January 06, 2020 06 Jan'20

  OTT challenge to see mobile operators lose voice over next five years

  Harsh times predicted for voice services over the next five years as revenues are expected to nearly halve, but operators stand to be partially offset by nascent 5G-based offers

• December 20, 2019 20 Dec'19

  2020 set to usher in age of 5G always-on portable computing

  Analyst identifies key 5G trends that will bear fruit in new year and pours cold water on one hyped technology that it thinks won’t make it

• December 19, 2019 19 Dec'19

  Comms-platform-as-a-service revenues outpace unified-comms-as-a-service

  Communications-platform-as-a-service uptake is benefiting from its ability to quickly add new functionality, the ease with which it can be customised and the flexibility of its pay-as-you-go service model

• December 18, 2019 18 Dec'19

  EE switches on 5G in six more UK locations

  Operator broadens UK’s largest 5G network with six additional locations and announces aggressive plans for 2020

• December 17, 2019 17 Dec'19

  Cisco bolsters low-latency networking with Exablaze acquisition

  Networking giant makes strategic acquisition of Australian provider of ultra-low latency devices and FPGA-based applications

• December 17, 2019 17 Dec'19

  Ofcom eases broadband switch process and outlaws locked mobiles

  Regulator plans to make it easier for UK broadband customers to transition between different networks, or a full-fibre service on the same network

• December 13, 2019 13 Dec'19

  Smart speakers gain volume as VoLTE set for 140% growth over next five years

  Research shows products such as Amazon Echo and Google Nest will drive voice over LTE market growth

• December 13, 2019 13 Dec'19

  Huawei counted in as Telefónica Deutschland lays out mid-term strategy

  3G to be switched off in 2022 by Telefónica Deutschland as it lays out strategy to drive growth with particularly aggressive plan to accelerate 5G development

• December 09, 2019 09 Dec'19

  China, Japan, India to drive APAC networking spend to 2023

  Asia-Pacific enterprises are continuing to strengthen their network agility and service delivery capabilities with a view to offering converged service offerings, says GlobalData study