Telecoms networks and broadband communications
Broadband communications and telecoms networks have been key enablers for the internet revolution and for organisations using the web to deliver new online services. Broadband is key to the UK's economic success and competiveness, and the roll out of superfast, fibre-based networks to deliver the next generation of services has become a political and technological issue, especially for rural networks on the wrong side of the digital divide. We analyse the implications and opportunities for IT managers as broadband adoption continues to grow.
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News
01 May 2024
Google ups investment to improve Hawaiian internet infrastructure
Hawaii receives major financial fillip from Google to develop critical internet infrastructure across the state, connecting to Japan and mainland US Continue Reading
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News
30 Apr 2024
Nokia and Vodafone claim successful Open RAN trial in Italy
Leading comms tech provider and operator have successfully completed an end-to-end Open RAN trial on Vodafone Italy’s live 5G standalone network, including hybrid cloud application platform connected to dedicated 5G core Continue Reading
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News
13 Sep 2018
GCHQ mass surveillance regime was in breach of human rights law, European court rules
The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg has ruled that the UK’s collection of bulk interception of communications data lacked adequate oversight and safeguards and was in breach of human rights law Continue Reading
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News
13 Sep 2018
EU mobile roaming charges will not return post-Brexit, says Dominic Raab
Amid fears that a no-deal Brexit could lead to the reintroduction of EU mobile roaming charges, the government has pledged to set a legislative limit on how much operators can charge Continue Reading
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News
10 Sep 2018
Keppel, Salim Group to build new datacentre in Indonesia
The facility located on the outskirts of Jakarta is a response to the growing demand for connectivity and data services in Indonesia’s fast-growing digital economy Continue Reading
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News
05 Sep 2018
Nordic states collaborate in Arctic IT projects
Nordic countries are working together to introduce advanced communications networks in the most isolated Northerly regions Continue Reading
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News
04 Sep 2018
Government confirms West Midlands to become home to UK's first large-scale 5G test bed
The government has confirmed the West Midlands will be used to carry out the UK's first large-scale test of 5G technology, with trials centred on its use in the health, construction and automotive sectors Continue Reading
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Opinion
03 Sep 2018
From Aberdeen to Brighton: Investing in the UK’s digital future
More investment in the UK’s broadband infrastructure is critical to ensure the UK’s future success in technology in a post-Brexit world Continue Reading
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News
03 Sep 2018
NHS organisations in south-east England choose BT for HSCN
BT will provide broadband services over the Health and Social Care Network to 24 NHS trusts and clinical commissioning groups in the south-east of England Continue Reading
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News
29 Aug 2018
DCMS has £95m for full-fibre in final round of LFFN scheme
The government has announced the third and final round of the Local Full Fibre Network Challenge Fund, with £95m remaining to invest in local ultrafast broadband projects Continue Reading
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News
28 Aug 2018
Brussels loans Nokia €500m to fund European 5G research
European Investment Bank is loaning Nokia half a billion euros to accelerate 5G mobile network R&D Continue Reading
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News
23 Aug 2018
No Deal Brexit papers warn of stark future for UK tech
The government has published the first of its No Deal Brexit contingency planning notices, containing sobering messages for the UK technology industry Continue Reading
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News
23 Aug 2018
KT shows off 5G’s potential at Asian Games
The South Korean telecoms bigwig is showcasing a host of 5G applications at the Asian Games in the run up to the commercial launch of its 5G network next year Continue Reading
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News
21 Aug 2018
Windfarm benefit fund helps pay for full-fibre broadband
A number of communities in the Highlands are using benefit funds established by a local windfarm provider to pay for full-fibre broadband services Continue Reading
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News
20 Aug 2018
Fibre cable break takes Gatwick flight information screens offline
A broken fibre-optic cable has taken Gatwick Airport’s flight information screens offline, with airport staff forced to use whiteboards to provide information to passengers Continue Reading
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News
20 Aug 2018
Superfast broadband brings £9bn extra turnover for UK SMEs
Local businesses in areas covered by the government’s superfast broadband roll-out are making more money than ever before, according to a report Continue Reading
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News
16 Aug 2018
New broadband network builder British Fibre Networks starts roll-out
Recently established full-fibre broadband network builder BFN has ambitions to connect new-build homes to ultrafast services Continue Reading
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News
16 Aug 2018
CEO Robbins puts multi-cloud at the heart of Cisco’s business
Placing the supplier at the heart of the enterprise transition to multi-cloud environments seems to be paying off for Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins Continue Reading
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E-Zine
15 Aug 2018
CW ANZ: Gearing up for 5G
The potential benefits of 5G are certainly promising in Australia, which is seen as a test bed for 5G services with the country’s dense cities and wide open spaces. Indeed, telcos in Australia have used the recent Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in southeast Queensland to test their coming 5G networks. In this edition of CW ANZ, we look at how Australia is ushering in 5G services and the industries that will get the most out of the technology. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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E-Zine
15 Aug 2018
CW ASEAN: Preparing for 5G
As telcos gear up to roll out the first 5G networks, enterprises are keen to see how they can take advantage of faster 5G connectivity to support a broad range of applications, from the internet-of-things to high-fidelity remote applications. In this edition of CW ASEAN, we look at how telcos and enterprises are readying themselves for 5G and the opportunities presented by the new technology. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
15 Aug 2018
O2 tests Li-Fi transmission technology to enhance home networks
Mobile operator O2 is testing the application of Li-Fi technology, using LED light bulbs to transmit data packets, to enhance consumer wireless networks Continue Reading
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News
14 Aug 2018
Scottish property developer picks Hyperoptic full-fibre broadband
New-build developments in Glasgow set to receive gigabit full-fibre broadband connections Continue Reading
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News
14 Aug 2018
Driverless cars heading for Bromley and Croydon
A 10-month data-gathering exercise will pave the way for an autonomous vehicle ride-sharing service to start operation in 2019 Continue Reading
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News
13 Aug 2018
EE best for UK mobile performance, study finds
Users of EE’s 4G mobile network receive the best overall experience in the UK, according to RootMetrics’ latest study Continue Reading
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Blog Post
13 Aug 2018
How churn is breaking the telecoms market – and what service providers can do about it
This is a guest blog post by Brendan O’Rourke, head of design at BriteBill, an Amdocs company. It’s no secret that today’s customers are more demanding than previous generations. They share their ... Continue Reading
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News
07 Aug 2018
In-flight Wi-Fi availability drives passenger loyalty
A report published by Inmarsat appears to suggest that airlines which make on-board Wi-Fi more easily available are seeing more loyal customers as a result Continue Reading
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News
06 Aug 2018
Highlands and Islands broadband roll-out extended
The Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband roll-out is targeting 25,000 additional homes and businesses in the Highlands and Islands region Continue Reading
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News
03 Aug 2018
Advertised broadband speeds dropping across UK
Since new advertising standards around broadband were introduced in May 2018, most providers have cut the speeds they advertise, or stopped making speed claims altogether Continue Reading
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News
03 Aug 2018
Hyperoptic raises £250m funding to roll out full-fibre broadband
Broadband supplier Hyperoptic claims its latest round of funding is the largest ever single investment in the UK’s burgeoning full-fibre market Continue Reading
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News
02 Aug 2018
Three ploughs £276m into 5G preparation
Hutchison-backed mobile operator Three is spending lavishly as it bids to be first to market with a commercial 5G network Continue Reading
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News
01 Aug 2018
Consumers spend less cash on connectivity, but more time online
The total amount of money consumers are spending on fixed and mobile connectivity services has fallen for the first time in five years Continue Reading
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News
31 Jul 2018
Comms providers may be forced to notify out-of-contract users
Providers of landline, broadband, TV and mobile services will have to notify their customers when they approach the end of their minimum contract period under proposed new rules Continue Reading
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News
31 Jul 2018
3 Hong Kong gears up for 5G with “epic” transformation
The Hong Kong telco is putting in an advanced technical architecture that will streamline and automate internal processes and IT as it prepares for the 5G era Continue Reading
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News
27 Jul 2018
Openreach doubles down on full-fibre broadband roll-out
In its first annual review since splitting from BT, Openreach has recommitted to its targets for full-fibre broadband Continue Reading
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News
27 Jul 2018
BT bounces back in strong first quarter
After a run of bad news, there were some bright spots in BT’s first quarter financial results Continue Reading
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News
26 Jul 2018
O2 canvasses support from UK Plc to build case for 5G
O2 CEO Mark Evans is writing to every FTSE 100 boss in the UK seeking to build consensus around 5G use cases, and drum up support for investment Continue Reading
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News
25 Jul 2018
Vodafone sales tick down on new reporting rules
Quarterly sales at mobile operator Vodafone dipped thanks to the impact of new reporting standards and foreign exchange headwinds Continue Reading
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Opinion
25 Jul 2018
Beyond GDPR: ePrivacy could have an even greater impact on mobile
From how we monitor air pollution and manage our public transport systems, to how we enable connected cars and the next generation of 5G mobile services, the forthcoming ePR could have a lasting impact on European society Continue Reading
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News
24 Jul 2018
Ofcom proposes regulatory changes to support broadband investment
Following the recommendations of the government’s Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review, regulator Ofcom has proposed a package of measures to better support investment in full-fibre broadband Continue Reading
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News
24 Jul 2018
Openreach to cut wholesale broadband costs for CSP customers
Openreach plans to introduce wide-ranging cuts to FTTC and FTTP wholesale prices to get other providers to upgrade their users to faster broadband Continue Reading
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News
23 Jul 2018
BDUK has £200m to kick-start rural full-fibre network build
Government plans to use money from the BDUK superfast broadband programme to drive the roll-out of full-fibre broadband to underserved rural areas Continue Reading
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News
23 Jul 2018
Full-fibre broadband for all to cost £30bn
The government has released its Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review, setting the stage for the national roll-out of a full-fibre broadband network Continue Reading
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News
20 Jul 2018
Confusion reigns over value of 5G, says report
An Analysys Mason report commissioned by the Broadband Stakeholder Group has highlighted some of the challenges facing the deployment of 5G mobile networks in the UK Continue Reading
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News
20 Jul 2018
Cisco and UCL to open AI research unit in $100m digital economy boost
Cisco has extended its ongoing Country Digital Acceleration programme in the UK with a further $100m investment, part of which will go towards a new AI research centre Continue Reading
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News
19 Jul 2018
Digital consortium aims to develop digital inclusion project
A consortium of firms has come together to develop a project involving technology and local government partnerships to promote digital inclusion for those who are not digitally capable Continue Reading
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News
19 Jul 2018
Orange starts 5G tests in Paris
After successful trials in Romania, Orange begins testing 5G use cases in its home country Continue Reading
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News
17 Jul 2018
Spectrum costs hit the world’s poorest hardest
The inflated cost of radio spectrum to support mobile network roll-out is harming the economic and social welfare of billions of the world’s poorest people, says the GSMA Continue Reading
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News
17 Jul 2018
Kcom secures second aggregate HSCN contract
Network services provider Kcom will supply broadband connectivity over the Health and Social Care Network to 10 health organisations in the north-east of England Continue Reading
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News
15 Jul 2018
A quarter of Brits think they already have full-fibre broadband
CityFibre research commissioned to support its campaign for more clarity in broadband advertising appears to show widespread misunderstanding of what fibre is or what it means Continue Reading
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News
10 Jul 2018
NIC calls for nationwide broadband plan
The National Infrastructure Commission has called for a national broadband plan to support full-fibre roll-out Continue Reading
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News
09 Jul 2018
UK slips down broadband speed league table
Although average broadband speeds in the UK have improved in the past year, other countries are moving faster, according to new data from comparison site Cable.co.uk Continue Reading
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Blog Post
09 Jul 2018
Guidance today for a 5G/IoT World Tomorrow
This might best be achieved by engaging sponsors via sector/market/problem specific practitioner workshops to distil current good practice into draft guidance that could be used by those who will ... Continue Reading
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News
09 Jul 2018
Superbike team adds managed UC to support racers
Crescent Racing, Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team has enhanced its existing relationship with MSP GCI to include new unified comms and Skype for Business elements Continue Reading
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News
09 Jul 2018
Three chooses SSE for 5G fibre backhaul
SSE Enterprise Telecoms will connect Three’s mobile network into BT’s local telephone exchanges as the mobile operator ramps up its preparation for 5G Continue Reading
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News
09 Jul 2018
London NHS organisations pick Kcom for HSCN
Network services supplier Kcom has been named as the preferred bidder for the Once for London Health and Social Care Network contract Continue Reading
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News
05 Jul 2018
Ofcom lays out plan for UK fixed wireless networks
Telecoms regulator has set out a wide-ranging plan covering the roll-out of fixed wireless access networks in the UK to support national connectivity and other uses Continue Reading
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News
05 Jul 2018
Australian startups team up to keep wind turbines humming
Using acoustic sensors and nanosatellite connectivity, two Australian startups hope to identify potential turbine problems before they occur to secure the country’s wind energy Continue Reading
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News
04 Jul 2018
Slow broadband fuels a post-Brexit storm for rural communities
Lack of access to reliable broadband and mobile networks threatens rural livelihoods after Brexit, according to a Local Government Association report Continue Reading
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News
04 Jul 2018
Industry bets on fixed wireless access for first 5G deployments
Separate tests in Romania and the UK have been demonstrating the potential of fixed wireless access as a component of 5G Continue Reading
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News
04 Jul 2018
Software firm Clevermed enhances NHS user experience on Health and Social Care Network
Clevermed, a supplier of maternity and neonatal care record software to the NHS, reveals how users are benefiting after it switched to the new Health and Social Care Network Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Jul 2018
How APAC enterprises and telcos are preparing for 5G
From Singapore to Tokyo, enterprises and mobile operators across Asia have been readying themselves for the next big leap in mobile connectivity that promises to speed up business operations and improve lives Continue Reading
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News
29 Jun 2018
Home Office criticised over ESN review progress
In an appearance before the Public Accounts Committee, Home Office permanent secretary Philip Rutnam defended the progress of the ESN project review Continue Reading
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News
29 Jun 2018
Openreach starts full-fibre roll-out in Exeter
Network builder Openreach adds Exeter to its Fibre First FTTP broadband roll-out Continue Reading
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News
27 Jun 2018
Brent Council tenants to receive full-fibre broadband service
Borough-wide FTTP broadband roll-out could address up to 100,000 homes and businesses in North London Continue Reading
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News
26 Jun 2018
SSE Enterprise Telecoms bids to solve UK’s backhaul problem
By layering Infinera technology over its existing network, SSE Enterprise Telecoms plans to deliver what it refers to as a ‘dark fibre-like’ access product for communications services providers Continue Reading
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News
25 Jun 2018
Openreach extends Gfast broadband roll-out
Openreach commits to rolling out Gfast broadband services to 59 new locations in the next phase of its ultrafast deployment plan Continue Reading
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News
25 Jun 2018
Mobile spectrum sharing is vital for UK 5G roll-out, says report
A report commissioned by independent network builders’ body Inca has warned that current approaches to how spectrum is apportioned are leaving vast amounts unused, and this needs to change Continue Reading
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News
22 Jun 2018
How Australia is gearing up for 5G
From trialling 5G networks at the recent Commonwealth Games to flying drones in surf sport lifesaving, Australia is becoming a test bed for 5G services with its dense cities and wide-open spaces Continue Reading
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News
22 Jun 2018
SME provider takes on Cambridgeshire public sector network contract
Managed network services provider MLL Telecom has been awarded the EastNet contract to run WAN services across Cambridgeshire, replacing a legacy Virgin Media Network Continue Reading
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News
21 Jun 2018
M1, Huawei to transmit VR content in 5G live trial
Mobile operator M1 and Huawei will be streaming virtual reality content in Singapore’s first 5G live trial in June Continue Reading
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News
20 Jun 2018
Vodafone to start 5G trials this autumn
MNO announces 5G trials in seven UK cities, with new mobile network infrastructure to be rolled out from October Continue Reading
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News
20 Jun 2018
Mobile operators appeal for dark fibre access to back 5G
O2, Three and Vodafone unite in calling for more to be done to open up dark fibre networks to supply desperately needed capacity for their future 5G networks Continue Reading
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News
19 Jun 2018
Government’s broadband service obligation derided by industry
As Ofcom starts the process of finding a provider willing to step up to manage the government’s 10Mbps broadband universal service obligation, the project has been derided by network builders and stakeholders alike Continue Reading
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News
19 Jun 2018
CIO interview: Michael Cole, European Tour and Ryder Cup
Michael Cole, chief technology officer at the European Tour and Ryder Cup, discusses how he is helping the sport of golf broaden its appeal through his “connected course” digital transformation vision Continue Reading
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News
14 Jun 2018
Ofcom satisfied with progress on BT Openreach split
Ofcom has published its first annual report on the legal separation of BT and Openreach, and said it is broadly satisfied with progress to date, despite hiccups relating to the BT pension scheme Continue Reading
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Blog Post
13 Jun 2018
Fixing the future of Fax - more important than you might have thought?
There is a term which crops up a lot in the technology sector - ‘legacy’. Occasionally, especially when talking to very long-established companies, the term ‘heritage’ occurs. It is useful ... Continue Reading
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News
12 Jun 2018
Mayor Khan bids to make London the world’s smartest city
At London Tech Week, mayor Sadiq Khan launched a city-wide initiative to harness the capital’s technology talent to address London’s most pressing problems Continue Reading
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News
12 Jun 2018
CityFibre wins key decision in fake fibre case
CityFibre has been granted permission to proceed with a judicial review of the ASA’s November 2017 decision about the use of the term fibre in broadband ads Continue Reading
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Opinion
11 Jun 2018
Is 5G more than just another generation of mobile?
Although several mobile network operators have announced launch dates for 5G services, many people remain unsure about the aspirations for 5G, what it means for users, its monetisation and its timescales Continue Reading
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News
10 Jun 2018
Singapore government to regulate eSIM technology
The government is gathering feedback on key proposals such as forbidding telcos to lock embedded SIM-enabled devices to their networks Continue Reading
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News
08 Jun 2018
BT’s Gavin Patterson quits under shareholder pressure
Patterson’s resignation comes just weeks after he announced 13,000 redundancies across BT Continue Reading
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Blog Post
08 Jun 2018
The hunt is on for a new BT CEO, but who would fill Gavin Patterson's shoes?
Facing negative PR all around after announcing a strategic realignment that is to see 13,000 employees made redundant and the closure of its central London HQ after over 100 years, even the good ... Continue Reading
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News
07 Jun 2018
Newcastle Council to show off smartest street in Britain
The Great Exhibition of the North will see Mosley Street in Newcastle upon Tyne transformed into Britain’s smartest street as part of a demonstration of IoT technology Continue Reading
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News
07 Jun 2018
5G transformative for UK plc, but potential impacts still vague
5G mobile technology looks set to transform the UK economy for the better, but the immaturity of the technology and lack of standards makes its true impact harder to judge, according to a report by Deloitte Continue Reading
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News
06 Jun 2018
EE confirms October 2018 UK launch date for first 5G live trials
Mobile operator outlines plans to test its 5G network within London’s Tech City startup hub, as its push to become the UK’s first to market with the technology gathers pace Continue Reading
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News
01 Jun 2018
Ethical hacker, 86, rises to Santander’s challenge
Elderly hacker with little computing experience was able to hack WiFi and create phishing attack Continue Reading
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29 May 2018
How Turkish mobile operators are helping the vast Syrian refugee population to help themselves
Turkish mobile network operators are designing services that will help Syrian refugees make their lives in the country. Continue Reading
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E-Zine
29 May 2018
Tech's role in tackling humanitarian crises
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we learn about how mobile connectivity is a lifeline for Syrian refugees in Turkey, thanks to the mobile network operators in that country. Our latest buyer’s guide examines how modern network security enables digital transformation at a range of companies. And we find out about the technology strategy of logistics firm Hermes from its CIO, and about British Airways’ use of Salesforce to globalise its B2B sales. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
25 May 2018
Former Macedonian PM convicted in corruption case exposed by illegal government surveillance
Information exposed by leaked recordings that were part an illegal mass surveillance campaign orchestrated under the government of former prime minster Nikola Gruevski have led to his conviction for corruption. He was found guilty of rigging a tender and receiving a luxury Mercedes as a bribe. He may still appeal the ruling Continue Reading
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E-Zine
24 May 2018
CW Nordics: Finland delays e-voting plan
Security concerns have re-emerged to further frustrate the Finnish government’s plans to launch a national e-voting system. Also read about a study by the Stockholm School of Economics that looks at the likely impact of AI, machine learning and robotics on people’s lives. And find out why Norway has accelerated plans to scale up its national cyber security infrastructure. Continue Reading
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News
23 May 2018
Government pledges full-fibre broadband for all by 2033
In a speech to the CBI, chancellor Philip Hammond pledges to build a nationwide FTTP network by 2033 Continue Reading
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News
22 May 2018
Qualcomm and Facebook working on FWA broadband
Qualcomm is to integrate a number of its chipsets with Facebook’s Terragraph technology to build fixed wireless access broadband solutions for urban areas Continue Reading
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News
21 May 2018
Openreach launches Scottish fibre training school
Openreach has launched its Scottish engineering school in Livingston as it prepares to train 400 new broadband specialists to run its full-fibre roll-out Continue Reading
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News
18 May 2018
Three ditches 3G mobile phones
Three has become the first of the big four UK mobile operators to stop selling 3G mobile devices Continue Reading
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News
18 May 2018
GDS seeks advice on migration from Public Services Network
The Government Digital Service has started the process of moving public sector organisations away from the Public Services Network Continue Reading
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Blog Post
16 May 2018
BT's network convergence strategy is a win: nobody's talking about full-fibre broadband today
After yet another set of lacklustre earnings and with over 10,000 staff facing the axe, embattled BT CEO Gavin Patterson needed a quick win. Today's launch of new consumer offerings from both BT ... Continue Reading
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News
16 May 2018
BT and EE to converge fibre broadband, 4G networks
BT’s consumer unit has launched a network convergence strategy designed to make the most of its national fibre and 4G network assets Continue Reading
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News
15 May 2018
Vodafone CEO Colao steps down
Long-serving Vodafone CEO Vittorio Colao will step down in October after just over a decade in charge Continue Reading
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News
15 May 2018
Openreach starts countdown to the end of analogue phone services
Openreach has started a consultation on the future of telephony services as its parent signals plans to switch off analogue PSTN phone services in seven years' time Continue Reading
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News
14 May 2018
MPs demand 4G mobile network coverage obligation for rural areas
The Rural Business All-Party Parliamentary Group has written to Matt Hancock calling for the government to put legally binding targets in place for 4G mobile network coverage Continue Reading
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Blog Post
11 May 2018
Do ISPs need to do more to protect their users from scams?
Are Britain’s internet service providers (ISPs) coming up short when it comes to helping their less tech-savvy users protect themselves against the scourge of telephone scams and online fraud? In a ... Continue Reading
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News
11 May 2018
KCOM picks Amdocs to enhance network transition
East Yorkshire and Humberside’s incumbent telco to implement new service delivery platform as it upgrades its network Continue Reading