Internet infrastructure

Over a million homes can now access FTTP, says Ofcom

Access to viable broadband services continues to improve across the UK, according to Ofcom Continue Reading

Enterprise accessibility: How Cray is using HPC to open up AI use cases from the datacentre

Enterprises interest in HPC is reportedly being fuelled by the rising demand for artificial intelligence-based applications and services, and Cray is one of a number of providers looking to cash in Continue Reading

Government given six months to rewrite snoopers’ charter

The government has until 1 November 2018 to rewrite a key section of the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, after the high court declared them unlawful in a judicial review brought by human rights group Liberty Continue Reading

BT risks ‘fading away’ in full-fibre future, says Ofcom CEO

BT risks being consigned to the dustbin of failed tech companies if it messes up the transition to full-fibre broadband networks, says Ofcom CEO Sharon White Continue Reading

TSB IT meltdown has the makings of an epic

TSB’s very public IT problems will send shivers down the spine of IT teams at large banks that are yet to migrate to new core banking systems Continue Reading

Full-fibre broadband specialist CityFibre acquired for £538m

Full-fibre broadband specialist CityFibre is to be bought by a Goldman Sachs-backed consortium as it seeks more cash to fulfil its expansion plans Continue Reading

Google hails positive economic impact of US datacentre growth

Google claims the expansion of its datacentre portfolio in recent years has generated thousands of jobs and seen it contribute billions of dollars to the US economy Continue Reading

Vodafone CityFibre broadband venture gathers pace

Residents of four more cities – Coventry, Edinburgh, Huddersfield and Stirling – will be hooked up to the ultrafast full-fibre broadband service in the coming months Continue Reading

Community Fibre gets £25m to fund broadband in London

Broadband supplier receives backing from the National Digital Infrastructure Fund to bring full-fibre services to 100,000 more properties across London Continue Reading

Estonia’s digital residency programme faces first headwind

The Baltic country’s programme to offer anyone, anywhere a chance to run a company online is facing its first crisis Continue Reading

CW ANZ: OpenStack gains a foothold in Australia

In this issue of CW ANZ, we look at how OpenStack has changed the way Australian enterprises operate their IT infrastructure. Also read how Australia’s Citic Pacific Mining is digging into IoT technology to track vehicles, and how Telstra is investing in two submarine cables to bolster Asia-US connectivity. Continue Reading

CW ASEAN: SD-WAN helps find best route to cloud

This year, more enterprises will adopt a “cloud-first” SD-WAN architecture to support their increasingly cloud-based application mix. In this issue of CW ASEAN, we take a closer look at how ASEAN enterprises are gearing up for this eventuality. Also, read how a new HPE facility in Singapore will help build collaborative partnerships across the internet of things, and how communications service providers should embrace microservices and DevOps to thrive in the digital economy. Continue Reading

Russian energy giant makes digital tech adoption a priority

Russian oil and gas giant Gazprom Neft is exploring the use of the latest digital technologies across its entire business Continue Reading

Fintech sector increasingly attractive compared to traditional banking for IT professionals

Fintech job vacancies are growing, while less are being advertised in traditional banking sector companies Continue Reading

EU-US data sharing under threat as Irish court refers Facebook case to Europe

The Irish High Court is seeking answers from the European Court of Justice in a case that could have huge implications for EU-US data sharing and raises questions about US government surveillance of EU citizens. The move could bring a five-year legal battle between Austrian lawyer Max Schrems and Facebook to a close Continue Reading

LGA proposes full-fibre broadband kitemark for homebuyers

The Local Government Association has urged housing developers to adopt proposals for a fibre-to-the-premises broadband kitemark for new-build homes in rural areas Continue Reading

Future of internet regulation is focus of Lords inquiry

Inquiry will seek evidence on whether or not the law is up to the job of regulating online platforms such as Facebook, and what improvements can be made Continue Reading

Arm and Nvidia collaborate on internet of things intelligence

A collaboration between Arm and Nvidia looks to provide deep learning and artificial intelligence on internet-connected devices Continue Reading

Government sets deadline for affordable 10Mbps broadband

Ofcom set the task of implementing the rules that ensure everyone in the UK can access affordable high-speed broadband by 2020 Continue Reading

European insurtech growth dwarfs US

Europe is seeing rapid growth in its insurtech as investors pump hundreds of millions into the sector Continue Reading

The walking dead: Is there life left in 4G mobile networks?

These days, 5G grabs all the hype and headlines, but 4G still has plenty more to give. It’s a good thing, too, as operators have no choice but to sweat their assets Continue Reading

Scottish village rolls out FTTP broadband at half normal cost

Residents of the remote village of Balquhidder in Stirlingshire have banded together to roll out a full-fibre broadband network at just half the cost of a normal fibre network build Continue Reading

Canadian broadband expertise speeds Gigaclear fibre dig

Rural broadband provider Gigaclear has enlisted Canadian firm Lite Access Technology to assist in the roll-out of full-fibre services to 10,000 properties in Oxfordshire Continue Reading

CityFibre consumer broadband collaboration hits Peterborough

CityFibre is returning to one of its earliest Gigabit City projects with Vodafone in tow to upgrade thousands of homes in Peterborough to gigabit-capable full-fibre broadband Continue Reading

Fintechs weigh up their partnership options

Fintechs need to consider what type of companies they should work with to make the most of open banking regulations Continue Reading

HPE pushes prescriptive AI for industrial applications

Predicting when a machine will fail is one thing, but HPE hopes its artificial intelligence service will help businesses augment their maintenance programmes Continue Reading

Danish government launches business-focused national digital strategy

Denmark’s government has launched a plan to get more small businesses into the digital economy as it targets being a leader in advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence Continue Reading

Case study: Stationery firm gets things moving with FTTP broadband voucher

Nuco, a Midlands-based supplier of paper and stationery products, has improved its business agility and is moving its IT into the cloud thanks to the government’s full-fibre broadband connection voucher scheme Continue Reading

Ofcom opens 5G spectrum auction

Ofcom has opened the bidding in the auction of spectrum to support 4G and 5G mobile networks Continue Reading

When tech firms get too big - will Facebook & Google follow the cycle of IBM & Microsoft?

The technology industry is still relatively young, and certainly has a lot more growth to come. But it’s old enough now for us to see the repeating trends that make regulatory and legal ... Continue Reading

Australia, ASEAN deepen links on smart cities and digital trade

Besides fostering smart city development across Southeast Asia, Australia and ASEAN will also support the use of digital trade standards across the region’s booming e-commerce market Continue Reading

Southwark brings full-fibre broadband to council estates

London’s Southwark Council has enlisted Hyperoptic to deliver FTTP broadband services across its housing portfolio Continue Reading

IT contractors not a risk despite Snowden leaks, GCHQ tells court

The government argues in the Investigatory Powers Tribunal that contractors with systems administration rights to computers holding GCHQ’s most sensitive intelligence pose no more of a security risk than the agency’s employees Continue Reading

Ofcom sets out 5G spectrum auction process

Regulator has given details of the two-stage 5G mobile network spectrum auction process that will begin next week Continue Reading

Openreach to open 12 fibre broadband engineering schools

Openreach has opened the first of 12 planned training centres around the UK as it sets out to recruit more than 3,000 fibre broadband engineers Continue Reading

Full-fibre broadband voucher scheme gets green light

Chancellor Philip Hammond has signed off on £67m to fund full-fibre broadband connections for small businesses around the UK Continue Reading

Stoke Council picks VX Fiber to light up fibre broadband network

VX Fiber’s Open Access Platform will allow Stoke-on-Trent council to realise a return on its fibre investment while bringing gigabit broadband services to homes and businesses Continue Reading

Government hands out £95m for local full-fibre broadband

The government has named the first recipients of a £190m tranche of funding to realise local full-fibre broadband projects Continue Reading

Government ‘unlawfully delegated’ bulk data powers to GCHQ, court hears

Privacy International urges Britain’s most secret court, the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, to rule that the government illegally collected surveillance data from internet and phone companies until at least September 2017 Continue Reading

Singapore tops global rankings on smart cities

The city-state of Singapore was lauded for its efforts in tapping the internet of things to improve public infrastructure and services in a global study by Juniper Research Continue Reading

Scottish government to spend £25m to fill 4G coverage gaps

The Scottish government has announced a £25m programme to infill gaps in 4G mobile network coverage across Scotland Continue Reading

Regulator takes tougher line than expected on surveillance warrants

The Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office has signalled to government that it will take a tough line when scrutinising surveillance warrants under the controversial Investigatory Powers Act Continue Reading

Government reveals winners of 5G mobile competition

The government has unveiled the winners of a multimillion-pound competition to create 5G mobile network testbeds around the UK Continue Reading

Amazon bank could have 70 million customers in five years

Amazon could have more banking customers in the US than the UK has citizens within five years Continue Reading

Will Brexit really bring the return of mobile roaming charges?

As Theresa May commits to quitting the EU’s digital single market alongside Brexit, heralding the potential reintroduction of mobile roaming charges, are business travellers and holidaymakers doomed to a return to the bad old days? Continue Reading

Ofcom probes Three and Vodafone over suspected net neutrality breaches

Telecoms regulator launches investigation into whether or not mobile operators Three and Vodafone are flouting European rules on net neutrality Continue Reading

Developed APAC countries well-poised for the cloud

With strong policies in data protection and cyber security, Japan, Australia and Singapore are among countries that are most prepared to reap the benefits of the cloud Continue Reading

Government sets out tighter security measures for IoT devices

The government has announced plans to develop a new code of practice to improve the security of connected internet of things devices Continue Reading

Norway’s Statkraft outsources IT infrastructure management

Energy company awards India’s HCL five-year IT deal in order to free up resources to focus on core business Continue Reading

Getting up to speed with 5G

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we look at what needs to be done to make next-generation 5G mobile networks a reality. Fewer EU workers are moving to the UK due to Brexit fears – we examine what that means for the IT skills gap. And we analyse the state of the hyper-converged infrastructure market and the main suppliers. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Fibre broadband network builder challenges ASA on fake fibre

CityFibre has filed for a judicial review of the Advertising Standards Authority’s November 2017 decision to allow fibre-to-the-cabinet broadband to be advertised as fibre Continue Reading

People at risk of psychological side-effects of screen addiction

Many Brits spend more than 10 hours a day attached to a screen and 60% look at two at once, research shows Continue Reading

Mobile World Congress 2018: The key technologies and issues in mobile

Computer Weekly presents a round-up of the hot technologies and issues being discussed at Mobile World Congress 2018 in Barcelona Continue Reading

New privacy fears as IT challenges delay surveillance oversight body by a year

IT challenges have delayed government plans for an independent body to authorise requests to access the public’s internet and phone records by nearly a year, raising new legal and privacy concerns Continue Reading

MWC 2018: Cisco and Vodafone demonstrate network slicing

At Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, network supplier Cisco and mobile operator Vodafone demonstrated network slicing techniques using segment routing Continue Reading

Six bidders set to take part in 5G mobile spectrum auction

Ofcom has confirmed the names of the six companies that have successfully qualified to take part in this year’s mobile spectrum auction Continue Reading

Ofcom to enforce new rules on broadband speed disclosure

Telecoms regulator Ofcom is to impose new measures on broadband providers, forcing them to provide better information about speeds to consumers Continue Reading

Taxing tech giants on revenue only ends up with us customers paying more

EU proposals to tax internet companies based on sales in each country fail to apply the tax burden on the right people Continue Reading

Government must rewrite illegal sections of Snoopers’ Charter, court told

A court has been asked to give ministers until July 2018 to rewrite powers to require phone and internet companies to retain data on the population. The government acknowledges parts of surveillance regime are unlawful Continue Reading

Is Brexit an existential threat to the new (including digital) Establishment?

Uncontrolled Brexit is an existential threat to the British Establishment and the Westminster lobbying community Continue Reading

MWC 2018: Telefónica aims to connect 100 million in Latin America

At Mobile World Congress, telecoms operator Telefónica launches a new initiative to bring 100 million people in Latin America online by using mobile networking technology for the first time Continue Reading

NatWest opens four UK fintech hubs

NatWest has expanded its financial technology support programme at a time when entrepreneurs are more apprehensive than ever Continue Reading

Surveillance watchdog investigates security risks of GCHQ IT contractors

The investigatory powers commissioner is reviewing the security arrangements for IT contractors that have access to live computer systems at GCHQ holding highly sensitive records on the UK population Continue Reading

MWC 2018: 5G 'open for business', says Ericsson CEO

At Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Ericsson CEO Börje Ekholm has been expanding on early commercial opportunities for 5G mobile networks Continue Reading

Estonia wants to introduce special visa for digital nomads

Baltic state’s next digital development could be a visa targeted at people who work online and are location independent Continue Reading

Ofcom pledges to halve the cost of full-fibre broadband network builds

Telecoms regulator Ofcom has finalised plans to make full-fibre broadband network builds cheaper, and encourage more private sector investment Continue Reading

5G mobile network rocks up in Brighton

Digital Catapult and the Coast to Capital LEP will switch on a 5G mobile network test bed in Brighton in April 2018 Continue Reading

O2 uses The O2 to run 5G mobile network trials

Mobile network operator O2 is to trial a 5G ‘experience’ at the eponymous London music venue later in 2018 Continue Reading

CityFibre launches consumer broadband partnership in Aberdeen

CityFibre and Vodafone are preparing to launch a consumer FTTP broadband service in Aberdeen Continue Reading

Lloyds Bank announces three-year digital transformation

Lloyds Bank has announced plans to transform how it serves customers through substantial digital investment Continue Reading

VX Fiber brings Swedish open access full-fibre broadband model to UK

Flush with success in its home market, Swedish open access full-fibre broadband specialist VX Fiber is launching in the UK, with plans to shake up service delivery to users by helping local councils monetise their network assets Continue Reading

UK finance regulator collaborates with US counterpart on fintech

The FCA is working with a US finance regulator to support financial technology companies on both sides of the Atlantic Continue Reading

Lauri Love can stay in UK: prosecutors will not appeal extradition ruling

Crown Prosecution Service gives undertaking to Lauri Love that it will not appeal against a court decision not to extradite him to the US – but prosecutors are seeking leave to appeal over part of the court ruling on extradition procedure Continue Reading

Church spires to become mobile coverage hotspots

Following successful trials in East Anglia, DCMS and Defra plan to encourage rural vicars to host broadband connectivity hotspots in their churches Continue Reading

Hong Kong, Singapore to continue datacentre bull run

The two Asian cities, Hong Kong and Singapore, will remain primary destinations for datacentre deployments in the APAC region for the foreseeable future Continue Reading

The great 5G bake-off: where are we and where are we going?

With Mobile World Congress 2018 a week away, early 5G network standards formalised and tests up and running at the Winter Olympics, we assess the state of 5G, and what's needed to kick-start commercial roll-outs Continue Reading

Cash will remain in use in Eurozone for a very long time, says central bank

Cash seems set to survive the onslaught of digital payments, at least in countries that use the euro Continue Reading

EE launches home broadband over 4G LTE

EE has been conducting tests of a powerful 4G antenna that it claims can provide isolated rural homes with broadband speeds equivalent to full-fibre Continue Reading

TalkTalk’s York FTTP broadband roll-out to go nationwide

Following successful delivery of an ultrafast FTTP broadband network in York, TalkTalk is planning to start work on a £1.5bn national roll-out Continue Reading

Orange announces European 5G testing

Mobile operator Orange will run 5G mobile network pilots in France and Romania later this year Continue Reading

Lauri Love plans to use ‘internet as a force for good’

Engineering student Lauri Love says he plans to help businesses fight cyber crime, after the court of appeal ruled that he can be tried in the UK for allegedly hacking US computer systems, rather than face extradition to the US Continue Reading

Appeals court rules Lauri Love will not be extradited over US hacking charges

The lord chief justice, Lord Burnett, says 33-year-old engineering student Lauri Love will not be extradited to the US to face hacking charges, in a landmark legal decision, and the Crown Prosecution Service should bring proceedings against Love in the UK Continue Reading

Researchers discover malicious Chrome extensions

Security researchers have discovered a new botnet delivered via malicious Chrome extensions designed to hijack computers to mine cryptocurrency and record victims’ every move Continue Reading

Appeal Court to give landmark verdict on Lauri Love extradition

The Appeal Court will decide whether Lauri Love, who has serious health issues, should be extradited to the US to face hacking charges, or face trial in the UK. The landmark case is the first test of legal protections introduced by Theresa May to protect vulnerable people Continue Reading

Google Q4 results show businesses are buying into its public cloud

The Google Cloud Platform is earning the search engine giant $1bn per quarter. Expect more cloud investment this year Continue Reading

Europe’s shameful role in spy-tech exports that led to torture and jail

Governments in Europe actively assisted in government oppression in Iran, Bahrain and Russia by providing states with sophisticated surveillance equipment. The European Parliament is pressing for changes in the law to restrict exports of spy-technology to countries with poor human rights records Continue Reading

Full fibre becomes broadband network of choice for Openreach

Openreach CEO Clive Selley has pledged to extend the organisation’s full-fibre broadband network by 50% through a programme called Fibre First Continue Reading

Australia’s internet speeds limiting productivity

Australia’s broadband networks, already among the world’s slowest, could be further strained by the emergence of virtual and augmented reality Continue Reading

Government surveillance regime unlawful, court rules in Tom Watson case

Appeal court ruled in favour of Labour MP Tom Watson in a legal battle with the government over the UK’s surveillance laws, leading to calls to rethink controversial Investigatory Powers Act Continue Reading

Hull and Highlands worst for superfast broadband availability

Government statistics on average broadband speeds by constituency have found that a great number of people living in Kingston upon Hull, and the Scottish Highlands and Islands, are still unable to receive an acceptable level of service Continue Reading

Government sets out further details of Digital Charter

The government’s charter aims to tackle challenges and risks brought by technology in “an effective and responsible way”, thereby boosting the digital economy Continue Reading

Sky to move pay TV services to broadband

The days of the satellite TV dish are numbered as Sky signals its intent to switch to an IP streaming delivery model over broadband connections Continue Reading

Colt Technology Services outage: European customers hit by internet connectivity issues

Voice and data network provider Colt Technology Services suffers outage, blighting users in several European countries Continue Reading

AWS opens third availability zone in Singapore

Cloud service provider is upping the ante in a region that has been lapping up cloud infrastructure services to advance digitisation efforts Continue Reading

Mastercard sets biometric ID deadline for banks

Mastercard has committed to guaranteeing that every one of its customers will have access to biometric authentication services by April 2019 Continue Reading

New controversies as Trump passes US Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act

The amended Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which seeks to legitimise US surveillance on foreigners, has been signed off by president Trump Continue Reading

IT of world’s banks is moving on from crippling regulation

Banks need to invest more in fintech and IT skills as they emerge from years of stagnation Continue Reading

Judge will take time to seek answers from EU court over Max Schrems Facebook privacy fight

The Irish High Court will take time to decide what questions to put before the European Court of Justice in a case with significant implications for EU and US trade and the privacy of EU citizens Continue Reading

European Parliament votes to restrict exports of surveillance equipment

European Parliament votes to tighten export controls to restrict supply of surveillance and encryption technology to states with poor human rights records amid fears British companies may not have to comply after Brexit Continue Reading

Telstra invests in two new submarine cables to bolster Asia-US connectivity

The Hong Kong Americas and Pacific Light Cable Network cables will provide more robust connectivity to support the Asia-Pacific region’s growing internet traffic Continue Reading