Internet infrastructure

Appetite rising for network as a service

Study from edge-to-cloud networking provider reveals digital transformation in the post-pandemic era is drawing IT leaders towards network models that are more agile and adaptable Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

UK altnets add fibre across Greater Manchester, Midlands and Southwest

Two UK independent broadband providers announce full-fibre network offers aimed at allowing businesses to reach potential through supporting both on-premise and hybrid modes of work Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Global broadband divide is closing but speed inequalities widen

Research finds need for greater investment in advanced, full-fibre broadband networks is essential to closing a digital divide among global broadband users Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Shanghai rated world’s number-one smart city for 2022

What is described as a world-leading citizen data platform propels China’s technical heart as the leading connected conurbation Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

MPs say Online Safety Bill fails to tackle full range of harms

A DCMS select committee has warned that the Online Safety Bill should be expanded to cover more types of harmful content, such as child abuse material designed to circumvent content removal Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Advantages of traditional banks are weakening amid digital challenge, says FCA

Weakening of the advantages enjoyed by traditional banks over the years is “driven by digital innovation and changing consumer behaviour”, says regulator Continue Reading

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• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

UK parliamentary committee casts doubt on government’s gigabit connectivity targets

UK parliamentary committee pours scorn on Department of Culture, Media and Sport’s confidence in meeting targets for gigabit connectivity Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Content removal will not stop misinformation, says Royal Society

Censorship of scientific misinformation online could exacerbate feelings of distrust, so government should look at information literacy and funding fact checkers instead, says report Continue Reading

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• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Arizona State University taps Verizon for 5G Innovation Hub

Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband and mobile edge compute services enable researchers to develop and test real-world solutions to enhance immersive education, remote learning, virtual reality and data analytics Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

The race to quantum computing

In this week’s Computer Weekly, researchers are racing to create the first commercially useful quantum computer – we look at one of the European candidates. Cyber security is one of the greatest risks facing the global economy, warns the World Economic Forum. And we examine the role of employee experience in hybrid working. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Jisc selects Neos Networks for gigabit fibre network serving north-west England

Business connectivity provider strikes partnership to connect major universities and research centres in Liverpool and Manchester to gigabit-capable fibre network offering up to 100Gbps connections and 10-fold increases Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

CityFibre extends full-fibre in Aberdeen

Granite City sees rock-solid gigabit connectivity in £19m expansion of full-fibre network to homes and businesses in the Aberdeen area Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

International Space Station gets connected on SpaceDataHighway

SpaceDataHighway deploys space laser communications to increase the operational flexibility of ISS, allowing more astronauts, scientists and researchers to benefit from a direct link with Europe Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Connexin switches on full-fibre broadband network in Hull

So-called ‘disruptive’ communications company specialising in building and operating smart city infrastructure connects first customer to full-fibre network in East Yorkshire Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Full-fibre investment helps tackle digital exclusion in Greater Manchester

Study from cable operator and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority reveals the massive significance that digital investment is making for local people, helping to assist those at risk of digital exclusion, create local jobs and tackle homelessness Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Hispasat expands North America strategic collaboration, bolsters Brazilian holdings

Spanish satellite operator expands agreement with Swedish connectivity services company to offer high-capacity portable broadband solution in North America, and acquires the full share capital of its subsidiary in Brazil Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Satellite broadband boost as Intelsat expands fleet, Inmarsat supports IoT

Satellite providers take connectivity to higher orbit as Intelsat continues investment in global 5G software-defined network while Inmarsat supports IoT monitoring for RWE’s hydroelectric power stations in Wales Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

98 more Openreach exchange areas to go digital in copper network shutdown

Mildenhall and Salisbury test sites will be first to stop selling copper-based services in 2022 in a further acceleration of Openreach’s plan to halt traditional broadband and voice services across the UK by 2025 Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

CW Middle East: What does Saudi Arabia’s autonomous vehicle agenda mean for the world?

If all goes according to plan, within a few years, one million people will live in Saudi Arabia’s ‘city of the future’ – and every one of them will depend on a fleet of self-driving cars. Also in this issue, read about the UAE's bid to become a world-leading location for artificial intelligence innovation. Continue Reading

NCSC sounds alarm over Russia-backed hacks

The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre joins US calls to be wary of Russian state interference in critical national infrastructure IT systems Continue Reading

CityFibre gets to work on bringing full-fibre to Cambridgeshire

Further expansion from network provider will fulfil Fenland District Council’s digital needs, bringing previously unavailable full-fibre connectivity within reach of thousands of homes and businesses Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

A legal minefield called the metaverse

Will the metaverse create a $1tn revenue market? Who knows? How long will it take to reach this lofty potential? Who can tell? Will people invest across this emerging landscape of speculative riches? You bet Continue Reading

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• Martin Schwirn, Computer Weekly

Mavenir, BAI Communications to deliver Sunderland smart city project

Network software firm enters collaboration with global communications infrastructure provider for smart city project Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Qualcomm announces Microsoft collaboration to boost AR in the metaverse

Mobile chipmaker enters into collaboration with Microsoft to design custom augmented reality chips and integrate software platforms Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Fintech players get cosy in Luxembourg

Luxembourg aims to play a larger role in the rapidly growing global fintech market Continue Reading

By

• Pat Brans, Pat Brans Associates/Grenoble Ecole de Management

The developing metaverse: Commercial realities of extended realities

The metaverse is almost certain to become a highly competitive commercial playground, if not battlefield. It will likely not only establish highly profitable markets but also lead to high-profile failures Continue Reading

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• Martin Schwirn, Computer Weekly

Aviva invests further £100m in Truespeed for full-fibre roll-out

Just after appointing a new CEO, regional UK internet service provider gains £100m worth of funding from Aviva Investors to fast-track ultra-high-speed broadband connectivity Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Admins warned that Exchange date fix will take time to roll out

At the start of the New Year, Exchange 2016 and 2019 email servers started queuing email messages due to a date bug Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

UK government reveals next step in plans for gigabit broadband in new-build homes

Latest part of programme to accelerate gigabit broadband across the UK will see it included in new-build homes Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

More than 800,000 UK homes switch broadband for first time in 2021

Survey finds that even though almost one in five UK broadband users have never switched provider, unprecedented numbers are set to migrate for the first time Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Digital Infrastructure gains £100m investment to forge full-fibre roll-out

‘New era’ full-fibre network operator obtains nine-figure investment from independent transatlantic investment firm to deliver wholesale, residential and business connectivity Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Which? tells banks to stop rushing branch closures

Consumer rights protector says banks should pause branch closures until they can ensure people have access to cash and services Continue Reading

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• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Log4Shell: Why aren't we taking the security of the internet seriously?

To be caught out once may be an oversight, and lessons can be learned. But twice over a seven year timespan, shows a laissez faire attitude to the stability of the internet. In 2014, Heartbleed ... Continue Reading

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• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Joint committee publishes report on improving Online Safety Bill

MPs and peers release report on Online Safety Bill following five-month inquiry into the draft legislation and make a number of recommendations on how it can be improved to deal with harmful content and abuse on the internet Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

The rules for a safer internet

In this week’s Computer Weekly, as the government publishes the Online Safety Bill, we look at what the laws mean for internet services. A ransomware victim shares the insider story of the trauma of losing their corporate IT systems. And we ask, what happens when quantum computers get too powerful to verify their output? Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Number of .uk domain suspensions at record low

Statistics from Nominet show how effective law enforcement action against cyber crime in the UK is paying off Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Virgin Media O2 completes full gigabit access over entire footprint

Gigabit speeds now available across UK cableco’s entire network, offering average download speeds of 1.130GMbps supporting hyperfast services Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Network technologies shaping post-Covid global recovery

Latest round-up ranking world’s most ‘network ready’ markets revealing how countries around the world are using information technologies to emerge from the Covid pandemic and become network ready. Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

European finance firms increase open banking spend

Financial services firms are increasing investment in open banking capabilities, with improvements to payment initiation and onboarding capabilities expected Continue Reading

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• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Streaming surges see BT chief call for new net neutrality regulations

Marc Allera demands action on fairness in internet carriage as Amazon-hosted Premier League football drives new peak in traffic, 12% above previous high Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Neos Networks completes latest leg in infrastructure expansion

UK business connectivity provider hits target of 550 unbundled BT exchanges and confirms plans to continue expansion and boost local access networks Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Global satellite broadband addressable market to grow to 330 million premises by 2026

Research warns that even with the proliferation of mobile and fixed broadband access globally, there is still a significant portion of the population that suffers from poor coverage, offering a huge opportunity for satellite comms Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

CityFibre launches first 800Gbps infrastructure backbone ring

UK’s largest independent network provider announces 800Gbps ring, launched in collaboration with Ciena, to serve 23 cities and six ‘super core’ sites as part of a multi-terabit, national backbone project Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

FTTH Council Europe calls on policymakers for measures to reap full-fibre rewards

Industry organisation with a mission to advance ubiquitous full-fibre connectivity across Europe welcomes publication of the European Commission’s latest ‘Digital economy and society index’ and calls for demand-side measures to boost take-up of fibre networks Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Global broadband speed clipping rockets over past 18 months

Research shows broadband speed clipping is rising sharply, with many subscribers hitting upper speed limits Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Openreach hits six million homes with full-fibre reach

BT broadband provision division says full-fibre broadband roll-out programme is on track to reach 25 million premises by December 2026 Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Amazon to stop accepting Visa credit cards in UK due to high fees

Online retail giant Amazon will stop accepting UK Visa credit card payments from January next year Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Vodafone claims solid half-year

Hot on the heels of signing a contract with City Fibre to gain UK fibre leadership, leading European comms operator’s results for the first six months of 2021 shows sustainable growth in both Europe and Africa Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

How to get the most from 5G mobile networking

Forrester analysts present a guide to help technology organisations optimise the use of 5G in the business Continue Reading

By

• Andre Kindness

Vodafone anchors CityFibre nationwide network for UK full-fibre leadership

Strategic partnership expanded to anchor nationwide roll-out of full-fibre gigabit broadband to up to eight million homes, with long-term volume commitments Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Traditional banks could get revenue boost if they copy digital challengers

Traditional banks could see huge sales increases if they adopted the business models of their digital challengers Continue Reading

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• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Vienna’s tech startup ecosystem gathers momentum

After a sustained period of inactivity, Vienna’s startup environment is finally on the rise again Continue Reading

By

• Matthew Staff

Technology spending reaches record levels, fuelling jobs boom

Spending on IT has reached its highest levels for a decade but a shortage of skilled IT professionals could dampen growth Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Digital secretary calls for permanent online safety committee

Digital secretary commits to establishing ongoing oversight of the Online Safety Bill and its implementation, and suggests the grace period on criminal liability for tech company execs should be shortened from two years to a maximum of six months once it’s enacted Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Women grossly underrepresented in global fintech

Women are CEOs at less than 6% of global financial technology firms and even fewer hold top tech jobs Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

BT secures industry-first global partnership with OneWeb

Just weeks after increased investment from French operator Eutelsat, growing satellite firm inks distribution partner agreement with UK telco for low Earth orbit communications services Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

HSBC standardises on DevOps platform

HSBC to standardise and automate software development through CloudBees platform Continue Reading

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• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

MPs and Lords grill Facebook over online safety efforts

Facebook answers British lawmakers’ questions about the social media giant’s efforts to ensure the safety of its users, as part of legislative security of the government's proposed online safety bill Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Facebook rebrands to Meta amid continuing controversies

Facebook has changed its corporate name to Meta to support its work on the next generation of “social technologies”, but concerns around trust and privacy persist Continue Reading

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• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

TechUK slams government gift to big banks that will disadvantage fintechs

The government will put challenger banks at a disadvantage through its reduction in the bank profit surcharge, says TechUK Continue Reading

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• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Lloyds Bank closes more branches as customers migrate to digital channels

Banking group has announced more closures as part of the ongoing reduction of its branch network Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Zopa becomes unicorn with latest funds to go to bank operation

Zopa will invest in its growing digital bank operation after becoming a unicorn in its latest fund-raising round Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Gitex 2021: Arc spans network ecosystem in Oman

Integrated networking services provider invests in Nokia technology to offer added connectivity options for enterprise customers in key Middle East location Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

VMware refines cross-cloud strategy

VMware’s CTO Kit Colbert talks up the evolution of the company’s cross-cloud strategy and how it stands out from other suppliers eyeing the multicloud pie Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

How Samlesbury, Lancashire became the home of the National Cyber Force

The National Cyber Force, a new branch of the military, is gearing up to fight battles in cyber space from the fields of Lancashire. Its presence is expected to bring a high-tech renaissance to the region Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Telstra taps Infinera for 800G subsea cable connection

Telco chooses global supplier of open optical networking systems as part of its drive to increase capacity on all segments of its global network across its new and legacy cables Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

CW Middle East: Middle East hospitals accelerate take-up of healthcare technologies

The Middle East is accelerating its take-up of digital healthcare technologies following lessons learned during the Covid-19 pandemic, with regional government turning to technology to track disease trends and monitor treatment. Also read in this issue how the UAE’s National Program for Coders will offer ‘golden visas’ to 100,000 entrepreneurs, enterprise owners and startups. Continue Reading

Apache web server users urged to patch immediately

New zero-day in Apache HTTP Server is already being actively exploited and must be addressed immediately Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Auto-enrolment begins for Google multi-factor authentication

Google has started to turn on multi-factor authentication on consumer accounts by default, and aims to auto-enrol 150 million users by the end of 2021 Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

ICO cookie consent: How will the plan affect businesses?

A data privacy and compliance expert considers what the ICO’s proposals for an overhaul of cookie consent procedures could mean for businesses Continue Reading

By

• Peter Borner

Facebook unplugged for six hours due to configuration error

A configuration change effectively disconnected Facebook from the internet, with billions affected by loss of services Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Mastercard acquisition of Aiia is a further sign of open banking’s big future

Mastercard’s acquisition of Denmark-based open banking fintech Aiia follows rival’s takeover of Sweden’s Tink Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Global internet traffic, bandwidth ‘return to normal’

Global Internet Geography Research Service analyses internet capacity, traffic and IP transit pricing and finds average traffic growth and peak traffic growth drop as world accommodates post-Covid environment Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Vodafone claims world-first multi-supplier test of new broadband standard

Benu Networks, Casa Systems, Cisco and Nokia join Vodafone in test to pave the way for faster open broadband networks, validating Broadband Forum global standard for interoperability between different suppliers Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

UK consumers would collectively pay over £1bn a year for control of their data

UK consumers are willing to pay a small fee per month to have control of the data they share with Google and Facebook Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

JP Morgan Chase digital investment good for UK IT sector, but what’s in it for the bank?

JP Morgan Chase’s digital bank allows it to start from scratch in the UK, with no legacy infrastructure to overhaul Continue Reading

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• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Digital regulators need discrete but cooperative remits

The UK’s information commissioner has told MPs that digital economy regulators need discrete remits backed up by strong information sharing powers to both provide clear focus as well as allow for greater cooperation between their disparate but interlinked regimes Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Satellite connectivity and video market expected to double over next decade

Research finds the satellite industry is gaining a higher orbit with the non-geostationary market a key engine, and with recovery to pre-Covid revenues expected in 2022 Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Dutch scientist receives top award for work on digital media’s effect on society

Utrecht University media scientist José van Dijck wins the Spinoza Award and funds for her research into the effects of social media on society Continue Reading

By

• Kim Loohuis

Open banking objectives a decade away for over a third of UK finance firms

The completion of complex open banking initiatives could still be over a decade away for many companies in the finance sector Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

The cities planning for ethical use of AI

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we talk to tech leaders in Barcelona and London about a collaboration to ensure ethical use of AI in the era of smart cities. The UK government wants to reform data protection law – we assess the implications. And we examine the latest best practice in hybrid cloud. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

How Estonia’s country-as-a-service scheme has attracted tens of thousands of foreign entrepreneurs

Estonia has created a country-as-a-service offering which is attracting entrepreneurs and businesses from across the world Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

JP Morgan launch of UK digital bank expected next week

JP Morgan will launch its UK digital retain bank next week, and continental Europe will be next if it’s a success Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

BT gifts small businesses £7.5m in street advertising as Street Hub 2.0 units go live

Local businesses in Kensington and Chelsea are given the chance to advertise for free via digital screens in Street Hub 2.0 units while research reveals over 60% of small firms say local advertising will boost awareness of their business Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Volkswagen supports Arm-based software-defined car standard

Car manufacturer's software business supports industry initiative to develop a standard platform and open-source reference implementation Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

The digital road ahead: National Highways puts technology in the driving seat

We speak to National Highways about its multi-year plan to tech-enable the management and operations of our motorways Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Latest Microsoft zero-day being actively exploited

New Microsoft zero-day CVE-2021-40444 affects multiple versions of Windows and is probably being exploited through convincing phishing attacks Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

ICO in bid to end cookie pop-ups

Outgoing information commissioner Elizabeth Denham will call on her equivalents across the G7 group of countries to collaborate on an overhaul of cookie consent pop-ups Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Tech sector spends nearly €100m a year lobbying the EU

Study on technology firms’ lobbying efforts in the European Union shows the sector spends more than any other in trying to influence policies and legislation Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Submarine cable network nears 500 companies over 1.3 million km

New interactive map of sub-sea connectivity industry shows how providers are enhancing the user experience with new cables, landing stations, and upgraded search and select functionalities Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Facebook vows to replenish more water than it consumes across its global operations by 2030

Social networking giant is following in Microsoft’s footprints by setting itself a goal of becoming a water-positive entity by 2030 Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

What will be the bank branch balance in the digital age?

Will the traditional banks be permanently disadvantaged by the need to retain bank branches or could they turn it to their advantage? Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Banks could be blocked from closing branches through FCA legislation

UK financial services regulator the Financial Conduct Authority considers legislation that could block some bank branch closures to ensure citizens have easy access to cash Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Investigatory Powers Tribunal finds UK spy agencies unlawfully collected personal data

Campaign groups Privacy International and Liberty are gearing up to bring further legal action after a court found that UK spy agencies unlawfully collected phone and internet records Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Plans to address legal but harmful content ‘threaten free speech’

House of Lords report criticises the government’s forthcoming Online Safety Bill for imposing duty of care on tech platforms to deal with ‘legal but harmful’ content, which it says threatens freedom of expression online Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Nordic banks join forces to compete with fintechs

Collaboration will be key for traditional Nordic banks to retain business amid intense competition from tech companies Continue Reading

By

• Gerard O'Dwyer

Privacy Shield: One year on and companies are still grappling for answers

Activist lawyer Max Schrems and Eduardo Ustaran, partner at Hogan Lovells, look for common ground in a problem with no easy answers Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

APAC datacentres gear up for the future

Datacentre operators in the Asia-Pacific region are dabbling in advanced power and cooling solutions, along with machine learning and edge computing, to keep pace with growing demand for their services Continue Reading

By

• Edwin Yapp

Why identity is the central problem for the future of the internet

As debate rages over who has the right to control user identities online, is the concept of decentralised identity about to have its day? Continue Reading

By

• Nick Lambert

Bank of England searches for new CIO amid once-in-a-generation project

The Bank of England is recruiting a head of IT during a period of major change in its core IT system Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA