Network hardware
Network hardware products such as routers, switches, hubs, appliances and gateways form the vital infrastructure for successful enterprise IT. We look at the latest trends in technologies in building LANs, WANS and Ethernet networking.
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News
20 Jun 2025
ITS wins dark fibre contract to boost Carmarthenshire connectivity
Latest step in Welsh connectivity programme sees major contract to provide fibre to underpin the expanding needs of digital services in communities that rely on effective, secure and high-capacity infrastructure Continue Reading
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News
19 Jun 2025
Nokia launches autonomous network fabric
Nokia’s platform aims to accelerate full network automation in an open, cloud-native, multi-supplier environment including telco-trained models, integrated security, and AI apps for automation workflows Continue Reading
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News
15 Feb 2021
Sun shines on first private cellular campus smart manufacturing network in Greece
Supporting the digital transformation of Greek enterprises, comms tech provider implements connectivity system based on the deployment of a private cellular campus network at solar thermal products provider Continue Reading
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News
12 Feb 2021
Nokia furthers Open RAN push with CPQD partnership
Collaboration between Nokia and CPQD set to explore Open RAN-compliant RIC platform to develop 5G use cases such as fixed wireless access smart cities and Industry 4.0 Continue Reading
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News
10 Feb 2021
Truespeed and CityFibre accelerate UK fibre roll-out
More fuel to fibre roll-out across the UK, with leading west of England ISP Truespeed propelling Bath into the gigabit era, while third national broadband provider CityFibre heads to Inverness with its gigabit net Continue Reading
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News
10 Feb 2021
Vodafone UK adds Digitalk to MVNO portfolio
UK telco taps global mobile virtual network enabler service provider, offering cloud-based real-time communications platforms, to assist in on-boarding partners to virtual network Continue Reading
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News
09 Feb 2021
BT claims £24bn value as it enables new customer experience for Walgreens Boots
As it announces role in delivering transformation for pharmacy chain, BT reveals data showing that it employs one in every 12 people in UK’s IT and communications sector Continue Reading
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News
09 Feb 2021
CityFibre lights up Yorkshire cities with gigabit connectivity
Former altnet turned UK’s third national digital infrastructure platform provider announces plan to transform two of the White Rose county’s largest conurbations into digitally connected cities Continue Reading
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News
08 Feb 2021
European cities hit key smart technology milestone with €250m investment
London, Lisbon, Milan, Bordeaux, Burgas and Warsaw trigger investment in smart technologies as part of Sharing Cities programme Continue Reading
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News
08 Feb 2021
Deutsche Telekom taps Nokia for optical transport network modernisation
Global operator signs deal to deploy optical transport portfolio to deliver more automated, higher-capacity network to meet growing demands of residential and Industry 4.0 Continue Reading
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News
05 Feb 2021
CE consortium calls on comms regulator to ignore pleas to delay 6GHz certification
As users’ reliance on wireless devices increases, the US Consumer Technology Association warns FCC to ignore lobbying to pause progress of Wi-Fi 6E equipment certification Continue Reading
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News
04 Feb 2021
BT counts cost of Covid-19 in third quarter
Fibre and 5G roll-outs continue apace, but trading update reveals trying times for UK incumbent telco, with falling revenues and profits Continue Reading
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News
04 Feb 2021
Ericsson: Dematerialisation is the path to profitability
Comms tech provider’s research finds so-called dematerialised enterprises expect to take advantage of cloud and mobile technology to become more productive and sustainable by 2030 Continue Reading
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News
03 Feb 2021
Broadband speed boost sees UK home values jump by £3,500
UK government survey quantifies added value of access to superfast broadband, which is now said to have pushed broadband speeds up a gear for 5.5 million homes across the country, creating £2.7bn of economic benefits including 17,600 jobs Continue Reading
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News
03 Feb 2021
EE, BT team to ‘redefine’ home broadband with BT Halo 3+
Comms provider and mobile division announce new hybrid connect device, claiming to combine full-fibre home broadband, Wi-Fi and UK’s fastest mobile network Continue Reading
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News
02 Feb 2021
Poly pivots product line to remote working
Latest Poly P Series offers pro-grade webcams, video bars, speakerphones and an all-in-one video conferencing monitor, with remote management and software services to address new normal Continue Reading
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News
02 Feb 2021
Latency higher priority than speed as IT leaders look to gain edge
Business leaders believe success depends on low latency, namely 10ms or less to ensure the success of their applications, with three-quarters requiring 5ms or less for edge initiatives Continue Reading
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News
01 Feb 2021
Enterprise 5G network slicing to carve out $20bn revenues over next five years
Research highlights dedicated network allocation technique as an enabler for new value creation as communications service providers bolster their capabilities to go beyond connectivity revenues Continue Reading
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News
01 Feb 2021
O2 and NEC claim Open RAN trial success
Leading UK mobile operator teams reveal positive results from open radio access network test with IT and network technologies provider, including virtualised RAN software and hardware from GigaTera Communications, Supermicro among others Continue Reading
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News
01 Feb 2021
Qualcomm ramps up 5G with French research and development centre
Brittany and Paris Region colocated R&D facility set up to boost chip giant as it embarks on next-generation network objectives Continue Reading
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News
01 Feb 2021
5G to the fore as Ericsson beats expectations in financial year
Strong year recorded by comms tech firm from continued high activity levels in North America, Northeast Asia and Europe, with 5G strong Continue Reading
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News
29 Jan 2021
Dell, SK Telecom, VMware bring 5G edge to enterprises
IT giants team with telco to collaborate on an integrated multi-access edge computing system with the aim of providing more secure and reliable access to data at edge locations Continue Reading
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News
29 Jan 2021
Wi-Fi Alliance advances support for Wi-Fi 6E ecosystem
Specification published defining architecture, protocols and functionality for the automated frequency coordination system-to-AFC device interface to maximise the 6 GHz spectrum opportunity and expand Wi-Fi 6E benefits Continue Reading
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News
29 Jan 2021
Telcos accelerate digital transformation but revenues remain store-based
Report reveals operators still rely mainly on physical channels to sell their products and services, but know the value that digital sales can create for them Continue Reading
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News
28 Jan 2021
More than one in six households struggling to afford broadband in UK
With UK lockdown persisting and education online until March at the earliest, research finds broadband customers in receipt of low-income benefits almost twice as likely to struggle to pay their bill than other customers Continue Reading
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News
28 Jan 2021
UK government reviews law on access to land for digital infrastructure
Reacting to reports that agreements have been slow to conclude, holding up the roll-out of better mobile and broadband connectivity, UK government consults on changes to the legal framework for agreements on access to land for digital infrastructure Continue Reading
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News
28 Jan 2021
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 Continue Reading
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News
27 Jan 2021
UK broadband customers count cost of quietly expired contracts
Almost three million UK high-speed broadband customers – a third of those whose deal ended in the past year – say they were not informed when their contract ended, as mandated by the UK comms regulator, costing around £90 per household Continue Reading
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News
26 Jan 2021
Barratt enlists UK network leaders to install full-fibre broadband across all new homes
At a time when the country has never been so dependent on fast and reliable home broadband, leading house builder has teamed with UK broadband leaders to ensure new builds are in the digital fast lane Continue Reading
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News
26 Jan 2021
Telia takes Ericsson 5G to transform industrial inspection as Project Reindeer runs
New partnership will benefit Swedish industry by performing livestream industrial inspections via drones, while more details are released on Ericsson’s EU-funded 6G initiative Continue Reading
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News
26 Jan 2021
Virgin to enter UK 5G fray but regulator delays 5G spectrum auction
UK operator marks ‘milestone’ moment in its history with 5G offer to add to gigabit broadband, but Ofcom puts on hold the process to gain mid-band frequencies Continue Reading
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News
22 Jan 2021
Vodafone unveils ‘instant’ Wi-Fi
Telco targets digital households and small businesses with new mobile router for use cases including support for video calling, streaming and online learning Continue Reading
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News
22 Jan 2021
BT connects Dutch diplomatic missions
New software-defined network services designed to enable secure collaboration and support digital transformation of network supporting Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs Continue Reading
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News
20 Jan 2021
Orange announces submarine cable linking US East Coast to France
Global telco claims significant reinforcement of connectivity and resilience on what it says is the most important submarine route in the world, with two next-generation transatlantic submarine cables Continue Reading
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News
20 Jan 2021
Hybrid working a reality but business leaders not yet giving up on the office
Research finds C-suite executives and business leaders will primarily split their workforces between on-site and remote work, with markedly small numbers looking to adopt exclusive on-site or remote working practices Continue Reading
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News
19 Jan 2021
AE Aerospace claims 5G landmark in transforming manufacturing productivity
Leading UK manufacturing business and partners trial 5G to pioneer productivity improvements and drive recovery in key sector hit hard by Covid Continue Reading
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News
18 Jan 2021
Hyperoptic offers free broadband packages for home schooling
Full-fibre broadband provider helps to address issues facing UK schoolchildren in digital poverty who lack a reliable Internet connection for home learning Continue Reading
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News
18 Jan 2021
Community Fibre to supply free 50Mbps broadband for vulnerable London households
Fibre altnet looks to address growing problem of the digital divide and ensure continuity of education in UK capital Continue Reading
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News
18 Jan 2021
Airband to supply full-fibre broadband across rural Cheshire
One of the UK’s largest UK rural connectivity providers wins £4.5m project to provide ultrafast full-fibre broadband to rural and hard-to-reach areas of Cheshire Continue Reading
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News
15 Jan 2021
Private LTE/5G market set to reach £4.2bn in 2024
Research firm predicts sales of private LTE/5G infrastructure to show 43% CAGR from 2019 to 2024, potentially worth an estimated $5.7bn (£4.2bn) Continue Reading
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News
15 Jan 2021
Google Cloud, Nokia accelerate readiness for cloud-native enterprise 5G solutions
Cloud platform provider and comms tech supplier announce plans to jointly develop cloud-native 5G core solutions for communications service providers and enterprise customers with cloud capabilities to the network edge to accelerate enterprise digital transformation Continue Reading
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News
15 Jan 2021
Hong Kong Airport Authority takes off with upgraded IP/MPLS network
Next-generation network to offer key regional hub migration of legacy applications to support increased passenger capacity, reliability and ease of expansion Continue Reading
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News
14 Jan 2021
Qualcomm announces Nuvia acquisition plan
Mobile chip giant makes strategic acquisition to augment technology roadmap to redefine compute performance for next-generation devices Continue Reading
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News
13 Jan 2021
BT eyes up next-gen services with digital unit
In what it says is an important statement of intent following a 2020 with a number of innovations, incumbent telco announces new division designed to deliver next-gen digital platforms and services Continue Reading
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News
12 Jan 2021
Community Fibre ups ante with fibre-based entertainment service
London-based fibre altnet uses growing gigabit network to offer first entertainment service based on full-fibre broadband Continue Reading
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News
08 Jan 2021
‘Litany’ of UK government failures in gigabit broadband roll-out
Second UK MPs’ report in matter of weeks slams government for dismal failure and lack of sufficient progress in meeting already scaled-back benchmark for gigabit-capable connectivity by 2025 Continue Reading
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News
08 Jan 2021
EXFO forms full-fibre testing initiative with Openreach
BT broadband provision division to deploy permanent full-fibre monitoring technology to assist in programme to deliver broadband across UK homes Continue Reading
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News
07 Jan 2021
Five million UK households paying £804m more than they should for broadband
Significant number of UK householders won’t switch broadband networks for fear of losing their connection or the perceived hassle of switching, but many are left paying too much, research shows Continue Reading
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News
07 Jan 2021
Vodafone announces free data schemes for small business
As research shows the strain on business from Covid, UK communications operator announces programme to offer free high-speed connectivity Continue Reading
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News
07 Jan 2021
Jeremy Darroch steps down as Sky Group chief executive
Exec who transformed former satellite TV provider into Europe’s largest multi-platform communications provider with mobile, telephony and FTTH steps down after 13 years Continue Reading
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News
07 Jan 2021
Iskratel top of the world with Potosí fibre-optic deployment
GPON broadband network deployed to meet the needs of thousands of residents in the highest city in the world Continue Reading
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News
05 Jan 2021
euNetworks rounds on The Loop Manchester
Bandwidth infrastructure company enhances footprint with unique routes, extra capacity and flexibility with dedicated high-speed fibre-optic network in northern powerhouse Continue Reading
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News
05 Jan 2021
Qualcomm expands 5G capabilities of Snapdragon 480 mobile devices
Enhanced mobile platform line claimed to be able to accelerate global 5G commercialisation and deliver ‘series-defying’ features to mass-volume smartphone segment Continue Reading
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News
04 Jan 2021
Openreach takes the strain as broadband usage more than doubles in 2020
In what it says is a year like no other, BT broadband provision division reveals added infrastructure pressures from “new normal” Continue Reading
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News
31 Dec 2020
Top 10 networking stories of 2020
Here are Computer Weekly’s top 10 networking stories of 2020 Continue Reading
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News
24 Dec 2020
Digital infrastructure flourishes in 2020
Study from co-operative trade association for next-generation broadband services notes increased industry investment and roll-out growth, marking a significant year for network infrastructure Continue Reading
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News
22 Dec 2020
UK parliamentary committee slams government broadband targets as unrealistic
Report highlights missed targets and overpromising in gigabit infrastructure roll-out and urges government and national regulator to take bolder, faster action to address the causes of costs and delays Continue Reading
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News
22 Dec 2020
Top 10 remote working stories of 2020
Here are Computer Weekly’s top 10 remote working stories of 2020 Continue Reading
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News
21 Dec 2020
Openreach announces massive job creation plan for gigabit network deployment
New green fleet for engineers as BT broadband provision aims to create 2,500 new roles in its own organisation and about 2,800 with partners to supporting full-fibre network build-out Continue Reading
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News
21 Dec 2020
Gigabit proliferates as UK’s fixed and mobile networks take the strain from Covid
The UK’s fixed and mobile networks take the strain of remote working and increased online entertainment uptake Continue Reading
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News
17 Dec 2020
CityFibre, PQMS expand network construction training partnership
Former altnet brings online two new training centres in Bury and Pulborough alongside existing site in Coventry Continue Reading
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News
17 Dec 2020
SSE strengthens Scotland’s digital infrastructure with next-generation connectivity
High-capacity 100Gbps connectivity services delivered into datacentre intended to future-proof Scotland’s businesses and public sector organisations Continue Reading
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News
17 Dec 2020
EY: Coordinated action vital to meet Gigabit Britain network deployment targets
With gigabit connectivity crucial to supporting the UK’s ‘levelling up’ agenda and plugging the digital divide, an EY study shows half of UK SMEs believe investment in gigabit connectivity is vital for the economic development of their region after Covid-19 Continue Reading
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News
16 Dec 2020
Networking infrastructure issues peg back firms adapting to Covid-19 new normal
Survey shows inadequate infrastructure is preventing businesses from meeting challenges around remote working and omni-channel customer demand and holding them back from embracing more innovative technologies Continue Reading
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News
16 Dec 2020
UK offering relatively poor value for broadband services
Low absolute pricing is among the region’s best, but lower average speeds compared with much of Europe makes the UK one of the continent’s laggards when it comes to broadband value for money Continue Reading
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News
14 Dec 2020
Standards alliance adds to membership as NEC opens new Open RAN lab
Japanese tech giant establishes Open RAN laboratory in India to complement centre of excellence in the UK, where Southampton University spin-off joins O-RAN Alliance Continue Reading
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News
10 Dec 2020
Deloitte: Cloud, intelligent edge and telemedicine set to accelerate in 2021
Global market for intelligent edge computing will expand to $12bn in 2021, with more than 400 million video visits to doctors worldwide across the year Continue Reading
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News
07 Dec 2020
Ericsson, TIM, Qualcomm, claim 5G FWA speed milestone
Although fixed wireless access has not yet gained as much publicity as other use cases for the next-generation infrastructure, its potential in connecting those in remote areas to 5G is vast and a consortium of technology vendors and leading Italian operators have established a new throughput benchmark Continue Reading
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News
07 Dec 2020
UK Space Agency awards £7m for space innovation projects
A range of ‘high risk, high reward’ projects have been awarded a total of £7m from the Space Agency’s National Space Innovation Programme, aiming to make the UK a world leader in space technology Continue Reading
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News
04 Dec 2020
FTTH Council Europe slams misleading advertising for fibre networks
Fibre broadband trade body study shows consumers are confused about marketing and performance of broadband-access technologies, recommending a ‘fibre-ready’ label should be introduced for new buildings and major renovations Continue Reading
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News
03 Dec 2020
Nova casts light on streaming network issues as energy demands soar
So-called industry-first solution brings new revenue opportunities, reduces churn and differentiates offer for video providers as they struggle to cope with energy surge in providing services Continue Reading
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News
03 Dec 2020
Openreach claims UK first as it moves from copper to full-fibre in Salisbury
Salisbury takes a step closer to becoming the UK’s first ‘fully digital’ city with full-fibre deployment Continue Reading
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News
03 Dec 2020
IT teams’ challenges ramp up in maintaining high-quality network video experience
Companies providing streaming services have seen huge growth in demand, which has meant providing an optimal user experience while managing surging user traffic Continue Reading
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News
02 Dec 2020
RingCentral notes unified communications gains with PCCW Global private network
Global infrastructure provider implements private network to enable unified collaboration and contact centre systems firm to augment and scale networks to accommodate rapid growth and spikes in demand Continue Reading
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News
02 Dec 2020
Three continues UK 5G roll-out
UK operator now offers 5G in 154 towns and cities serviced from over 800 sites across the UK and announces partnership with Ericsson that includes roll-out of 5G and improvements to 4G network Continue Reading
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News
30 Nov 2020
UK government ploughs £3m into 5G test facility
Harwell Campus 5G research facility gets financial boost to assist development of advanced communications for terrestrial and satellite-based broadband networks Continue Reading
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News
30 Nov 2020
Faster-than-predicted growth for 5G with 3.5 billion subs forecast by 2026
Despite uncertainties caused by Covid-19, new research from Ericsson reveals that the pace of introducing new 5G functionality has increased in 2020 Continue Reading
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News
30 Nov 2020
Orange unveils plans for French 5G roll-out
Two years after gaining spectrum for 5G services in its home territory, the mobile network operator reveals first French cities for 5G deployment using 3.5GHz frequencies Continue Reading
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News
27 Nov 2020
Linius aims to add magic to video conferencing with Whizzard
New product for the conferencing and enterprise collaboration markets offers the ability to transform hours of video footage into bite-sized pieces of content and increase knowledge sharing Continue Reading
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News
26 Nov 2020
Broadband access drives New Zealand remote working to be permanent fixture
Covid-19 crisis pushes Kiwis to do more online and the changes are sticking, according to research from ANZ telco and media research and consulting firm Continue Reading
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News
26 Nov 2020
UK broadband industry ‘confused’ by government funding claims
National broadband suppliers and trade bodies express surprise and lack of enthusiasm for Spending Review claims of providing positive outcome for gigabit roll-out across the country Continue Reading
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News
24 Nov 2020
UK telecoms industry gives guarded welcome to Telecommunications Bill proposal
New legislation aims to provide a basis to strengthen the security framework for technology used in 5G and full fibre networks, including the electronic equipment and software at phone mast sites and in telephone exchanges Continue Reading
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News
24 Nov 2020
Vodafone teams with IoT.nxt to take enterprise IoT to new levels
UK operator looks to open up new markets for internet of things growth with a new range of services designed to make it easier for UK businesses to adopt technology to track, monitor and manage assets, giving them data, insight and control Continue Reading
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News
24 Nov 2020
Nokia enables global enterprise IoT connectivity for China Mobile
Comms tech giant and leading Chinese operator reach strategic agreement to provide IoT global connectivity services for both China and international customers based on Worldwide IoT Network Grid managed service, expanding operator’s capability Continue Reading
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News
23 Nov 2020
Telcos could face huge fines under new security laws
Government boasts of unprecedented powers to boost the security standards of the UK’s critical national infrastructure Continue Reading
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News
23 Nov 2020
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 Continue Reading
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News
23 Nov 2020
OneWeb emerges from bankruptcy, prepares for 17 December launch
UK government and Bharti Global confirmed as new owners of low-cost satellite broadband provider, which emerges from financial woes to eye up commercial connectivity services to the UK and the Arctic region in 2021 Continue Reading
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News
23 Nov 2020
Zen to offer gigabit broadband over CityFibre networks
Zen Internet becomes former altnet’s third national consumer ISP to offer full-fibre services to consumers with gigabit-speed consumer broadband products Continue Reading
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News
20 Nov 2020
Widespread adoption of WBA OpenRoaming on the cards
Cross-industry survey reveals rapid uptake and widespread acceptance of wireless broadband standard announced in May 2020 Continue Reading
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News
19 Nov 2020
Global networks take the strain in roller-coaster 2020
Research from network tech provider reveals implications for service providers and internet service delivery chain, with significant growth in video streaming, gaming, video conferencing and DDoS Continue Reading
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News
19 Nov 2020
Nokia, Elisa and Qualcomm claim 5G speed record with 8Gbps connectivity in Finland
Combined speeds from two devices hit 8Gbps on a commercial 5G network on mmWave spectrum, showing support for low-latency, high-bandwidth services such as high-speed video downloads and virtual and augmented reality Continue Reading
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News
19 Nov 2020
£165m gigabit broadband boost for Northern Ireland
NIE announces connectivity deployment scheme to deliver gigabit-capable broadband infrastructure to more than 76,000 premises in hard-to-reach places across province Continue Reading
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News
18 Nov 2020
Cato collects $130m investment to extend SASE proposition
New funding round for SASE pioneer Cato, the largest to date for the company, brings total financing to $332m, leading to what the company calls a unicorn valuation demonstrating leadership of SASE market Continue Reading
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News
17 Nov 2020
Huawei unveils solutions for 1+N target 5G networks
Chinese comms giant launches new network technology to enable operators to tap into what it says will be huge potential for delivering 5G at greatly reduced per-bit costs Continue Reading
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E-Zine
17 Nov 2020
How Mastercard is taking digital payments into a new era
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we talk to Mastercard about how the credit card giant is using new technologies to take digital payments into a new era. After months of unprecedented uncertainty, we ask CIOs how they are planning for the next 12 months. And we examine how the growth in remote working will affect IT salaries. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
16 Nov 2020
5.5G on the way as Huawei predicts golden decade for advanced comms
Huawei chiefs predict bright times ahead for 5G market with evolved standard imminent offering improved real-time interaction experiences for individual users and new scenarios Continue Reading
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News
16 Nov 2020
NHS completes transition to HSCN
All 950 NHS, social care, private sector and local authority organisations have migrated from the legacy N3 network to the Health and Social Care Network Continue Reading
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News
13 Nov 2020
BT taps VMware to launch global SD-WAN services
Incumbent UK telco aims to ensure global customers can benefit from flexibility and choice as they optimise networks for cloud services Continue Reading
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News
13 Nov 2020
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 Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Nov 2020
SD-WAN keeps Darling Ingredients on the table through Covid-19 pandemic
For some businesses, the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting need to support mass remote working will have accelerated something they began working on some time ago. Darling Ingredients is one such firm, whose SD-WAN roll-out puts it in good stead for the future Continue Reading
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News
13 Nov 2020
NTT DATA and Continual collaborate to deliver in-vehicle mobility experiences
Consulting and IT services and cloud-based analytics firms announce Tier 1 mobile operator is already implementing combined in-vehicle system Continue Reading
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News
11 Nov 2020
Vilicom, BT, UK academia gain funding to spearhead 5G and AI research
Strategic network consultancy teams with incumbent UK telco and universities in all-new scientific research project based on advanced communications Continue Reading