Networking and communication

Global enterprise WLAN market dips in first quarter of 2020

Consumer market buoyed but Covid-19 lockdowns blow headwind into enterprise sector for worldwide wireless local area network market for the first quarter of 2020 Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Why GovTech is building its own robotics stack

Singapore’s Government Technology Agency has developed a robotics technology stack that will power robots using capabilities from commercial suppliers and the open source community Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, Informa TechTarget

Elisa enjoys 5G base station energy, emissions reductions from Nokia liquid cooling

Finnish telecoms operator reduces potential expenses of its base stations by up to 30% and emissions by approximately 80% through liquid cooling Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Small businesses failing on remote worker protection

Only one-third of people working for small businesses have received any guidance from their employers on how to secure their remote working set-up Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Data privacy groups pile in on UK contact-tracing app

UK-based digital privacy and free speech campaigning organisation files complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office about contact-tracing app Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

The Security Interviews: How the BSI protects the IoT from itself

David Mudd of the BSI reveals how a pragmatic and realistic approach to security vulnerabilities underpins its internet of things kitemark, helping give users the confidence to buy smart devices safely Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Outlook for 5G remains positive despite Covid-19

While the current health crisis and economic uncertainty will have a short-term impact on adoption of the next-gen network, analyst insists future for 5G remains bright with more than a billion global 5G connections by 2022 Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

UK employees complain of lacking tools to work at home effectively

Even though employees expect to continue working remotely for the foreseeable future, a significant proportion of teleworkers lack access to the required technological equipment Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Covid-19 drives Zoom boom in first quarter of 2020

Now ubiquitous conference software firm Zoom cashes in as coronavirus spurs higher demand for distributed, face-to-face interactions and collaboration Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Malaysian minister backtracks on spectrum allocation decision

Amid reports of a surreptitious decision to allocate spectrum to five Malaysian operators, the communications minister rescinds his own order, calling for a more transparent review of the allocation process Continue Reading

By

• Edwin Yapp

US senator implores UK legislators to ban Huawei from telecoms networks

US senator tells committee of MPs that deployment of Huawei in UK 5G phone networks would have been the equivalent of allowing Russia to build submarines during the Cold War Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

How Teams and Office 365 connect NHS staff during the lockdown

NHS’s AGEM Commissioning Support Unit has migrated from on-premise SharePoint to Office 365 and is now using Teams Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

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

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

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Telefónica Deutschland, Bell Canada select Ericsson as 5G network partner

Ericsson scores wins for next-generation infrastructure technology on both sides of Atlantic for both core and radio segments Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Revved-up electric vehicle market to drive associated connected services to 270% growth

Projected end of sales of petrol-engined cars set to propel higher adoption of electric vehicles and generate boom in connected vehicle tech to $378m by 2024. Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Vodafone gives six months’ free business broadband to UK SMEs

UK telco introduces scheme to help UK small businesses attempting to cope with new phase in Covid-19 lockdown Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Enterprises planning future with 5G and Wi-Fi 6

Deloitte study shows advanced wireless technologies increasingly seen as a ‘force multiplier’ for emerging technologies including AI, IoT, cloud and edge computing Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Covid-19: Global smartphone sales take a tumble in Q1 2020

Leading analyst Gartner attributes 20% year-on-year decline in device sales to effect of coronavirus pandemic, with leading brands showing sharp falls Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

European network traffic volumes stabilising

The updated summary report from body of European regulators for electronic communications on how network operators can cope with increased demand for network capacity finds that, by mid-May 2020, all is well. Continue Reading

What will be the IT security priorities of the post-coronavirus world?

In this week’s Computer Weekly, with the working world after the pandemic set to be very different, we assess the IT security priorities for the ‘new normal’. Facial recognition firms are racing to identify people wearing face masks. And how did Europe’s telecoms networks cope with the switch to remote working? Read the issue now. Continue Reading

How to fortify IoT access control to improve cybersecurity

Security technology is still playing catch-up with the new risks and attack vectors associated with IoT. Learn how to improve IoT access control and identity management here. Continue Reading

By

• Michael Cobb

A glossary of home network basics for the networking novice

A remote employee's home network requires basics such as routers, modems and VPN services. For the networking novice, this glossary explains and defines these terms and more. Continue Reading

By

• Michaela Goss, Senior Site Editor

SmarTone deploys Ericsson Spectrum Sharing to open the gates to 5G-based smart city

Hong Kong operator deploys 5G broadly across territory using dynamic spectrum-sharing technology Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

GSMA, O-RAN team to open up 5G networks

Collaboration aims to accelerate an ‘industry-wide consensus’ on the adoption of open, interoperable interfaces and radio access network virtualisation Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Wireless Broadband Alliance calls for single global Wi-Fi network

Global wireless ecosystem consortium unveils WBA OpenRoaming to offer automatic and secure connection of billions of devices to millions of Wi-Fi networks Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Qualcomm aims to tap into Wi-Fi 6E with ‘world’s most advanced’ mobile wireless portfolio

Hot on the heels of FCC action described as milestone and watershed moment for innovation that will supercharge connectivity, wireless processor giant aims to cash in on new wireless standard Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Government launches IoT security funding round

A £400,000 funding pot is on offer for innovators to design schemes that boost internet-of-things security Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Cisco eyes up ThousandEyes purchase

Networking giant says acquisition of internet and cloud intelligence platform provider will enhance its network performance and monitoring capabilities across the enterprise and into the cloud Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

O2 completes Innovate UK cyber security project blueprint for self-driving cars

Leading UK telco O2 finalises projects to protect data integrity of connected cars as part of major UK project into autonomous vehicles on UK roads Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Mobile industry makes ‘rapid’ progress towards 5G despite Covid-19

BPI Network Survey suggests operators are rethinking security in the light of 5G network traffic, and shows “dramatic” increase in connected devices and new mission-critical use cases Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

The software innovation impact of coronavirus

Software developers can work remotely, but if workers are expected to work remotely in the long term, can organisations maintain a software innovation cycle? Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Constructing the future for engineering – finding the right model where one size does not fit all

Design and engineering has rapidly evolved to be all about interconnected devices. We see how one of the leading manufacturing software suppliers is meeting the challenge Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

European General Court annuls ban on proposed Three UK/O2 merger

Court reverses European Commission judgment blocking 2016 purchase of leading UK mobile providers Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Covid-19 calculated to cause 18% drop in net new IoT devices in 2020

Fleet management, heavy transport vehicles, equipment, fixed assets and digital signage are among the internet of things applications hit hardest by the pandemic Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

IoT buyers eye private network deployments for added security

Fully private, segregated networks for IoT deployments are becoming increasingly attractive to many organisations, according to a report Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

UK government unveils NHS Test and Trace service to combat Covid-19

UK government unveils framework to stop the spread of coronavirus, but contact-tracing launch date not revealed Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Revealed: Surveillance camera network that covered Dominic Cummings’ lockdown travel

A network of automatic number plate recognition and local authority traffic cameras could help police track Downing Street chief of staff Dominic Cummings’ journeys to Durham and Barnard Castle during the Covid-19 lockdown Continue Reading

By

• Duncan Campbell , 2QQ Ltd, Sussex University

Coronavirus: CIOs should consider a new desktop IT strategy

Although the Covid-19 lockdown is easing, office life will not return to normal any time soon, and few will be buying new PCs Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Three-quarters of people expect to work remotely more often after the lockdown

Current changes in working patterns through the Covid-19 outbreak set to see marked shift in the future, and have major impact on digital infrastructures Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Covid-19: Managing spikes in website traffic now IT leaders’ biggest challenge

AppDynamics research reveals that 95% of companies plot new tech course after Covid-19 outbreak as technologists see opportunity to show their value to the business Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

EE network sees fivefold leap in Zoom users, 45% increase in voice calls, apps since lockdown

Research from mobile operator highlights changing habits of UK citizens during lockdown, with video conferencing seeing massive leap Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Huawei hits out at fresh UK network probe

UK cyber security agency confirms it will conduct a new investigation into the security-worthiness of Huawei’s 5G technology Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Ericsson enables commercial 5G network for Telia in Stockholm

Swedish operator lays the foundations for the next phase of digital transformation with 5G network designed to open up new user experiences and accelerated innovation in areas such as entertainment, healthcare, manufacturing and transport Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Nokia joins the Open RAN Policy Coalition

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

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Lack of clarity around 5G fuels misconceptions about next-generation networks

Revolutionary potential of next-generation 5G network is huge, but research suggests key messages are not hitting home with businesses or consumers Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Thailand gears up for 5G

Thai government forms 26-member committee to develop a roadmap for 5G adoption and address roadblocks related to the recall of unused spectrum from state agencies Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, Informa TechTarget

Small firms seize digital lifeline to get back to business

Research shows Covid-19 crisis has kick-started a small business digital revolution to power recovery, with over a quarter of firms responding to running their businesses remotely with videoconferencing Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Rancho Water turns tap on Extreme connectivity for critical water delivery

US public utility uses secure and resilient wired and wireless network systems to power 45,000 service connections across 100,000 acres Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Global consortium launches ‘transformative’ subsea cable for African connectivity

2Africa, one of the world’s largest subsea projects, will connect 23 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Europe Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Hancock to Harman: No contact-tracing privacy law

Health secretary claims existing data protection law is good enough to guarantee the security of contact-tracing data Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

UK workers struggle to unplug from ‘new normal’ at home

As the country enters month three of enforced working from home, research reveals that as personal devices and app overload blurs home-work life, concerns arise over productivity and the mental state of the workforce Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

CW Nordics: Startups face tough decisions as coronavirus hits

Tech startups based in the Nordic region face difficult decisions as the Covid-19 pandemic leads to falling sales and investment. Also read why Swedbank is rebuilding its anti-money laundering systems, and how Nordic fintechs are developing apps to prevent more adults getting into financial difficulty. Continue Reading

Openreach taps Nokia to extend full-fibre network capacity

Deal covers essential equipment to extend Gigabit fibre access network across UK Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Coronavirus: How MyIX is keeping Malaysians connected

Malaysia’s MyIX internet exchange has been classed as critical national infrastructure, with member telcos adding more capacity to meet the surge in demand for internet services Continue Reading

By

• Avanti Kumar

UK contact-tracing app set to miss official launch date as Google, Apple release API

Government ministers aim to shore up contact-tracing strategy after junior minister concedes much-publicised app set miss-stated start date and Silicon Valley giants officially launch API for apps that follow different route than NHS Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Coronavirus: Dutch work on XR technology shows promise in pandemic scenario

Netherlands leads the way in the development of extended reality technology, which could prove its value in a crisis such as Covid-19 Continue Reading

Nokia, KDDI trial fully virtualised 5G cloud RAN

Finnish comms tech supplier Nokia adds to portfolio of customers trailing its cloud RAN solutions in deal with leading Japanese operator KDDI, including Nokia AirScale Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Microsoft Build 2020: Nadella praises developers for their work during pandemic

IT has played a key role in supporting people and businesses during the coronavirus lockdown Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

NCSC discloses multiple vulnerabilities in contact-tracing app

National Cyber Security Centre has received mountains of feedback on the security of the government’s Covid-19 contact-tracing app, and has now taken the step of making multiple disclosures Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Nearly two-thirds of US small businesses to continue with remote working post-pandemic

Survey reveals small businesses are having a big rethink on remote working as a fundamental business practice when the coronavirus pandemic has passed Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Coronavirus: How CIOs can prepare for business recovery

Economic recovery will require business to work differently. CIOs may be asked to automate more and support high levels of remote working Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Ericsson extends 5G reach with China Telecom, China Unicom

Leading Chinese operators tap Swedish comms tech giant for 5G core portfolio systems, including cloud packet, NFVI, dynamic orchestration and spectrum sharing Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Doubts mount over effectiveness of UK contact-tracing app

Studies from BCS and Anomali reveal that a significant proportion of the UK population is not prepared to download the Covid-19 contact-tracing app Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Multiple network outages costing enterprise businesses millions of pounds a year

More than half of IT decision-makers and network managers globally say they have had four or more network outages lasting more than 30 minutes, costing between £250,000 and £5m in downtime Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

European network traffic volumes stabilising

The updated summary report from body of European regulators for electronic communications on how network operators can cope with increased demand for network capacity finds that, by mid-May 2020, all is well Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Huawei: US using technological strengths to ‘crush’ companies outside its own borders

Chinese tech giant hits back at White House decision to extend technology ban and says it will ultimately be self-harming Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

How to build a network monitoring business case

As network teams construct a business case for a new network monitoring tool, they should include a cost comparison of alternative tools and a strong defense for the selected tool. Continue Reading

By

• Andrew Froehlich, West Gate Networks

Unified communications: The key to prospering in the new working reality of Covid-19

Covid-19 lockdowns are causing a collective rethink in the way companies operate, with unified communications transformed from a nice-to-have to a business essential as remote working becomes the new normal. Continue Reading

2B or not 2C? That is the question for 5G

A flurry of 5G network launches in all major markets in Asia, North America and Europe, focused on consumer applications and services. This looks set to change in 2020 as the operators get down to business Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Worldwide comms services industry projected to take limited hit from Covid-19

Coronavirus pandemic has changed some trends in the global telecom services market, but operators have adapted quickly and temporarily pushed aside some earlier priorities, says IDC Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

BT reported to be in talks to sell off Openreach to fund full-fibre roll-out

Report suggests Openreach sale could raise £20bn as BT announces £12bn build programme to extend FTTP network Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

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

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

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Rolls-Royce uses digital twins in Power Systems Customer 4.0 strategy

The Power Systems unit has begun using technology from Iotics to collect data points for engines in the field and build digital simulation models Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

CW APAC: Trend Watch – business response to coronavirus

With countries the world over reeling from the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak, which has meant sweeping changes both economically and socially, Computer Weekly looks at how firms in the Asia-Pacific region have adapted to what has so quickly become the new normal. Continue Reading

US maintains ban on Chinese tech firms as Huawei, ZTE make 5G leaps

White House extends executive order that effectively bans US companies from using comms equipment made by firms posing a national security risk, while Huawei and ZTE reveal new 5G advances Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Vodafone aids Covid-19 fight with added capacity for NHS Scotland, and introduces IoT thermal camera

Comms tech to the fore in assisting key workers at temporary coronavirus facility in Glasgow, while heat detection camera combining thermal imaging and IoT capability will help facilitate people’s return to work Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

UK’s contact-tracing app targeted by scammers

Even though it is only operational on the Isle of Wight as a beta test, the UK government’s coronavirus contact-tracing app has already attracted the attention of cyber criminals Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Having it all: Customer contact trends for the 2020s

This is a guest post by Nicola Millard, principal innovation partner, BT The future isn’t at all what we expected. Ten years ago, we might easily have imagined the contact centre of 2020 as an ... Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, Informa TechTarget

SK Telecom brings quantum security to the masses

The South Korean telco is readying the world’s first 5G smartphone equipped with a quantum random number generator chipset Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, Informa TechTarget

Telcos’ enterprise ambitions at risk from private network operators, private spectrum

Research finds a rising number of spectrum initiatives underpinning strong momentum for private cellular networks within enterprises Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Comms tech firms eye partnership opportunities with provider community

In latest example of growing trend, Virgin Media Business signs strategic partnership with integrated cloud communications platform to extend voice and unified communications portfolio Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

European comms bodies set up standards group, call for vigilance on contact-tracing apps

New ETSI group will develop standardisation framework for secure smartphone-based proximity tracing systems, helping to break Covid-19 transmission chains Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Coronavirus: APAC organisations find scalability with cloud

Australia’s NSW Health and Indonesia’s HaloDoc are among a growing crop of Asia-Pacific organisations that are relying on cloud scalability to extend digital services to more users and customers Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, Informa TechTarget

Draft Covid-19 contact tracing legislation proposes formal oversight

Human Rights Committee chair Harriet Harman has outlined a proposed bill to guarantee the security and privacy of data generated by the UK’s Covid-19 contact tracing app Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

MPs take part in first live test of remote voting during Covid-19 debate

MPs will use phones and computers to vote from their homes in a House of Commons debate today in the biggest change in parliamentary procedure for 150 years Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Vodafone shrugs Virgin move as it posts steady financial year

UK operator claims to have defied the odds and bucked the market in last financial year but warns of impact of Covid-19 on business Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Details released of second UK contact-tracing app development

Contractual documents show Zuhlke Engineering receiving an official start date of 6 May to supply a managed delivery team to support and run proximity mobile application and services for the UK Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Ericsson bullish on 5G despite Covid-19

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

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Contact-tracing app hits teething troubles as minister confirms changes could be made

UK contact-tracing saga continues as UK government releases details of impact assessment on the app and admits that adaptations and even total change in form are not off the table Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Coronavirus: SMEs in the UAE forced to digitally transform

The UAE, like the rest of the world, continues to be heavily impacted by the fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic, and technology is helping to lead the fight Continue Reading

By

• Alicia Buller

Who will fund Full-fibre roll out after Covid?

The time has come for Ofcom to regulate on price, quality of service (including the resilience required of a critical infrastructure utility) and behaviour and stop trying to predict costs and ... Continue Reading

By

• Philip Virgo, Winsafe Ltd

UK said to be on verge of major technology shift for Covid-19 contact-tracing app

Technology community awash with reports of potential sea change in much-publicised and much-criticised app away from controversial centralised database Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Zoom buys secure messaging service Keybase

Unified comms platform Zoom says the acquisition of Keybase will finally let it bring end-to-end encryption to the table Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

BT claims positives amid challenging fiscal year

BT reports tough 2019/20, leading to major restructuring plan to go forward to meet major fibre-to-the-premises targets Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Contact-tracing app fails to protect privacy and human rights

Reassurances over the security and human rights implications of NHSX’s approach to developing its Covid-19 contact-tracing app are insufficient, says the cross-bench Human Rights Committee Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

FBI search warrants reveal Trump aide’s messages to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange

FBI search warrants reveal Trump campaigner Roger Stone sent private messages to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange after the site published thousands of documents that damaged Hillary Clinton’s election campaign Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Next round of Zoom updates targets consumer security

Casual consumer users of Zoom will get additional protections in an update to be released over the long weekend Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

UK comms market set for shake-up as O2 and Virgin Media confirm merger

Coming-together of leading fixed-mobile provider and cable network provider will create genuine competition to BT/EE Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Brits expected to call time on office life after lockdown

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

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Industry 4.0 transformation reaches communications inflection point

Survey finds huge potential for investment in advance 4G and 5G technology among industrial organisations Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly