Networking and communication

Broadband voucher scheme to end early thanks to high demand

The government has urged small business owners to consider signing up for its ultrafast broadband connection voucher scheme before the available funding runs out Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

5G will unleash digital transformation for UK enterprises

Mobile operator EE is working hand-in-hand with its largest enterprise customers to realise the potential of its future 5G mobile network Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Will the $34bn IBM-Red Hat mega-merger succeed?

In this week’s Computer Weekly, after IBM pays $34bn to buy open source specialist Red Hat in an attempt to boost its cloud capabilities, we analyse whether the deal can be a success. We examine the challenges that the emerging field of quantum computing presents for current encryption techniques. And our latest buyer’s guide looks at storage for the internet of things. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Government considering dedicated internet regulator, says digital minister

An upcoming white paper is likely to set out proposals for an internet regulator, a House of Lords committee has been told Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Researcher urges IoT security legislation

Suppliers of internet connected devices are largely failing to improve the security of their products, exposing users to privacy risks, so there is no choice but to legislate in this area, says a researcher Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Self-driving cars may have to break law, says Law Commission

Self-driving cars may have to break the rules of the road to operate safely, and the Law Commissions of England, Wales and Scotland are embarking on a consultation to seek input on how to manage this Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

AWS cloud network architecture could put users at heightened risk of disruption, study claims

A comparison study of AWS, Google and Microsoft's network architectures reveals stark differences in how they process user traffic, ThousandEyes report shows Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Plymouth’s Derriford Hospital has capacity to spare after HSCN upgrade

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust is unleashing the potential of digital for health after fixing up its internet connectivity with an upgrade to the new Health and Social Care Network Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

CW Benelux: Bikes face scooter challenge in Netherlands

The concept of rental scooters is perfect for the Netherlands, where bicycles are already the most widely used method of transport. Scooter startups see the potential to apply the latest smart technologies to the concept, but regulations could be a barrier. Also in this issue, read how chatbots are taking off with Dutch organisations, with KLM's chatbot a pioneering example, and find out how Dutch bank ING is getting a financial boost from an employee performance management rethink. Continue Reading

Openreach increasing use of drones to help build fibre networks

Openreach plans to make greater use of drones to help it bring broadband to remote rural properties it could not previously touch Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

5G mobile masts bring installation challenges, EE finds

EE has switched on a fixed wireless access network in central London to test elements of its future 5G mobile service, but faced some challenges setting it up Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Investment fund buys into broadband supplier Hyperoptic

Mubadala Investment Company, the VC arm of the government of Abu Dhabi, is to acquire a minority stake in full-fibre broadband supplier Hyperoptic as the firm brings forward its roll-out Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

APAC firms warm up to SD-WAN to solve networking woes

A third of enterprises in the APAC region have already deployed SD-WAN at most of their sites, while 55% are in the process of doing so, a study shows Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Smart Dubai platform is the backbone of the city's transformation

Aisha bin Bishr, director general at Smart Dubai Office, talks about the Smart Data platform and soon-to-be-unveiled UAE Pass, a digital ID and signature which is being touted as one of the foundations a city needs to transform Continue Reading

By

• Edward Banda

Automation and CSR are driving reskilling process for UK plc, says Cisco

UK business leaders are planning to make dramatic changes to their organisations between now and 2020, according to a new report from Cisco Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

GSMA urges fresh action on 5G mobile spectrum

Mobile industry body says time is running out to ready enough radio frequency spectrum in the appropriate bands to account for the demands of 5G mobile networks Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Post Office IT system goes on trial

In this week’s Computer Weekly, 10 years after we revealed concerns over the Post Office’s Horizon accounting system, affected subpostmasters finally get their day in court. We look at how businesses are turning to wearable technology to help employees stay healthy. And we analyse the key players and products in the market for object storage. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Openreach launches Fibre First programme in Belfast and Nottingham

Openreach has named Belfast and Nottingham as the latest cities to benefit from a full-fibre broadband roll-out Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

TalkTalk makes ‘fair broadband’ promises

TalkTalk has launched its own Fairer Broadband Charter as research reveals widespread dissatisfaction with some common industry practices Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Future Decoded 2018: How Seadrill uses IoT 3km undersea

Sensors on deep sea rigs are part of Seadrill's digital transformation strategy, which combines advanced analytics, the internet of things and machine learning Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Wi-Fi 6 to spur industry confidence in Wi-Fi, report says

In networking news, a report shows increased confidence in Wi-Fi; Ciena releases an analytics-as-a-service product; and Avi Networks targets multi-cloud load balancing. Continue Reading

By

• Luke O'Neill and Michaela Goss

Ofcom has another go at liberalising duct and pole access

Telecoms regulator is making a new attempt to establish better access to BT’s duct and pole infrastructure for communication services providers Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

BT makes progress with Global Services restructuring

Telco sets out plan to get its troubled Global Services business unit fighting fit Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Industrial IoT makes your people more important, not less

The recent Industry of Things World conference in Berlin offered insights into the state of the much-hyped Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). At one end, big early adopters such as Airbus, ... Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Betts, Freeform Dynamics

Alexa to manage Aerohive Wi-Fi networks

Access networking supplier Aerohive is to add Alexa skills to its HiveManager network management suite Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Robotic delivery service hits the streets of Milton Keynes

Following extensive testing and a limited commercial roll-out in campus enterprise environments, Estonian robotics firm Starship Technologies is launching a direct-to-consumer robot delivery service in Milton Keynes Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Three introduces 4G+ at 2,700 sites

Mobile operator Three hopes to boost average mobile data speeds by up to 33% through carrier aggregation Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

IoT R&D projects missed out on £10m of government funding

A series of delays and disruption caused chiefly by changes in project ownership meant the government’s IoT UK Research and Innovation Programme failed to use a quarter of its allocated budget between 2015 and 2018 Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Hyperoptic full-fibre network hits public housing milestone

More than 150,000 publicly owned homes have now been connected to Hyperoptic’s ultrafast fibre broadband network Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Ofcom releases BT from 2005 Openreach undertakings

Following the legal split of the two organisations, telecoms regulator Ofcom has formally ‘released’ BT from the 2005 undertakings set up to manage the Openreach infrastructure business Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Inside Schneider Electric’s Batam smart factory

The French energy management and automation firm has nearly halved material wastage by applying smart manufacturing technologies at its Indonesia plant Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Budget 2018: No great leap forward for broadband, but no need to panic

The chancellor set aside £1.6bn for digital technology in the Budget, but broadband services did not draw much attention. Is this a surprise, or a reflection of growing commercial investment in full-fibre, and what should the role of government be? Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Government consults on full-fibre for tenants, new-build homes

Proposed legislation would compel landlords and property developers to offer full-fibre broadband to tenants and customers Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

O2 extends rural 4G network to 339 communities

O2 has extended its rural network roll-out, targeting over 300 small communities all over the UK Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

NGA secures £22m for Bristol-Newport fibre link

Ultrafast wholesale network builder Nextgenaccess has been awarded funding from the National Digital Infrastructure Fund to improve connectivity in South Wales Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

British Airways data breach worse than thought

British Airways has admitted that up to 185,000 more people than first thought may have had personal details compromised in August’s data breach Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Openreach slashes cost of full-fibre to new-build homes

Property developers will receive a 75% discount on the cost of full-fibre installation Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

IoT ecosystem needs to be investigated, say experts

A conference of IoT experts convened by Enisa and Europol has made key recommendations to ensure security vulnerabilities do not overshadow benefits Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Vodafone claims UK 5G first

Mobile network operator Vodafone claims the activation of a trial site in Manchester marks the first time mobile data traffic has been streamed to and from the internet exclusively over 5G technology Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

BT picks fintech leader to succeed Gavin Patterson

BT has named Philip Jansen, current co-chief executive of global payments services group Worldpay, as the successor to outgoing chief executive Gavin Patterson Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Autonomous taxi trials underway in Dubai

Dubai’s transport authority has started road testing the region’s first autonomous taxi, designed in partnership with Dubai Silicon Oasis and DG World Continue Reading

By

• Edward Banda

CityFibre backers pump £2.5bn into full-fibre broadband

Network expansion will add 27 towns and cities to CityFibre’s current roll-out to 10 locations in support of a consumer full-fibre service delivered by Vodafone Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

HP ties up with Singapore university on Industry 4.0

The personal computing and printer giant has opened a research facility at Nanyang Technological University to advance digital manufacturing technologies Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Cab firm to map 250,000 miles of London roads for CAVs

Cab operator Addison Lee has teamed up with CAV software specialist Oxbotica to start preparing the streets of London for self-driving cars Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

How the IoT can form part of a targeted approach to infrastructure asset management

This is a guest blog by Manish Jethwa, CTO at IoT specialist Yotta Our national infrastructure assets are under more strain than ever. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the UK ... Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Will SDN replace MPLS? Not so fast

This is a guest blog post by Tony Judd, MD UKI and Benelux at Verizon With the popularity of new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT)  and ... Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Competition, not consumer demand, is driving full-fibre roll-out

Market competition among telecoms operators, not consumer demand, appears to be driving the trend towards ultrafast full-fibre broadband roll-out in Europe Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Drivers have dangerous misconceptions about self-driving cars

People seem to be confused about the difference between autonomous and assisted driving technology, with worrying implications for road safety, says Thatcham Research Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Internet of things challenges in storage and data

The internet of things (IoT) brings challenges, with a host of new edge devices and data. We look at edge and core processing, compliance and information lifecycle management in IoT Continue Reading

By

• Chris Evans

Middle East gears up for 5G

The race for 5G is well and truly under way, and the UAE and Saudi Arabia are well positioned to be among the first countries in the world to deliver the benefits of this new telecoms protocol Continue Reading

By

• Edward Banda

Home Office ‘seriously’ considered ESN shutdown

New disclosures from those responsible for the troubled Emergency Services Network project have revealed that, contrary to previous denials, the Home Office came close to pulling the plug earlier this year Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

UCaaS supports British Medical Journal’s cloud-first ambitions

With a growing global business and a CIO intent on doing everything in the cloud, the British Medical Journal turned to unified communications-as-a-service provider RingCentral to make its comms infrastructure fit for the cloud era Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Nordic CTO interview: Anders Johanson, Husqvarna

Husqvarna is on a journey to transform itself into a product and services company by using the latest digital technology and Anders Johnson is a driving force behind it Continue Reading

By

• Jane Hamrin

Commuter trains may need over 3Gbps of mobile data capacity by 2025

Ofcom has set out its vision of what will need to be done to meet the government’s goals around data connectivity on the UK’s rail network Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

UK faces 10 cyber attacks a week as hostile states step up hacking, says NCSC

The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre has thwarted more than 1,600 attacks over the past two years – many by hostile nation states Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Tech companies should not be under legal duty to remove terrorist material, says watchdog

The internet should not be a safe place for terrorists, but making it compulsory for technology companies to trawl for radical content risks interfering with the rights of innocent people, says Max Hill QC, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin & Fiona O'Cleirigh

Cost of WannaCry attack to NHS set at £92m

Department for Health and Social Care estimates the immediate cost of the May 2017 WannaCry attack on the NHS was £92m, and says it will have spent about £275m on improvements to its cyber security infrastructure by the end of 2021 Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Big expectations, huge presence: Gitex 2018 opens

Artificial intelligence, blockchain, 5G, robotics, and virtual and augmented reality are all in the spotlight at Gitex Technology Week 2018 in Dubai Continue Reading

By

• Edward Banda

IoT firms sign up to UK security code of practice

Internet of things technology firms have begun signing up to a UK code of practice to strengthen the security of internet-connected devices. The code is expected to form the basis of an international standard Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

No Cloud Over VDI!

Unsurprisingly, whatever the IT genre and whatever the weather, cloud is always on the horizon right now. One of several top meetings I had last week within IP Expo's confines was with Morteza ... Continue Reading

By

• Steve Broadhead, Broadband Testing

AVIn A Well Balanced Time...

Me and Load-Balancers (the artist wot became known as the Application Delivery Controller at some point in its life, even though it always did this anyway) go back a long way; 20 years basically, ... Continue Reading

By

• Steve Broadhead, Broadband Testing

Highways England demonstrates connected cars in Kent

Connected cars are being demonstrated on roads in Kent as part of a project to improve safety and improve traffic flows Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

CW Middle East: Middle East warms to humanoid robots

Countries in the Middle East are warming to humanoid robotics, robotic process automation and artificial intelligence as these technologies become widely accepted globally. Also in this issue, read why Saudi Arabia has called on London’s fintechs to set up in the country with the promise of government support, and find out how the Gulf Warehousing Company has introduced cloud-based technology to replace paper processes used by its HR department. Continue Reading

Huawei Connect 2018: Huawei tackles barriers to effective AI

At its annual customer and technology event, Huawei chairman Eric Xu set out 10 key challenges facing AI, and revealed how the networking supplier’s strategy will help to address these Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Access to full-fibre broadband continues to expand under Vodafone-CityFibre partnership

Customers in three more towns and cities will soon be able to access ultrafast fibre-to-the-premises broadband service Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

When networks collide: how M&A brings infrastructure together

Enterprise IT runs on networking, so fixing up the network should be a priority issue during mergers and acquisitions – but that’s not always the case. Find out how the pros manage it. Continue Reading

Huawei Connect 2018: China on the hunt for AI talent

At Huawei Connect 2018 in Shanghai, Huawei shared insights into how the developing artificial intelligence industry is changing the face of IT talent development in Asia-Pacific Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

EE switches on 5G test network at Canary Wharf

MNO explores high-capacity zone testing for its 5G network roll-out, with the first phase expected to target hotspots such as London’s Canary Wharf Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Telenor retrains 20,000 staff as it prepares for impact of digital tech

Norway-based mobile phone company Telenor, which provides phone services in Scandinavia and Asia, is challenging its workforce to spend 40 hours a year learning digital skills as it prepares for the impact of digital technology Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

How Angolan telecommunications could shape global software development

Here’s a suggestion for you… software application developers should be looking at the technical newswires to gauge where the global interconnection pipes of the web are going to next strengthen up ... Continue Reading

By

• Adrian Bridgwater

Technology shouldn’t leave anyone behind, says Jeremy Wright

DCMS secretary of state highlights investment in 5G and superfast broadband, and says no one should be left behind by technology Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Everyone, everywhere is responsible for IIoT cyber security

Cyber security in the industrial internet of things is not limited to a single company, industry or region – it is an international threat to public safety, and can only be addressed through collaboration that extends beyond borders and competitive interests Continue Reading

By

• Andrew Kling, The Open Group

Openreach extends full-fibre broadband roll-out to Coventry

Openreach is forging ahead with its Fibre First full-fibre broadband programme and has started to roll out ultrafast services in Coventry Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Full-fibre broadband penetration reaches 5%

The number of UK properties able to access a full-fibre broadband connection has hit a small but significant milestone, according to Ofcom Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

UK will unilaterally tax web giants, says Hammond

Chancellor threatens to go it alone on tax reform for digital services businesses if an international agreement cannot be reached Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Two autonomous vehicle projects funded in government contest

The National Infrastructure Commission’s Roads for the Future contest has awarded a £50,000 prize fund to two projects exploring how to make the UK’s roads ready for connected and autonomous vehicles Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Openreach completes largest Tupe transfer in history

More than 30,000 BT employees have transferred across to the quasi-independent Openreach, completing what is thought to be the largest one-off Tupe transfer in history Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Data analytics cuts queues and flight delays at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport

Aeroporti di Roma’s CIO, Emiliano Sorrenti, describes how the city’s main airport is using data analytics technology to reduce delays and queue times, securing it an industry award for customer service Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Citizens Advice makes super-complaint over rip-off phone charges

Citizens Advice is calling for a fair deal for consumers that it claims are being ripped off by out-of-contract charges by communications services providers and the financial services industry Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Brighton’s 5G experiment enters new test phase with focus on virtual reality

The latest phase of the Digital Catapult’s 5G mobile network testbed in Brighton has begun, with digital businesses from across Sussex taking part in trials of augmented, mixed and virtual reality technology Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Network growth brings management challenges

As enterprise networks grow, so do the challenges of managing them effectively, says a report compiled by Oracle’s communications unit Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Why communication is critical for web security management

Conveying the importance of web security to management can be difficult for many security professionals. Kevin Beaver explains how to best communicate with the enterprise. Continue Reading

By

• Kevin Beaver, Principle Logic, LLC

At the new Cisco, culture is as important as innovation

Cisco’s newly appointed SVP of Emear, Wendy Mars, shares her thoughts on the state of network innovation within the industry, and explains why cultural change is just as important an element of a digital strategy Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Rural business bodies seal new broadband agreement

The Country Land and Business Association and the National Farmers’ Union have reached an agreement with Openreach to put new wayleave arrangements in place for broadband network builds Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Why the government should rethink the UK’s surveillance laws

The European Court of Human Rights has made clear that the Snoopers’ Charter is an unlawful violation of people’s rights and freedoms Continue Reading

By

• Megan Goulding

Intelligent automation and the WAN: Is SD-WAN moving mainstream?

Take-up of software-defined networking in corporates is slower than expected. Where have we reached on the journey to software-controlled networks – and SD-WAN in particular – becoming the norm? Continue Reading

By

• Christian Annesley

Software-defined access networks pose promise and pitfalls

By implementing software-defined controls on the access layer, IT can centralize and unify network policies. However, any new technology is still rife with risk. Continue Reading

By

• Teren Bryson

MI5 admits to ‘unlawful’ spying on Privacy International

The UK's intelligence agencies acted unlawfully by intercepting communications data on NGO, Privacy International, the UK's most secret court ruled. Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Motorola turns 90

The company's 90 year history has seen it broadcast messages from the Moon, power FM military transmitters and launch the first commercial mobile phone Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Mapping the future at Ordnance Survey

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we find out how the UK mapping agency, Ordnance Survey, is innovating to put geospatial data at the heart of smart cities. We look at how to manage subscription and licensing costs when moving to the cloud. And we examine how proposals to change the UK visa system could help to tackle IT skills shortages. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Indigo subsea cable lands in Perth

Cable system will utilise new spectrum sharing technology, so each consortium member can take advantage of technology advancements to support growing demand for bandwidth Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Alibaba Cloud and Intel team up on IoT

The Joint Edge Computing Platform lets enterprises train AI models at the edge of a network to support real-time decision-making Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Phased roll-out of ESN to start in early 2019

The government will adopt a phased approach to the roll-out of the new emergency services 4G communications network Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Foreshadow mitigation obscures licensing impact

Performance of virtual machines could be severely affected by the workaround for Intel’s latest processor flaw. To compensate, more processors will be needed Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Rural areas will be among the first to get Vodafone 5G

Parts of Cornwall and Cumbria will be among the first locations to get access to Vodafone’s 5G mobile network when it launches in 2019 Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Alibaba debuts its first service robot

Chinese tech firm is eyeing a slice of the global robotics market, starting with a service robot that delivers items to hotel guests Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

What are the current SD-WAN options for enterprises?

Software-defined wide area networking is well on its way to being a multi-billion dollar market. We assess the current state of the market and look at some of the options for enterprise CIOs and network managers Continue Reading

By

• Rene Millman

Alibaba Cloud making deeper push into smart cities

At its annual conference in Hangzhou, Chinese cloud supplier Alibaba demonstrated the transformative impact of its technologies on society and called for more manufacturers to adopt smart manufacturing processes Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

WPA3 protocol: Should enterprises implement the changes?

The Wi-Fi Alliance released the updated WPA3 protocol, adding security enhancements to the Wi-Fi access process. Learn why enterprises should update with Judith Myerson. Continue Reading

By

• Judith Myerson

Out-of-contract users paying millions for phones they already own

Despite calls for MNOs to change their ways, users are still being overcharged for their devices, says Citizens Advice Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor