Copyright TechTarget - All rights reserved ComputerWeekly’s best articles of the day https://cyber.law.harvard.edu/rss/rss.html Techtarget Feed Generator en Tue, 12 May 2026 00:10:18 GMT https://www.computerweekly.com editor@computerweekly.com <p>As the much-vaunted Cyber Security and Resilience Bill looks set to continue its progress through parliament following <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2324yp7ygyo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the King’s Speech on Wednesday 13 May</a>, the UK government has urged businesses to sign up to its Cyber Resilience Pledge</p> <p><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366641790/UK-to-build-national-cyber-shield-to-protect-against-AI-cyber-threats" target="_blank" rel="noopener">First trailed last month</a> by security minister Dan Jarvis at the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC’s) annual CyberUK conference, the pledge will launch later this year and sets out three concrete actions that organisations should be taking: making cyber security a board-level responsibility; signing up to the NCSC’s Early Warning Service; and requiring Cyber Essentials certification across their supply chains.</p> <p>“Cyber security is now fundamental to economic growth, job creation and the resilience of the services people rely on every day,” said cyber security minister Baroness Lloyd.</p> <p>“The UK has a&nbsp;world‑class&nbsp;cyber sector that is creating skilled jobs and protecting our economy - and government is doing more by investing in its own defences,&nbsp;legislating&nbsp;to require more of essential services and setting clear national standards,” she said.</p> <p>“As threats evolve, businesses of all sizes need to step up and take practical action now. The Cyber Resilience Pledge is a clear call for companies to strengthen their defences, protect their customers and play their part in keeping the UK secure and competitive,” added Lloyd.</p> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="Cyber growth"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>Cyber growth</h2> <p>The pledge forms part of a wider series of actions to shore up Britain’s cyber defences in light of fast-evolving, artificial intelligence (AI) enabled threats, and boost the nation’s cyber sector.</p> <p>According to newly-released figures, the cyber security industry contributed £14.7bn to the economy in 2025, up 11%, with the number of British security firms growing by 20% to 2,063, and the number of people employed in the sector up by 2,300.</p> <p>The government urged business leaders to harness the expertise and innovation of this new wave of startups to drive adoption of more secure technology – such as the use of memory safe programming languages such as Java or Rust, which can help protect against illicit memory access by bad actors. Westminster highlighted research undertaken by the AI Security Institute (AISI) and warned that traditional cyber protections alone are no longer enough.</p> <p>It also highlighted the growing number of AI-centric security products and services, the availability of which grew by 68% in 2025, reinforcing the UK’s status as an innovation leader, and an early-responder to new security threats, and added that the AISI’s advanced capabilities demonstrated that the country is not standing still in response to the problem.</p> <p>The government’s latest announcement on the topic comes as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warns that AI-powered cyber attacks may <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366642863/AI-cyber-attack-threatens-global-financial-crisis-warns-International-Monetary-Fund" target="_blank" rel="noopener">precipitate a global financial crisis</a> if left unchecked.</p> <p>The organisation said that the debut of frontier models such as Mythos highlighted significant governance challenges and warned that inconsistent oversight from country to country could weaken the interconnected financial system – a risk it deemed particularly acute for emerging and developing economies.</p> <div class="pro-features-wrapper"></div> <p>The IMF called for more international coordination, information-sharing, and expanded capacity if global financial stability is to be preserved.</p> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Read more about UK cyber policy</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li>UK government says half of all small businesses have been cyber breached in the recent past as <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366639041/Government-wages-cyber-campaign-as-half-the-UKs-SMEs-are-breached" target="_blank" rel="noopener">it urges them to ‘lock the door’.</a></li> <li>The UK government unveils a £120m Cyber Action Plan to help reinforce and promote IT security resilience <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366636896/UK-government-to-spend-210m-on-public-sector-cyber-resilience" target="_blank" rel="noopener">across the country's public services.</a></li> <li>The government’s annual cyber security report reveals UK businesses are still struggling with <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366642507/Almost-half-of-UK-businesses-hit-by-cyber-attacks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the impact of attacks and breaches.</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> Westminster renews calls for business leaders to sign up to its yet-to-be-launched Cyber Resilience Pledge and highlights growth, and challenges, for the UK's cyber economy. https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/German/article/mobile-network-security-adobe.jpg https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366642938/UK-government-renews-calls-to-sign-Cyber-Resilience-Pledge Mon, 11 May 2026 12:34:00 GMT <p>Utility operator <a href="https://www.south-staffordshire.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">South Staffordshire Plc</a> and its subsidiary <a href="https://www.south-staffs-water.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">South Staffordshire Water Plc</a> have been fined a reduced rate of £964,900 by the <a href="https://ico.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Information Commissioner’s Office</a> (ICO), following improvements made after a Cl0p ransomware attack that led to the personal data of over 600,000 people being leaked onto the dark web.</p> <p>The cyber attack itself <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252523856/South-Staffs-Water-is-victim-of-botched-Clop-attack" target="_blank" rel="noopener">came to light in August 2022</a>, and was at first the source of some confusion when the Cl0p gang misidentified its victim and claimed it was attacking and extorting Thames Water. The cyber criminals even published a lengthy rant against Thames Water and accused it of ignoring them, and not caring about its customers. The hapless cyber crooks’ erroneous claims were widely repeated across the UK media at the time.</p> <p>The exposed data included personal details of South Staffordshire customers, such as full names, birthdates and gender information, account information including credentials for online services, financial data including bank account numbers and sort codes, and contact details including email and postal addresses, and phone numbers.</p> <p>A small percentage of customers listed on the <a href="https://www.thepsr.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Priority Service Register</a> had information exposed from which medical information may have been inferred, and a small number of employees were also affected by a leak of human resources data including National Insurance numbers.</p> <p>The ICO said the incident exposed “significant failures” in its approaches to data security, and left both its customers and employees vulnerable for years.</p> <p>“Customers do not have the choice over which water company serves them – they are required to share their personal information and place their trust in that provider,” said Ian Hulme, ICO interim executive director for regulatory supervision.</p> <p>“It is therefore essential that water companies honour that trust by taking their data protection responsibilities seriously.”&nbsp;</p> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="Lying low"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>Lying low</h2> <p>Although the cyber attack itself took place in 2022, the incident in fact dates back to 2020, when an individual at South Staffordshire fell for a <a href="https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/definition/phishing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">phishing email</a> that enabled the threat actors to install malware on its systems undetected.</p> <p>Though it is unclear whether or not Cl0p first hacked South Staffordshire’s systems itself or obtained the keys through an <a href="https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/tip/What-role-does-an-initial-access-broker-play-in-the-RaaS-model" target="_blank" rel="noopener">initial access broker</a> (IAB), by May of 2022 – 20 months later – the gang started to move laterally through South Staffordshire’s network and was able to compromise domain administrator privileges. However, Cl0p’s presence was not detected until the middle of July, when IT performance issues prompted an internal investigation.</p> <p>On 26 July 2022, South Staffordshire’s IT teams reported a personal data breach to the ICO – then, two days later, discovered a ransom note that Cl0p had tried to distribute to staff members – apparently without success.</p> <p>However, the extent of the data leak did not become apparent for another four months, when South Staffordshire discovered that <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252527832/South-Staffs-Water-customer-data-leaked-after-ransomware-attack" target="_blank" rel="noopener">over 4.1 terabytes of data had been published</a>.</p> <p>In the course of its probe, the ICO said it had found South Staffordshire had not implemented appropriate security controls required of it in UK law. Failings included limited controls that enabled Cl0p to elevate its privileges, inadequate monitoring and logging that failed to detect its activity, the use of obsolete software – including Windows Server 2003, and inadequate vulnerability management, with systems left unpatched, and internal and external security scanning not undertaken.</p> <p>“The steps that South Staffordshire failed to take are established, widely understood and effective controls to protect computer networks,” said Hulme. “The ICO expects all organisations – and particularly those handling large volumes of personal information as part of critical national infrastructure – to have these in place.</p> <p>“Waiting for performance issues or a ransom note to discover a breach is not acceptable,” he added. “Proactive security is a legal requirement, not an optional extra.”</p> </section> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="Cyber improvements"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>Cyber improvements</h2> <p>The ICO said the total fine of just under a million pounds – which is a 40% reduction on the initial amount proposed – was a voluntary settlement that reflected South Staffordshire’s representations and accounted for various improvements made in the wake of the incident, as well as the proactive support the organisation offered to those affected, and its engagement with regulators and the National Cyber Security Settlement.</p> <div class="pro-features-wrapper"></div> <p>It added that South Staffordshire had made an early admission of liability, and in accepting its findings, agreed to pay the penalty without further appeal.</p> <p>“We welcome&nbsp;South Staffordshire’s&nbsp;early admission and&nbsp;cooperation&nbsp;in this case,&nbsp;allowing us to reach a voluntary settlement and save&nbsp;resources,” noted Hulme.</p> <p>South Staffordshire has been contacted for comment but had not responded to our inquiries at the time of publication.</p> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Read more about ransomware</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li>Analysis of a form of ransomware called Vect has uncovered a serious flaw that breaks its core functionality and <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366642421/Vect-ransomware-actually-destructive-wiper-malware" target="_blank" rel="noopener">turns it from a locker to a wiper.</a></li> <li>Ransomware exponents can target identity, bypassing technical defences. Boards should prioritise identity security, align investments, <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/opinion/Identity-the-new-perimeter-of-ransomware-defence" target="_blank" rel="noopener">and embed cyber risk in governance</a>.</li> <li>Ransomware-as-a-service operations are increasingly seeking to forge connections with employees, contractors and trusted partners of their target organisations as an alternative to straight-up hacking, <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366638772/Ransomware-gangs-focus-on-winning-hearts-and-minds" target="_blank" rel="noopener">says NCC</a>.</li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> The ICO has levied a reduced fine on South Staffordshire Water following cyber improvements in the wake of a Cl0p ransomware attack https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/ComputerWeekly/Hero%20Images/water-taps-basins-utilities-slonme-adobe.jpg https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366642957/ICO-fines-Cl0p-victim-South-Staffs-Water-over-data-breach Mon, 11 May 2026 11:45:00 GMT <p>Britain’s corporate cyber chiefs are too polite when they deal with innovative startup cyber security companies. Chief information security officers (CISOs) prefer to be non-committal, rather than tell startup companies what is wrong with their product and why they won’t buy it – and that is not helpful for innovation.</p> <p>That is the view of Alastair Paterson, CEO and co-founder of <a href="https://www.harmonic.security/">Harmonic Security</a>, who is also the driving force behind the <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366640332/Cyber-flywheel-aims-to-kick-start-UK-cyber-security-startups">cyber flywheel</a>, an initiative that aims to grow more successful cyber security startups in the UK.</p> <p>CISOs tell startups that fail to impress, “maybe I will get back to you, I wish you the best of luck. Because they don’t want to say, ‘This doesn’t work for me’,” said Paterson. “What the startup needs to hear is, ‘I’m not going to buy this right now, but if you do A B and C, then I’ll be interested.’”</p> <p>Paterson spoke to Computer Weekly following his second cyber flywheel event, hosted by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in April. Around 150 people from venture capital companies and innovative startups, along with 50 CISOs, talked in person to see how they could work together to develop innovative technology.</p> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="Design partnerships"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>Design partnerships&nbsp;</h2> <p>A closer collaboration between businesses, government and startups can often be found in places such as the US and Israel through design partnerships. It is common for CISOs to work with startups to help them develop solutions to their most pressing cyber security problems. Before Paterson founded <a href="https://www.harmonic.security/">Harmonic</a>, a company which developed technology to secure use of multiple forms of AI in organisations, he spoke to nearly 50 CISOs to find out what they were struggling with.</p> <p>“I didn’t tell them what I was planning to do at Harmonic, but I asked them a set of questions around the problem area of AI [artificial intelligence] adoption in the enterprise to try to understand their pain points,” he said.</p> <p>At the end of the call, Paterson asked if they might be interested in a technology that solved those problems. He was looking for companies that were “jumping out of their seats” at the chance to get on board. “They are the ones that are going to invest the time with you and deploy the technology early,” he added.</p> </section> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="How CISOs can benefit from working with startups"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>How CISOs can benefit from working with startups</h2> <p>The UK, said Paterson, needs more design partnerships where companies and government work with startups to solve the cyber security problems that are not being solved by others, adding: “If there is one thing we can do to make things better, it would be to back our companies and foster those type of relationships in the UK, because that is where innovative solutions get created.”</p> <div class="pro-features-wrapper"></div> <p>He argued that CISOs and their organisations can benefit from working with a startup engineering team that is highly motivated to solve the security problems their organisations are facing. “The CISO personally can benefit because they are right on the bleeding edge and can understand what is possible,” he said. “It’s pretty cool if you have helped shaped early solutions and get known as an early adopter and an innovator.”</p> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Companies that pitched at the Cyber flywheel in April</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li><a href="https://www.ossprey.com/">Ossprey</a> – detects and removes malicious code in open source software.</li> <li><a href="https://overmind.tech/about-us">Overmind</a> – predicts and mitigates risks of infrastructure before it is deployed.</li> <li><a href="https://www.fortyx.co/">Fortyx</a> – AI powered data loss prevention.</li> <li><a href="https://refute.com/">Refute</a> – detects and responds to disinformation campaigns.</li> <li>&nbsp;<a href="https://innerworks.me/">Innerworks</a> – AI powered security layer trained on real adversaries.</li> <li>&nbsp;<a href="https://aisy.ai/our-story">Aisy.AI</a> – prioritises fixing security vulnerabilities based on threat.</li> <li>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cofide.io/">Cofide</a> – secures workloads and AI agents in any cloud environment.</li> </ul> </div> </div> <p>There are notable exceptions but security leaders in the UK tend to keep startup founders at arms-length, making it difficult to develop collaborations. As a result, some UK startups have had to go to the US to find design partners. One reason is that, compared to locations where collaborations are the norm, the UK has a smaller number of cyber security startups for potential design partners to choose from.</p> <p>The UK is around where Israel was 10 years ago, said Paterson, but he notes that it is changing fast as the UK produces more credible cyber security startups.</p> <p>There can also be practical difficulties – for example, if organisations have sensitive data, such as healthcare records, they are probably not going to want to put that in a startup, which would more likely be an&nbsp;environment that has not been fully security tested.</p> <p>But there are ways around that, such as by working with startups to develop proof-of-concept models and follow security standards such as ISO 27001, which provides a framework for organisations to protect sensitive data.</p> </section> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="Top three problems for CISOs"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>Top three problems for CISOs</h2> <p>If cyber startups are going to persuade companies to use their technology, they need to offer benefits that outweigh the disruption, effort and pain their technology takes to roll out. Most big business can run three proof-of-concept projects a year, so if they are to get a look in, startups need to solve one of the CISO’s top three problems.</p> <p>“If it’s a top three priority and there is no solution on the market from the likes of CrowdStrike and Palo Alto, companies are going to want to engage with the startup,” said Paterson.</p> <blockquote> <div class="imagecaption alignLeft"> <img src="https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/rms/computerweekly/Alastair-Paterson-HarmonicSecurity-140px.jpg" alt="Headshot of Alastair Paterson."> </div> <p><strong><span style="color: #34495e;">“The CISO personally can benefit because they are right on the bleeding edge and can understand what is possible”</span></strong></p> <p><em><span style="color: #34495e;">Alastair Paterson, Harmonic Security</span></em></p> </blockquote> <p>Government departments are engaging in the cyber flywheel and saying the right things, he added, but he would like to see more government CISOs forming design partnerships with startups.</p> <p>At the meeting in April, 50 CISOs pledged to hold a 30-minute meeting with at least one of the startup founders present at the event. There were also spin-offs from the event, including a peer group where startups can come together and discuss the issues they are facing, and a WhatsApp group.</p> <p>With Harmonic taking off – it has doubled in size to 80 people in six months and deployed its technology in more than 100 companies – Paterson has less time to run the cyber flywheel project, but he is hopeful that other people will step in.</p> <p>“If you can get CISO’s agreeing, ‘This is our top set of five challenges that we are going to face over the next five years’, and then you put your challenges in in front of a bright, ambitious set of founders that want to go and build solutions, that would be a sort of magic,” he said.</p> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">&nbsp; Read more about the cyber flywheel</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366640332/Cyber-flywheel-aims-to-kick-start-UK-cyber-security-startups">Cyber flywheel aims to kick-start UK cyber security startups</a> – Company founder rallies CISOs, venture capital funders and government leaders to back startups in cyber security</li> <li>Infosecurity Europe launches cyber security startups stream – Infosecurity Europe 2026 will feature a <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366638558/Infosecurity-Europe-launches-cyber-security-startups-stream">cyber security startup exhibition zone</a>&nbsp;and a competition for business support, in conjunction with the UK cyber flywheel organisation.</li> </ul> </div> </div> <ul class="default-list"></ul> </section> Cyber flywheel initiative aims to nudge chief information security officers (CISOs) to join ‘design partnerships’ with startups to solve pressing cyber security problems https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/ComputerWeekly/HeroImages/security-breach-artbase-adobe.jpg https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366642956/Security-chiefs-too-polite-for-startups-says-cyber-flywheel-founder-Alastair-Paterson Mon, 11 May 2026 11:20:00 GMT <p>Building on the completion of similar work in rural parts of the county to London’s eastern border, more than 9,500 more homes and businesses in Essex that have to date been struggling with older, slower broadband services are to be upgraded to fast and reliable internet by Openreach, as the government expands its <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252524353/Project-Gigabit-broadband-plan-covers-70-of-UK-homes-businesses">Project Gigabit</a> roll-out.&nbsp;</p> <p>Introduced in 2021 with the aim of accelerating the UK’s recovery from Covid-19, the&nbsp;£5bn Project Gigabit&nbsp;programme was set up to boost high-growth sectors such as tech and the creative industries, and levelling up the country by spreading wealth and creating jobs.</p> <p>The programme specifically targets places typically regarded as too expensive for commercial providers to reach. It was designed from the outset to help meet the growing demand for reliable connectivity, stimulating local rural economies and reducing regional disparities by enabling remote working and attracting new businesses.</p> <p>At its launch, the previous UK government said the scheme would prioritise areas with slow connections that would otherwise be left behind in commercial broadband companies’ plans and give rural communities access to the fastest internet on the market, helping to grow the economy.</p> <p>One of the first acts by the Labour administration elected in July 2024 was to reconfirm the original objectives to build a broadband infrastructure that would see 85% of the UK have gigabit-capable connectivity by the end of 2025, and full nationwide coverage by 2030.</p> <p>A month later, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366603072/Openreach-to-light-up-312000-rural-UK-premises-in-Project-Gigabit-next-phase">UK government announced it was investing up to £800m to modernise broadband infrastructure in rural areas of England, Scotland and Wales</a>.</p> <p>Explaining why it was ramping up the scheme, the UK government said hundreds of thousands of rural homes and businesses were still struggling to fulfil basic online tasks due to outdated infrastructure, making it necessary to obtain major internet speed upgrades and narrow the existing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366558677/Stark-digital-comms-divide-between-UK-rural-and-urban-areas">digital divide</a>.</p> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Read more about UK broadband</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366640896/CityFibre-launches-85Gb-service-across-wholesale-multi-gig-network">CityFibre launches 8.5Gb service across wholesale multi-gig network</a>: UK’s largest independent full-fibre platform provider makes the next step in its roll-out of its 10Gb-capable network, and claims strong customer growth continuing as it approaches one million users.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366639950/Altnets-force-to-be-reckoned-with-in-UK-broadband">Altnets ‘force to be reckoned with’ in UK broadband</a>: Research shows peers reaching around 19.7 million premises, with more than 3.5 million live connections, outperforming the major providers on customer satisfaction and value.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366640374/UK-government-unveils-gigabit-broadband-upgrade-tracker">UK government unveils gigabit broadband upgrade tracker</a>: As full-fibre broadband deployments maintain steady pace across the nation, UK government introduces tool to allow businesses across England and Wales to discover if they are due a government-backed broadband service.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366640321/Ofcom-sets-out-regulation-to-push-UK-gigabit-broadband-to-final-phase">Ofcom sets out regulation to push UK gigabit broadband to ‘final phase’</a>: UK communications regulator lays down regulation required to drive full-fibre roll-out through its end phase to universal access across the country, aiming to allow businesses to&nbsp;unlock economic&nbsp;gains.</li> </ul> </div> </div> <p>Part of the move saw the UK’s leading broadband provider, Openreach, engaged to deliver access to gigabit-capable broadband to 290,000 homes and businesses across the nation. Initial rural UK communities able to access ultra-fast broadband speeds included those in the countries of Wiltshire, Hertfordshire, Powys and Devon. Over 1.3 million premises across the UK have been upgraded through UK government support to date.</p> <p>Backed by an extra £8.3m in government funding, the Essex development extends broadband roll-out to more homes and businesses in Essex – connecting communities that would have otherwise missed out in earlier commercial plans. This latest investment builds on the £1.2bn originally earmarked for the provider to build in disconnected areas.</p> <p>In addition, the development marks the first Project Gigabit contract to target pockets of poor connectivity in towns and cities, as well as the countryside. “Project Gigabit is bringing better internet to more blackspots across the UK, thanks to government backing,” said UK telecoms minister Liz Lloyd. “This is the very first contract that’s focusing on urban areas, not just the countryside. Pockets of our towns and cities are still left disconnected. To reach our 99% coverage target, it is vital no urban neighbourhood slips through the net.</p> <p>“We’ve already got the ball rolling to connect areas of Essex missing out, and now we’re extending our efforts so that even more residents can access the digital opportunities they deserve.”</p> <p>Openreach is to begin work to connect the premises immediately, covering areas including Brentwood, Chelmsford, Basildon, Clacton and Ardleigh. While much of Essex can be quickly upgraded through existing underground ducting that avoids the need for digging up roads, some areas – including housing estates, business parks and blocks of flats – are currently connected via underground cables without it, making them too costly for providers to reach via commercial roll-out due to the additional engineering works.&nbsp;</p> <p>Openreach partnership director for London and the South East, Kieran Wines, said: “As well as reaching rural communities, it’s vital we keep strengthening connectivity in towns and cities. This Project Gigabit contract helps us extend <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366640252/Openreach-trials-pioneering-fibre-optic-water-leak-detection">full-fibre broadband</a> into more urban neighbourhoods across Essex, adding to the almost 575,000 homes and businesses across the county that we’ve already reached through our own roll-out.”</p> <div class="pro-features-wrapper"></div> Latest part of £5bn ultrafast broadband development scheme sees expansion of gigabit roll-out to cover full-fibre blackspots in urban areas, as well as the countryside https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/ComputerWeekly/Hero%20Images/OPenreach-nighttimefibrecabling-hero.jpg https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366642976/Thousands-of-Essex-premises-to-gain-upgraded-broadband Mon, 11 May 2026 11:00:00 GMT <p>5G has significantly improved sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare and logistics through higher speed, lower latency and the ability to simultaneously connect a vast number of devices. However, 5G roll outs are still incomplete in many regions across the world, with core performance and infrastructure issues persisting.&nbsp;</p> <p>Despite this, several enterprises are already preparing for 6G, the next generation of mobile connectivity, even though the technology is still in the applied research and development phase. Official standards are expected to be fully determined by around 2029, under the <a href="https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Information/presentations/Presentations_2024/03_2024_09_17_Puneet_v03.pdf">3GPP Release 21</a>, according to the European Parliament.&nbsp;This has raised a number of important questions for organisations.</p> <p>Are enterprises jumping the gun on 6G preparation when key challenges around 5G performance and infrastructure remain unsolved? And could early investment result in expensive architectural lock-ins down the line, once standards are fully finalised?&nbsp;</p> <p>“6G is not simply about streaming richer <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366626082/University-of-Oulu-shows-machine-vision-can-replace-expert-presence">AR experiences</a>. It is about transforming every sensor, robot and AI [artificial intelligence] system into an active node in a unified, adaptive digital nervous system,” says Khaled Elbehiery, professor at the Open Institute of Technology.</p> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="Why 6G is not just a mobile upgrade"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>Why 6G is not just a mobile upgrade&nbsp;</h2> <p>As a system-level shift, 6G is far more than simply an incremental mobile connectivity upgrade. Rather than treating AI-driven networks, edge computing, sensing and communications as add-on features, as with 5G, <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366639874/Qualcomm-plots-out-6G-Wi-Fi-8-future-with-AI-as-the-new-user-interface">6G is expected to fundamentally integrate them into core architecture</a>.&nbsp;</p> <p>For enterprises, this could considerably change the role of connectivity, as data transmission signals will also be used for environment monitoring, motion detection and automation support, especially in smart traffic management, industrial robotics and emergency services.</p> <p>6G will also introduce higher levels of network automation, with <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366639271/Artificial-intelligence-drives-autonomous-networks-customer-service-gains">self-optimising networks</a> handling real-time resource allocation, network configuration and inference management. Predictive maintenance is expected to help resolve traffic spikes and network failures before they happen as well, which will boost reliability.</p> <p>As an “edge-native” architecture, 6G will have distributed intelligence and low latency, which can significantly advance remote surgery, augmented reality and on-device model training.</p> <p>“The real value of 6G lies in device density, deterministic latency and integrated sensing, not headline gigabit rates. Despite early warnings about cyber security risks, many early discussions lack a strong emphasis on security by design,” says Elbehiery.</p> <p>Basically, given the widespread impact of 6G on core infrastructure, treating it only as “faster 5G” could be a crucial mistake.&nbsp;</p> </section> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="Where enterprises are already getting 6G wrong"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>Where enterprises are already getting 6G wrong&nbsp;</h2> <p>By looking at 6G only as incremental connectivity, several enterprises are already making investment and infrastructure planning decisions based on near-term feature expectations that may not exist when practical deployments come into effect.</p> <div class="pro-features-wrapper"></div> <p>One of the most immediate mistakes is mis-timing commercialisation and investment strategies. By failing to devise early revenue generating and monetisation strategies and still relying on 5G’s “build and they will come” mindset, enterprises risk treating 6G as a frantic race. This can lead enterprises to over-investment in premature technology before standards are fully defined, rather than developing practical deployments for the 2030s.</p> <p>Organisations could also make architectural and infrastructure mistakes. By relying on single vendors and closed architecture, enterprises will vastly increase the risk of expensive and complicated lock-ins down the line, especially since 6G standards are still in flux.</p> <p>There are inflated expectations that 6G will fix 5G shortcomings such as dead zones as well. However, in reality, bridge technologies such as 5G-Advanced (3GPP Release 18+) will likely continue to be needed. Similarly, 6G is unlikely to eliminate the need for Wi-Fi through universal coverage, due to persistent practical constraints such as high frequencies struggling to penetrate walls.&nbsp;</p> <p>“Many organisations out there are deploying edge compute in a way that is optimal for current 5G use cases, without thinking about what those environments are going to need to do in terms of interoperability across several networks and locations in a 6G world,” says Tomas Novosad, consumer technology analyst and founder of Fibre in my Area.&nbsp;</p> <p>Organisations are also under-accounting for system complexity and governance gaps in 6G, especially when it comes to the massive integrations, high energy and hardware needs the technology requires. Additionally, AI-native narratives have been overhyped at times, particularly around early 6G applications. While standards are expected to heavily integrate AI for beam management and energy efficiency, it is still likely to remain optional for critical infrastructure in the future.</p> <p>With the rise of AI-manipulated network management, data ethics, privacy and accountability questions will become more complex and need to be addressed as well.&nbsp;</p> </section> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="The real danger: lock-in risk"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>The real danger: lock-in risk&nbsp;</h2> <p>Currently, the biggest risk of early 6G decisions is lock-in, which can come in many forms. The most common is supplier lock-in, when enterprises continue to rely on established infrastructure providers to reduce integration failures. However, this can often result in high-cost, multi-year maintenance contracts and dependence on single ecosystems, which can be slow and complicated to reverse once deployed.</p> <p>Cloud infrastructure highlights a similar problem, where data, networking and orchestration layers become less portable over time, embedded in single environments. When this happens, migrating to another provider becomes a full architectural rebuild rather than a quick technical transition.</p> <p>Despite increased policy support, enterprises are still hesitant to fully embrace <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366639876/NVIDIA-teams-with-global-telecom-leaders-for-6G-development">Open RAN</a>, mainly due to commercial pressures. This often means that supplier diversification remains largely theoretical at scale.</p> <p>Another risk is committing too early to pre-standardised 6G technologies (pre-3GPP Release 21). This can lead to infrastructure being built on assumptions that later standards do not hold up, necessitating expensive replacements or redesign once standards are fully determined.</p> <p>Early architecture and spectrum decisions may also cause long-term rigidity at the physical layer. 6G is likely to need much more mid-band spectrum than 5G. However, committing infrastructure to current assumptions, could cause incompatibility with potentially higher-frequency and denser deployments years later.</p> <p>Given the accelerating shift towards a multi-network future, which will include 6G, Wi-Fi, <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366641709/Amazon-acquires-Globalstar-to-expand-satellite-comms-business">satellite systems</a> and private networks, overinvestment in any single network model could trap organisations into structures that no longer align with how connectivity is delivered.&nbsp;</p> <p>“The most expensive 6G mistake will not be buying the wrong radio. It will be building a network that cannot evolve to support innovation and the explosion in service demand without a procurement crisis,” warns Leid Zejnilovic, co-academic director of the digital data design institute at <a href="https://www.novasbe.unl.pt/en/community/institutes/digital-data-design-institute/overview">Nova SBE</a>.&nbsp;</p> </section> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="What enterprises need to fix for 6G right now"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>What enterprises need to fix for 6G right now&nbsp;</h2> <p>To minimise the chances of expensive 6G lock-ins and long-term rigidity, organisations need to take some concrete steps right now. “First, audit where current vendors control data gravity and operational workflows,” says Zejnilovic. “Second, insist on open interfaces for telemetry, policy and automation in new contracts. Third, put governance around AI-driven network changes in place now, before those tools become too embedded to challenge.”</p> <p>A key step is building architectural resilience through network-agnostic, hybrid connectivity design, prioritising cost control over optimisation-driven investments. This requires modular, AI-aware architectures that separate connectivity from application logic and use portable interfaces to enable flexibility across both local and global environments.</p> <p>Ideally, systems should be able to work across 5G, 6G, Wi-Fi and private networks, rather than focusing too narrowly on only one. This is because no single connectivity layer is expected to remain dominant or stable long enough to back long-term infrastructure decisions.</p> <p>Private networks and edge deployments should be treated as useful targeted tools, not default architecture, as overuse can cause more fragmentation and operational complexity than they solve. This is particularly when they are deployed without clear workload-dependent criteria.</p> <p>Organisations must prepare for automated and AI-driven networks as well. Observability, governance and accountability will all become much more critical as network operations become more autonomous. This is likely to shift risk from connectivity failure to hard-to-audit automation layers.&nbsp;</p> <p>“The question is no longer just whether the network can optimise itself,” Zejnilovic adds. “It is whether the enterprise can explain, constrain and reverse those optimisations when they affect performance, resilience or compliance. Auditability and human override will become core control points.”</p> <p>Similarly, enterprises should avoid chasing incremental headline speed improvements and investments on the back of supplier-driven “6G-native” narratives, to minimise chances of future expensive rebuilds once standards are fully formed.&nbsp;</p> </section> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="From 5G to 6G: an uneven transition"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>From 5G to 6G: an uneven transition</h2> <p>Instead of a clean shift, the path from 5G to 6G will likely be messy, uneven and highly fragmented, impacted by geopolitical, commercial and technical limitations.</p> <p>One of the main reasons for this is 5G’s ongoing underperformance in several areas and not being fully monetised, despite significant infrastructure investments. This has made funding for yet another massive infrastructure upgrade for 6G harder to obtain currently. As a result, rather than a reset, the technology is being seen more conservatively as an incremental extension.</p> <p>Increasing focus on 5G-Advanced as a bridge to 6G has further complicated the transition. Instead of a clear shift, networks are expected to evolve in overlapping phases, which could extend a hybrid environment and slow large-scale adoption.&nbsp;</p> <p>Significant technical challenges – such as building much denser infrastructure and increasing energy capacity – remain. Both deployment complexity and costs are likely to be higher than previous generations.</p> <p>Geopolitical fragmentation is shaping 6G development too. Digital sovereignty bids and competing standards across the US, Europe and China could hinder interoperability, creating a multi-speed global roll-out instead.</p> <p>Most importantly, 6G still doesn’t have a clear commercial driver, unlike previous generations. There is no “killer app” or immediate need that supports widespread adoption, making demand uncertain, despite expectations of advanced sensing and holographic communication.</p> <p>These factors highlight a transition which will be defined by coexistence, not replacement. As such, organisations need to be prepared to operate across overlapping connectivity generations, rather than anticipating a single, clear transition to 6G.</p> </section> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="What 6G readiness looks like"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>What 6G readiness looks like</h2> <p>6G isn’t about early adoption, but rather about avoiding potentially regrettable and expensive decisions today.&nbsp;Disciplined, architecture-first enterprises which focus on hybrid connectivity and network-agnostic systems will be most able to adapt as standards become defined.</p> <p>However, organisations waiting for a clean reset and swayed by overhyped “6G-native” narratives risk losing more in premature investments that will be difficult to reverse down the line.</p> <p>“6G is more than just another generation of wireless technology; it is a redefinition of how digital systems connect, compute and coordinate across the planet and beyond,” Elbehiery concludes.&nbsp;“Organisations that recognise this early will design for flexibility, openness and intelligence. Those that do not risk locking themselves into architectures that cannot evolve with the future.”</p> <p>The real challenge is not preparing for 6G but learning to adapt to a messy, overlapping transition.</p> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Read more about 6G</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366640451/Ericsson-SK-Telecom-ink-memorandum-of-understanding-to-strengthen-AI-RAN-5G-to-6G-innovation">Ericsson, SK Telecom ink MOI for AI-RAN, 5G to 6G innovation</a>: Global comms tech provider and Korean telco hold joint R&amp;D to advance AI-powered RAN, 5G monetisation, open and autonomous networks, zero-trust security, and 6G standardisation.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366639876/NVIDIA-teams-with-global-telecom-leaders-for-6G-development">MWC 2026: Nvidia teams with global telecom leaders for 6G development</a>: AI behemoth and global operators and infrastructure providers team to build next-generation mobile infrastructure to advance AI-native 6G innovation based on open and trusted software-defined wireless platforms.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366639378/SK-Telecom-outlines-mid-to-long-term-6G-network-evolution">SK Telecom outlines mid- to long-term 6G network evolution</a>: A paper on 6G development by South Korean operator highlights direction of infrastructure in the AI era, with vision rooted in fundamental network values such as security, stability and quality.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366639874/Qualcomm-plots-out-6G-Wi-Fi-8-future-with-AI-as-the-new-user-interface">MWC 2026: Qualcomm plots out 6G, Wi-Fi 8 future with AI as the new user interface</a>: Comms tech platform provider unveils agentic radio access network management service and AI enhancements for commercial RAN platforms to accelerate value for telcos on the path to 6G.</li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> 6G networks will be coming over the course of the next three to four years, offering more unprecedented capability than their predecessors, but this does not mean unprecedented amounts need to be spent to make them viable https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/ComputerWeekly/HeroImages/5G-6G-mobile-network-next-gen-SmileStudioAP-adobe.jpg https://www.computerweekly.com/feature/What-businesses-need-to-fix-now-to-avoid-expensive-6G-lock-ins Mon, 11 May 2026 09:40:00 GMT <p>According to research from connectivity firm Eseye, internet of things (IoT) technology deployment has seen a significant uptake in the past few years, with implementations at mid-sized companies in particular rising from 51% in 2021 to 76% in 2025. Furthermore, according to business management firm <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/tech-and-ai/our-insights/iot-value-set-to-accelerate-through-2030-where-and-how-to-capture-it">McKinsey</a>, IoT technology is expected to generate around $5.5tn to $12.6tn of global economic value by 2030.</p> <p>However, growth across sectors has not been uniform so far.&nbsp;For example, agriculture <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366638459/Vodafone-IoT-and-Skylo-bring-NTN-NB-IoT-connectivity-to-global-customers">IoT deployments</a> have scaled across millions of acres and are using low-cost sensors to decrease chemical usage, improve irrigation and boost yields, despite patchy connectivity in remote areas.&nbsp;In contrast, similar deployments have often struggled to scale beyond pilots in <a href="https://www.techtarget.com/iotagenda/tip/Top-9-applications-of-IoT-in-healthcare">healthcare and home care</a>, slowed down by high security requirements and integration challenges.</p> <p>“IoT scales in agriculture and logistics because those environments can usually absorb some delay, packet loss and partial visibility. A soil sensor can miss a reading and the farm still functions. A pallet tracker can reconnect later and the shipment still arrives,” says Leid Zejnilovic, co-academic director at <a href="https://www.novasbe.unl.pt/en/community/institutes/digital-data-design-institute/overview">Nova SBE’s Digital Data Design Institute</a>.</p> <p>“Healthcare is different because the cost of a bad assumption is not inconvenience but harm. The hard problem in healthcare is not connectivity alone, but trustworthy operation inside a safety-critical workflow.”</p> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="Where IoT works"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>Where IoT works&nbsp;</h2> <p>One of the sectors where IoT has scaled most effectively is agriculture, transforming traditional farming into <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366582872/Intelsat-and-CNH-sow-seeds-of-smart-farming-satellite-connectivity">smart farming</a>. Sensors offer real-time data on temperature, soil moisture and nutrient levels, allowing hyper-targeted input applications of water and fertilisers.</p> <p>Advanced data analytics predict plant disease and harvest quality through crop growth monitoring, whereas automation and robotics enable self-driving machinery to plough, plant and harvest autonomously. Connected wearables such as smart collars and ear tags enable remote health monitoring, enhancing productivity and decreasing animal losses.</p> <p>The main reason IoT works so well in agriculture is because of the environment, rather than the technology. Agricultural systems have low bandwidth requirements and can tolerate intermittent connectivity, packet loss and latency without many major consequences.&nbsp;</p> <p>“Agriculture and logistics are forgiving environments. If a soil sensor misses a reading for 15 minutes, the crop doesn’t die. If a fleet tracker drops a signal in a tunnel, the driver is still driving. It’s not that there’s no business impact, but in most cases, slight failures can be absorbed,” says Pratik Mistry, executive vice-president of technology consulting at custom software development company <a href="https://radixweb.com/">Radixweb</a>.</p> <p>This makes agriculture well-suited to LPWAN technologies such as NB-IoT and <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366637812/Netmore-claims-Actility-acquisition-to-herald-transformation-of-Massive-IoT">LoRaWAN</a>, which provide long battery lives, wide coverage and lower costs, even in rural areas with patchy connectivity.&nbsp;</p> <p>Similarly forgiving conditions are also seen in supply chains and logistics, where IoT is used to monitor storage conditions and track shipments. Here, systems can also still function efficiently despite incomplete or delayed data. As such, IoT functions best in settings where connectivity does not have to be reliable or continuous.&nbsp;</p> </section> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="Where IoT breaks down"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>Where IoT breaks down&nbsp;</h2> <p>Yet despite IoT’s progress in various sectors, the technology still struggles to scale in some areas, especially healthcare. Even though IoT has significantly helped to advance remote patient monitoring, many deployments have not scaled beyond pilots, especially in care homes. This is mainly because healthcare environments work under zero-tolerance conditions.</p> <div class="pro-features-wrapper"></div> <p>“When you’re monitoring a patient’s cardiac rhythm or managing a connected insulin pump, the tolerance for failure just disappears. It doesn’t shrink, it just isn’t there,” Mistry points out. “When that happens, all the assumptions you built your system on like the network is stable, that latency is acceptable, that the device will behave the same way in ward four as it did in your controlled pilot get stress-tested in ways they never were in a greenhouse.”</p> <p>High security and compliance requirements further complicate deployments in environments with sensitive patient data, as does the risk of cyber attacks.&nbsp;</p> <p>“Many IoT and OT devices in healthcare are not secured to the same standard as mainstream IT systems. They often have longer lifecycles, weaker patching routines, limited update capability and poor visibility once deployed,” adds Martin Butler, professor of digital transformation at Vlerick Business School. “This creates a serious problem in healthcare. A compromised device can expose sensitive patient data, disrupt care processes, or create a route into wider clinical systems.”</p> <p>Scaling involves high costs and operational roadblocks when growing healthcare deployments across entire regions or trusts. This makes funding harder to obtain, especially when ROI [return on investment] cannot be easily quantified in clinical terms.</p> <p>Integrating new sensors with legacy electronic patient record systems further adds to costs and holds back deployment cycles. When pilots do show early promise, healthcare staff may resist IoT systems that introduce extra steps into workflows, reducing day-to-day clinical adoption.</p> <p>At the organisational level, a lack of clear outcome ownership constrains pilot scaling, which cannot roll out fully without procurement alignment, governance structures and accountability. Projects are thus left without actionable roadmaps and stumble between experimentation and production.&nbsp;</p> </section> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="Connectivity choices: the real make-or-breaks"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>Connectivity choices: the real make-or-breaks&nbsp;</h2> <p>Connectivity choices are often underestimated when it comes to IoT deployments, despite being a key cause of&nbsp;scaling failures. This leads to deployments being incorrectly set up right from the get-go.</p> <p>“A large share of failure does come from unrealistic assumptions about connectivity, latency and reliability. Many projects are designed around average conditions, when high-stakes environments are governed by exceptions,” says Zejnilovic. “If the workflow needs deterministic behaviour, ‘usually connected’ and ‘about right’ is not enough. That is why successful deployments push more resilience to the edge through local decision-making, store-and-forward logic and explicit fallback paths.”</p> <p>Different connectivity types are optimised for different use cases, which can lead to struggles if applied elsewhere.&nbsp;A key mistake that enterprises often make in connectivity choices is choosing what is available, rather than what the use case requires, which can cause higher maintenance, weaker data quality and shorter battery life at scale.</p> <p>Low-powered wide-area network (LPWAN) works best for low-data, low-power deployments and long-lasting battery-operated devices, such as in smart cities or agriculture. However, high latency and limited payloads cause them to break down in environments that need high-volume or timely data, such as critical care.</p> <p>By contrast, cellular technology provides mobility and scale, ideal for fleet management and consumer wearables, but is very expensive and complex to manage at scale. Security concerns also make it unsuitable for highly regulated environments dealing with sensitive data such as healthcare or national industrial systems. Wi-Fi can be relatively cost-effective, especially for smart homes, but risks instability when deployed across distributed or dense environments such as city-wide applications.&nbsp;</p> <p>“Choosing the right connectivity is critical, as poor decisions can lead to exponential deployment costs, typically from underestimating the project’s full scale,” says Iker Mayordomo, solutions consultant at Zebra Technologies. “To avoid this, you must answer key questions from the start: How many assets need tracking? What level of accuracy is required? Is point-in-time location sufficient, or is real-time visibility necessary? How frequently is position data needed?”</p> </section> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="Why so many IoT deployments fail to scale beyond pilots"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>Why so many IoT deployments fail to scale beyond pilots</h2> <p>Over 70% of IoT deployments never grow beyond the pilot stage, despite showing promise, according to IoT solutions company <a href="https://metadeskglobal.com/iot-pilot-failure-and-how-to-avoid-it/#:~:text=Final%20Thoughts,most%20misleading%20narratives%20in...">Metadesk Global</a>.&nbsp;This is mainly due to the “pristine environment” fallacy, as pilots run in ideal conditions that often do not reflect practical deployment conditions.&nbsp;</p> <p>“Pilots are almost designed to succeed. You’ve got a controlled environment, a motivated team, the supplier is on-site, leadership is paying attention, everything is freshly configured. Your network, data governance, even device lifecycle management is all for 50 devices, 50 people and 50-minute tests – times it by 10 and your system come crashing down,” says Mistry.</p> <p>The key reason for this pilot purgatory is enterprises still treating IoT pilots as technical experiments, instead of strategic operational initiatives, making them underprepared for sharp scaling costs and challenges.</p> <p>“Many IoT projects stall after pilot because the pilot proves possibility, not operational scale. It can hide manual provisioning, extra engineering attention and a narrow estate,” says Zejnilovic. “The real roll-out exposes simple things like battery replacement cycles, or firmware updates, to more complex socio-technical challenges like support ownership, dead zones, identity management and integration with legacy systems. That is where organisations discover they funded a demo rather than an operating model.”</p> <p>Similarly, total cost of ownership (TCO), is underestimated, as long-term maintenance, data storage and support costs quickly add up. This results in funding and resource mismatches, inviting more C-suite hesitancy.&nbsp;The labour and resource cost of device management and security at scale is a challenge too, with thousands of devices needing provisioning, firmware updates and security patching. Keeping track of device battery lifecycles adds another layer of complexity.&nbsp;</p> </section> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="What enterprises get wrong about IoT"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>What enterprises get wrong about IoT</h2> <p>Despite IoT’s widespread uptake in recent years, organisations still consistently misunderstand what drives success. Strategy misconceptions about IoT’s value are the biggest issue. Several enterprises assume that the technology will directly improve efficiency and deliver predictable ROI and cost savings at scale.&nbsp;</p> <p>This lends to the expectation that a successful pilot in one, tightly controlled environment will scale effortlessly across others.&nbsp;In reality, IoT’s value is highly dependent on deployment contexts. Returns often only appear in specific and narrow environments, while scaling unveils considerable operational and cost factors previously invisible at the pilot stage.</p> <p>Many organisations also make flawed architectural and design assumptions. This occurs mainly by treating IoT as a one-time modular hardware roll-out that can easily be plugged into existing infrastructure, instead of a continuously managed system. Through this, enterprises also tend to defer integration problems with legacy systems to be solved later.&nbsp;</p> <p>However, legacy systems are brittle and not modular, and ignoring integration costs and hurdles can cause them to compound monumentally at scale. This can have significant consequences in situations where systems need to support continuous data flows, interoperability across environments and device management.&nbsp;</p> <p>Enterprises also widely assume that connectivity will be stable enough everywhere – however, practical variations such as density, buildings and geography can fragment connectivity.&nbsp;</p> <p>“The assumption I see most often is that because a hospital has Wi-Fi everywhere, connectivity is solved, which is understandable. The coverage maps look great and the signal strength looks fine,” says Mistry. “But coverage and reliability are completely different things. Imaging equipment, patient monitors, visitor phones and staff tablets all compete on the same infrastructure. IoT devices, especially continuous biometric streaming ones, tend to be the lowest-priority traffic on that network. When things get congested, they get throttled first.”</p> <p>Organisations also often overestimate what pilot success proves, buoyed by confidence from artificially controlled wins. However, in practical environments, system dependencies, cost pressures and variability change outcomes significantly.&nbsp;As a result, enterprises risk building growth strategies based on limited evidence and treating systemic problems as edge cases, which allows confidence to grow faster than capability.&nbsp;</p> </section> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="The key decider: environments, not technology"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>The key decider: environments, not technology</h2> <p>Deployment conditions matter far more than sophisticated technology when it comes to IoT success, especially as the technology continues to be applied in a variety of industries globally.</p> <p>“Some applications scale well because the data is useful, the costs are manageable and the system can be integrated into everyday operations,” says Butler. “Others struggle, not because the sensors are inadequate, but because governance, integration, liability, reliability or operating costs make scale difficult for a specific use case.”</p> <p>As such, organisations which design for practical network realities instead of perfect conditions, will be best suited to scale IoT deployments successfully.</p> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Read more about IoT</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366638922/Direct-to-device-connectivity-set-to-underpin-next-generation-of-industrial-IoT">Direct-to-device connectivity&nbsp;set to underpin next generation of industrial IoT</a>: Research from satellite comms firm finds D2D connectivity&nbsp;will underpin the next generation of industrial internet of things, with&nbsp;almost all&nbsp;IoT decision-makers set to adopt&nbsp;the technology in the next&nbsp;18 months.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366638967/Myriota-introduces-satellite-based-scalable-global-asset-tracking">Myriota introduces satellite-based scalable&nbsp;global asset tracking</a>: Global provider of satellite IoT connectivity unveils&nbsp;long-life asset tracker designed to deliver reliable global visibility beyond the reach of traditional cellular networks and overcome traditional barriers.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366638459/Vodafone-IoT-and-Skylo-bring-NTN-NB-IoT-connectivity-to-global-customers">Vodafone IoT, Skylo bring NTN NB-IoT connectivity to global users</a> In a ‘notable’ step in enabling the next wave of internet of things solutions,&nbsp;the IoT division of telco teams with non-terrestrial network provider to deliver satellite-based narrowband connectivity.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366640346/Telenor-IoT-expands-global-connectivity-with-launch-of-global-APN">Telenor IoT expands global connectivity with launch of global APN</a>: Internet of things division of leading Nordic telco aims to simplify global IoT deployments by enabling companies to use a single access point name across all regions.</li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> Deployment environments matter far more than sophistication, when it comes to IoT success. This includes scaling costs, on-ground network realities and the difficulty of integrating new tech into legacy systems https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/German/article/industrial-IoT-1-adobe.jpg https://www.computerweekly.com/feature/Why-IoT-grows-in-agriculture-but-needs-tonic-for-healthcare Mon, 11 May 2026 09:15:00 GMT <p>With the 2026 football World cup in the US, Canada and Mexico only days away, planning for the UEFA Euro 2028 football tournament in the UK and Ireland has begun to gather pace with the appointment of BT Group as its Official Telecommunications Partner.</p> <p>The eighteenth tournament of its kind for the top-rated football nations in the European region, organised by governing body UEFA Europe, <a href="https://www.uefa.com/euro2028/news/028f-1b599fe02d18-0c758142f5e4-1000--euro-2028-all-you-need-to-know/">Euro 28</a> will take place in the UK and Republic of Ireland from 9 June to 9 July 2028. Nine stadiums will host matches, including Wembley Stadium in London, Glasgow’s Hampden Park, the Dublin Arena, the National Stadium of Wales in Cardiff, the Hill Dickinson stadium in Liverpool, Newcastle’s St James’ Park, the Etihad stadium in Manchester, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, and Villa Park in Birmingham.</p> <p>The communications contract for BT extends its <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366618530/EE-scores-Wembley-Stadium-connectivity-renewal">existing support of the national game</a> in England and will see BT’s network power every part of the football tournament. This will encompass connectivity at the nine stadiums and 24 team base camps to the broadcast operations that will connect a global audience that is estimated to be in the region of more than two billion fans.</p> <p>BT added that the connected experiences for fans and customers surrounding the tournament will also include public screenings and <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366642413/Eseye-boosts-global-IoT-resilience-with-SGP32-eSIM-orchestration">eSIM services</a> to enhanced network performance in host cities.</p> <p>BT said this will allow fans to enjoy every second of the action. “UEFA Euro 2028 is a perfect example of a brilliant moment that BT sits behind. It will be an event of national significance that will connect the UK and a global community of fans, leveraging the unique strength of BT’s networks and technologies to deliver unforgettable experiences for fans, customers and the country,” added BT Group chief executive Allison Kirkby.</p> <p>“For 180 years, BT has played a critical role – trusted to connect people, businesses and communities. Having invested heavily into our networks in recent years, this is now the moment to invest even further in our brands, products and services, so that more of our customers and more of the country can experience and benefit from being connected by BT.”</p> <p>UEFA executive director of marketing Guy-Laurent Epstein said: “UEFA is delighted to welcome BT as the Official Telecommunications Partner of UEFA Euro 2028, bringing on board a true industry leader in the UK. By combining BT’s world-class network and technical expertise with UEFA’s ambition for innovation, we share a clear commitment to enhancing the fan experience in stadia and for viewers worldwide, delivering seamless connectivity and memorable moments throughout the summer of 2028.”</p> <p>As it was announcing the UEFA partnership, BT unveiled its <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aALy4plc9KY">Behind Brilliant Things brand campaign</a>, said to be the biggest of its kind this decade. The operator said that the campaign will not only see the introduction of a suite of BT products and services but also highlight “the vital, but often unseen” role it plays for the UK connecting, protecting and “supercharging the UK”.</p> <p>The company stated it connects more homes and businesses than anyone else, protects the UK from millions of cyber threats every day, and is investing billions in the UK’s digital backbone to supercharge the country’s growth. Examples cited ranged from <a href="https://informaplc-my.sharepoint.com/personal/joseph_ohalloran_informa_com/Documents/Apps">running the emergency services network</a> and helping answer 999 calls, to helping customers deal with more than four million scam attempts every day.</p> <p>The upgraded products and services are said to be designed for consumers and businesses relying on safe, secure connectivity. Noting that with four million Brits falling victim to digital scams last year, BT said it was introducing free enhanced cyber threat protection for every residential broadband customer.</p> <p>Customers can also now access BT Smart Hub 3 Wi-Fi and a redesigned MyBT app for managing their services. Noting the popularity of bundling services, BT is a introducing a line up of mobile connectivity plans exclusively for its broadband customers. There will also be upgrades to offerings for small and medium-sized enterprises, including connectivity solutions and free advice for businesses to help them respond to changing risks in a digital environment.</p> <div class="pro-features-wrapper"></div> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Read more connectivity for football</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366637319/Chelsea-shoots-for-enhanced-mobile-connectivity-in-and-around-Stamford-Bridge">Chelsea shoots for enhanced mobile connectivity in and around Stamford Bridge</a>: Leading English football club upgrades mobile network in and around home stadium to deliver enhanced connectivity for fans attending matches and events, based on new and upgraded small cells.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366630109/Neos-Networks-to-deliver-live-broadcast-connectivity-for-Premier-League">Neos Networks to deliver live broadcast connectivity for Premier League</a>: Provider of global connectivity services for broadcast and events taps dedicated B2B network provider to ensure high-quality delivery of Premier League football.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366618530/EE-scores-Wembley-Stadium-connectivity-renewal">EE scores Wembley Stadium connectivity renewal</a>: <a href="https://www.techtarget.com/contributor/Joe-OHalloran"></a>&nbsp;UK’s leading mobile comms provider extends title connectivity partnership with England’s national football stadium in London, as well as with all four Home Nations Football Associations.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366620455/Extreme-Networks-scores-next-gen-Wi-Fi-deal-with-United-Soccer-League">Extreme Networks scores next-gen Wi-Fi deal with United Soccer League</a>: AI-powered networking automation firm gets result in emerging football league for enhanced wireless connectivity and network insights to elevate fan experiences and streamline league operations.</li> </ul> </div> </div> UK’s leading telco appointed Official Telecommunications Partner of the UEFA European Football Championship 2028, with BT launching products and services designed for customers nationwide https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/ComputerWeekly/HeroImages/football-stadium-fans-Melinda-Nagy-adobe.jpg https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366642997/BT-scores-EURO-2028-connectivity-deal Mon, 11 May 2026 08:45:00 GMT <p>Offering autonomous networking capabilities to accelerate secure, artificial intelligence (AI)-native operations, <a href="https://www.hpe.com/nl/en/home.html">HPE</a> has unveiled self-driving network capabilities that it says will enable customers to boost efficiency and proactive operations, and significantly reduce help desk tickets.</p> <p>HPE said it was clear that the self-driving network is no longer aspirational; it is operational – and with the introduction of self-driving actions across HPE Mist and HPE Aruba Central lines, it is delivering on its vision of secure, AI-native, fully autonomous networking by enabling networks that can detect, diagnose and resolve issues in real time without human intervention.</p> <p>Central to this approach is what the company calls a differentiated architecture powered by microservices, autonomous agents and an advanced agentic mesh, designed to move beyond insight-driven operations to true autonomy, and proactively resolve issues before they impact revenue, operations or brand reputation.</p> <p>The autonomous agents – the capabilities of which form the base of the self‑driving network – are intended to further reduce the need for manual intervention, delivering capacity and radio optimisation, self-securing actions and user roaming issue resolution.</p> <p>Together, said HPE, these capabilities enable networks to proactively improve user experience and prevent issues before they disrupt business operations. Self‑driving actions designed to optimise and secure end user experiences include: dynamic capacity optimisation; autonomous missing <a href="https://www.techtarget.com/searchnetworking/tip/How-to-set-up-a-VLAN-for-enterprise-networks">virtual local area network</a> (VLAN) remediation; rogue DHCP protection; real-time dynamic frequency selection (DFS);<b> </b>client roaming insights; and user experience latency metrics.</p> <p>Capacity optimisation features will now autonomously identify capacity bottlenecks, and dynamically tunes RF parameters, including band selection, channel bandwidth and power levels, beyond predefined operational ranges by leveraging learned utilisation patterns. This is intended to deliver optimised end-user capacity, coverage and roaming experiences for wireless users.</p> <p>Autonomous missing VLAN remediation offers a trusted self-driving action that autonomously fixes VLAN configuration errors in the access layer to prevent blackholing of client traffic. This is an evolution from driver-assisted VLAN remediation, assuring even faster problem resolution for better user experiences.</p> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Read more about AI for networking</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366642566/Extreme-Connect-26-Agent-ONE-takes-forward-network-AI">Extreme Connect 26: Agent ONE takes forward network AI</a>: Network firm launches ‘smarter, faster, autonomous’ approach to enterprise networking, with its operating model moving from assistive AI to autonomous, always-on operations.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366641094/Marvell-scales-up-networking-to-extend-Nvidia-AI-ecosystem">Marvell scales up networking to extend Nvidia AI ecosystem</a>: AI GPU leader sees extension of AI infrastructure through collaboration with infrastructure technology to deliver more choice and flexibility for customers with fully compatible systems.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366641242/Cisco-network-readiness-a-determining-factor-for-AI-success">Network readiness a determining factor for AI success</a>: Report reveals how&nbsp;firms are harnessing AI to drive progress and overcome industry challenges, with most expecting ‘significant’ increases in connectivity and reliability demands.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366641460/Optical-networks-to-bridge-the-AI-compute-consumption-gap">Optical networks to bridge the AI compute-consumption gap</a>: With AI spurring gigawatt-scale datacentre builds across APAC, Ciena is deploying ultra-fast, energy-efficient optical networking and AI-driven automation to ensure AI services can reach consumers.</li> </ul> </div> </div> <p>The system also autonomously detects and remediates unauthorised DHCP servers to mitigate potential external security risks and prevent end user connectivity disruptions. DFS capabilities mean that self-driving complements AI-driven radio resource management (RRM) to adaptively learn and proactively avoid association issues on frequently impacted channels to mitigate wireless client disruptions.</p> <p>Client roaming insights are designed to ensure smooth, uninterrupted roaming for users by analysing client connectivity metrics, including location, leading to self-driving actions. In addition, the features are designed to accelerate root‑cause identification by measuring Wi‑Fi performance at “first connect” and providing clear, end‑to‑end visibility into latency from the user’s device to the cloud.</p> <p>Both HPE Mist and HPE Aruba Central also support expanded <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366639282/AIDA-Cruises-fleet-sets-sail-with-OpenRoaming-for-Wi-Fi-connectivity">OpenRoaming integration</a>&nbsp;to reduce costs and operational complexity while supporting easier, more secure Wi-Fi access across locations without constant logins, and protecting users with strong identity checks. This capability is attributed with helping to simplify operations and move organisations faster towards <a href="https://www.techtarget.com/searchitoperations/tip/Zero-trust-in-the-IT-ops-stack-Securing-hybrid-workloads">zero trust security</a>.</p> <p>Rami Rahim, executive vice-president, and president and general manager of networking at HPE, said: “The network HPE now delivers represents a pivotal shift for our customers and marks a breakaway moment for them to capture the benefits of the next frontier of autonomous actions. This fundamentally changes the role of networking from a system that informs to one that takes action on behalf of the business, freeing customer networking teams to focus on innovation instead of operations.”</p> <p>In addition to outlining the capabilities of the products, HPE also pointed to customers gaining benefits from full agentic autonomy via a self-driving network, one of which was the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice">UK Ministry of Justice</a>, which is said to have significantly improved network operations, achieving a “significant” reduction in help desk tickets and dramatically streamlining issue resolution.</p> <p>“Over the past four years, the Ministry of Justice has transformed how it operates a highly complex, multi‑vendor digital estate, embedding intelligence directly into the network at national scale,” said Nava Ramanan, director of technology at the Ministry of Justice. “The HPE self-driving network enables trusted autonomous actions that help us anticipate and resolve issues before users are impacted. This approach has contributed to an approximate 75% reduction in service desk tickets and enabled us to bring the management of around 15,000 devices in‑house, giving our teams greater ownership, control and flexibility to deliver resilient, always‑on justice services today and into the future.”</p> <div class="pro-features-wrapper"></div> Self-driving network capabilities added across core lines to enable secure, AI-native, fully autonomous infrastructure through networks that can detect, diagnose and resolve issues in real time without human intervention https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/ComputerWeekly/Hero%20Images/HPE-server-hardware-AngeloB-adobe.jpg https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366642866/HPE-announces-autonomous-networking-capabilities Mon, 11 May 2026 07:45:00 GMT <p>The use of immersive technologies in physical locations tends to be limited to some three-dimensional, sometimes holographic, visuals and advanced sound technologies. Only some dedicated venues highlight wind, smell or water drops to accompany short movies for entertainment purposes.</p> <p>Several articles have <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/feature/Expanding-sensory-experiences-in-virtual-environments">looked at efforts to address a wide range of senses beyond sight and sound for virtual reality (VR)</a> applications. Augmented and mixed reality (AR and MR) promise to bring many of these experiences and sensations into real-world environments for healthcare, entertainment, training, education and many other applications.</p> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="Bathing in sensory experiences"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>Bathing in sensory experiences</h2> <p>Researchers at the Max Planck Institute in Germany experiment with virtual, multi-sensory forests for therapeutic services. In Japan, <em>shinrin-yoku</em> describes the process of immersing oneself in forest environments for meditative purposes. The activity is often referred to as forest bathing and involves focusing on the sensory sensation of experiencing nature. The researchers found “forest <a href="https://www.mpg.de/25020718/0702-bild-virtual-forest-bathing-alleviates-stress-149835-x">bathing in virtual reality improves emotional well-being</a> and increases connectedness to nature, particularly when several senses (sight, hearing, smell) are simultaneously engaged”.</p> <p>Employing 360-degree virtual reality (VR) imaging, the sound of forests and the smell of firs, the study exposed test subjects to several simulations. Combining these three sensory stimuli resulted in mood improvements and stronger emotional connection to nature in contrast to only applying individual stimuli. More research is needed to deepen understanding, but “we can already say that digital nature experiences can absolutely produce an emotional effect – even if they don’t replace actual nature”, says Leonie Ascone, lead author of the study and researcher at the University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf.</p> <p>Simone Kühn, director of the Centre for Environmental Neuroscience at the Max Planck Institute and leader of the study, points to healthcare and wellness applications: “Especially in places with limited access to nature – such as clinics, waiting areas or urban interiors – <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250705084325.htm">multisensory VR applications or targeted nature staging</a> could support mental well-being. The images, sounds and scents of nature offer previously underestimated potential for improving mood and mental performance in everyday situations.”</p> </section> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="Experiencing multisensory art"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>Experiencing multisensory art</h2> <p>The multisensory art exhibition <a href="https://resound-nyc.com/">reSound</a> New York teases <em>Feel the Light, See the Sound, Touch the Moment</em>. Seven stages attract visitors with various synaesthetic experiences, which are experiences that cross senses (similar to the way that some musicians perceive musical notes and melodies as colours). South Korean’s <a href="https://www.dstrict.com/index">design firm d’strict</a>, which develops “innovative spatial experiences”, and Arte Museum New York unveiled reSound in October 2025. The organisers invited artists and art studios to reinvent the exhibition space as a distinct sensory and psychological environment, evoking emotional and physical responses that merge art, sound and interaction.</p> <div class="pro-features-wrapper"></div> <p>Exhibitions include d’strict’s <em>Arrival</em>, featuring a large video installation that establishes a “dark, immersive wave that surrounds visitors with sound and motion”. Meanwhile, <em>Boundless</em> “translate[s] complex narratives into unforgettable, interactive experiences” and features a tactile orchestra by Dutch design firm <a href="https://www.fillipstudios.com/">Fillip Studios</a> that transform walls into instruments. The walls enable visitors to create musical harmonies through touch. Eric Gunther’s <em>Boundless Body</em> reimagines poetry as “vibration along a twelve-foot wooden bench”.</p> <p>Inspired by black holes, astrophysicist Erin Kara, anthropologist Ian Condry and several collaborators created <em>Echo</em>, an installation that fuses scientific sonification with kinetic light and spatial sound. Clearly, verbal descriptions are insufficient; these installations are meant to be experienced.</p> <p>Revealing the overall objective, Sean Lee, d’strict’s CEO, says: “To us, immersive art means engaging all the senses in an innovative way to create an indelible experience that fully surrounds and involves the audience.”</p> <p>L.J. Kim, d’strict’s director, adds: “It’s about touch, sound, emotion and perception, not just screens or devices.” Highlighting an aspect of immersive technologies that points to future use cases, Kim notes: “A shift in sound, a vibration, a resonance or a distant echo can change not just our perception of the artwork but our awareness of the space and of others nearby.”</p> <p>A similar concept, Japan’s <a href="https://www.teamlab.art/e/">teamLab</a> showcases immersive art globally. In April 2025, teamLab’s location <a href="https://www.teamlababudhabi.com/">Phenomena Abu Dhabi</a> opened, featuring some two dozen artworks that immerse visitors in multisensory landscapes such as projected forests, hologram ceilings and colour-lit waterfalls. TeamLab has been around for a quarter century but continues to incorporate newest technologies in its installations.</p> <p>Its cofounder Toshiyuki Inoko outlines the art corporation’s mission to connect to the potential that spatial and immersive technologies enable: “What people have created historically just happened to be tangible objects, so that’s how people perceive the world, but there’s a <a href="https://www.artbasel.com/stories/inside-teamlab-immersive-art-abu-dhabi-toshiyuki-inoko">lot of the world that is not object-based in the physical sense</a>.”</p> <p>Other groups explore the power of immersive technologies to empower visitors to tell their own stories. <a href="https://www.visions2030.studio/about">Visions 2030</a>, a New York design studio, is using immersive technologies to create societal narratives on climate issues, social justice and urbanisation, for example. Leveraging “diverse disciplines such as design, art, science and technology, [the artists] strive to explore the immense potential of imagination to facilitate new ways of thinking”.</p> <p>The group created the <em><a href="https://www.visions2030.studio/programs/the-lumisphere">Lumisphere Experience</a></em>, a “multi-sensory, immersive journey” that guides visitors through three domes via visual and narrated storytelling. Visitors are immersed in moving projections and sound environments. The purpose of the installation is to let visitors explore potential worlds. In the final dome, they can use a tablet and “are invited to create the ideal eco-future they just dreamed”.</p> <p>Artificial intelligence (AI) creative Refik Anadol makes visual art that leverages portfolios of photos and visuals to create mesmerising work. His work has been featured by the Sphere in Las Vegas and at the façade of the Walt Disney concert hall in Los Angeles. Most prominently, the Museum of Modern Art in New York commissioned the art installation <a href="https://www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/5535"><em>Unsupervised</em></a> in 2022. In a recent <em>60 Minutes</em> portrayal, he outlines his approach to leveraging AI.</p> <p>“<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LPV-hb1CKU">Data around us has its own voice</a>…When I think about data as a pigment, I think it doesn’t need to dry,” he says. “It can move, in any shape, any form, any colour and texture.”</p> <p>Anadol is also incorporating sensory sensations such as a neck-worn device that pumps out scents of rain and flowers, and he is experimenting with a wrist-worn device that measures wearers’ vital statistics such as their heartbeats to then change the art in real time according to the measurements.</p> </section> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="Calling out immersive sound"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>Calling out immersive sound</h2> <p>Sight and sound naturally go together and are most-used senses in art and entertainment. As visuals advance rapidly towards three-dimensional, immersive landscapes, sound is perhaps only some steps behind in creating multilayered, textured soundscapes. New solutions can create personalised sound experiences in public spaces, to cancel out noise to create silent bubbles for individuals, or to focus relevant information on selected individuals such as making navigation information in cars only audible to drivers.</p> <p>A research team of Assembly AI, Microsoft and University of Washington has shown how to use AI to create silent zones. These zones enable speakers to have conversations without noise interference from outside, with the team saying: “<a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/noise-cancelling-headphones">This sound bubble</a> allows people within a radius of up to 2 meters to converse with hugely reduced interference from other speakers or noise outside the zone.” The group’s system “analyses audio data to clearly identify sound sources within and without a designated bubble size. The system then suppresses extraneous sounds in real time”.</p> <p>In another effort at the University of Washington, a research team developed AI headphones for use in public spaces, an environment where many existing applications fail due to the surrounding noise. The University of Washington team created <a href="https://www.washington.edu/news/2025/05/09/ai-headphones-translate-multiple-speakers-at-once-cloning-their-voices-in-3d-sound/">Spatial Speech Translation</a>, which leverages existing noise-cancelling headphones and microphones and combines them with a newly developed algorithm.</p> <p>“The team’s algorithms separate out the different speakers in a space and follow them as they move, translate their speech and play it back with a 2 to 4 second delay,” says the team. The system not only translates the speech but also “maintains the expressive qualities and volume of each speaker’s voice”.</p> <p>Researchers at Pennsylvania State University and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory say that “recent advancements in digital signal processing and loudspeaker array design have enabled us to <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2408975122">experience immersive spatial audio in virtual/augmented/extended reality environments</a> in our daily lives”. The team is working on “highly localised remote audio spots” that they call audible enclaves to enable novel future opportunities to create immersive sound applications. The Penn State researchers readily admit that their technology “isn’t something that’s going to be on the shelf in the immediate future” – distortion affecting sound quality and power efficiency are some of the issues that will hold back commercial use for some time.</p> </section> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="Moving towards a sensory internet"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>Moving towards a sensory internet</h2> <p>Multisensory environments will become commonplace as technologies advances, costs come down, and professionals and consumers get familiarised with related applications.</p> <p>Ericsson’s chief technology officer Mallik Tatipamula, and Google’s chief internet evangelist Vinton Cerf, even see a <a href="https://spectrum-ieee-org.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/spectrum.ieee.org/amp/history-of-internet-7-phases-2674228201">sense-focused incarnation</a> as one of the seven phases of the internet that they identified: “Through every phase, connectivity has been the unifying principle, although with every successive phase also comes new forms of connection.”</p> <p>They argue that after the original internet, the mobile internet, the internet of things and the internet of AI agents (which is currently emerging), the internet of senses will develop, which will focus on perception. Researchers foresee the final two phases as being the ubiquitous internet and the quantum internet.</p> <p>They outline their vision of the internet of senses: “Multisensory communication expands the network’s palate beyond just text, audio and video. In the age of the internet of senses, networks will carry signals that convey the modalities of touch, taste and smell. Advances in haptic wearables, digital olfaction and brain-computer interfaces (BCI) will allow a shopper to ‘feel’ the texture of clothing online or ‘smell’ perfume before buying. In healthcare, doctors will remotely examine patients using haptic gloves that transmit the sense of feeling. Meanwhile, education will become more immersive, enabling students to explore history or science through tactile and sensory experiences.”</p> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Read more about immersive technologies</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/feature/Expanding-sensory-experiences-in-virtual-environments">Expanding sensory experiences in virtual environments</a>: Augmented, virtual and extended realities are all trying to allow users to interact with virtual information in ways we are used to in real life.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/feature/AI-XR-digital-twins-set-to-transform-robotics">AI, XR, digital twins set to transform robotics</a>: The availability of advanced sensors, artificial intelligence, digital twins, XR and robotics has changed technology-driven markets. We look at how the intersection of these technologies will create commercial opportunities.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366626251/AR-VR-headset-market-reaching-critical-tipping-point">AR/VR headset market reaching ‘critical tipping point’</a>: Research finds marked uptick in immersive technologies market with 18.1% year-on-year growth fuelled by immersive and versatile experiences, with future growth anticipated to be driven by mixed and extended reality.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/feature/The-many-ways-AI-can-empower-XR">The many ways AI can empower XR</a>: There is an almost ‘irresistible’ marriage between artificial intelligence and extended reality, yet while their combination will create benefits, there will also be some downsides.</li> </ul> </div> </div> <p><em>Martin Schwirn is the author of ‘</em>Small data, big disruptions: How to spot signals of change and manage uncertainty’<em> (ISBN 9781632651921). Schwirn has advised companies internationally for SRI International and Business Finland. He is a strategy and innovation consultant for Global 2000 companies.</em></p> </section> As extended reality advances, truly immersive environments will emerge to improve and enable an entire host of applications that benefit from sensory experiences https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/ComputerWeekly/Hero%20Images/AR-VR-team-headset-2-adobe.jpg https://www.computerweekly.com/feature/Multisensory-experiences-drive-immersive-physical-environments Mon, 11 May 2026 06:45:00 GMT <p>The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said that artificial intelligence (AI)-powered cyber attacks could create a worldwide financial crisis.&nbsp;</p> <p>“AI-driven cyber risks could destabilise the financial system if not managed carefully,” the IMF warned, as AI cyber attacks risk disrupting payments, causing solvencies and straining liquidity.</p> <p>Financial systems’ dependence on shared cloud services made the threat of successful cyber attacks all the more worrying, senior IMF officials said in <a href="https://www.imf.org/en/blogs/articles/2026/05/07/financial-stability-risks-mount-as-artificial-intelligence-fuels-cyberattacks">a blog post</a>, and a single vulnerability could ripple out across many institutions.</p> <p>The warning follows Anthropic’s introduction of AI model Mythos, which sparked global concerns because of its potential to identify software vulnerabilities at scale.&nbsp;</p> <p>It’s not just the financial sector at risk. Financial services share “digital foundations” with energy, telecommunications and public sectors, all of which are threatened by the model’s rapidly evolving capacities. Using the same infrastructure means vulnerabilities can be exploited across many industries.</p> <p>The model could identify and exploit vulnerabilities “even when used by non-experts”, the IMF said.</p> <p>During a speech at Columbia University in April, Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/boes-bailey-sees-major-cybersecurity-risks-new-anthropic-model-2026-04-14/">warned that Anthropic’s latest model</a> might “crack the whole cyber risk world open”.</p> <p>Anthropic set up <a href="https://www.anthropic.com/glasswing">Project Glasswing</a> to give Mythos to 40 companies they deemed critical to protect – such as Nvidia, Apple, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft – rather than make it generally available.</p> <p>Anthropic’s CEO, Dario Amodei, <a href="https://www.anthropic.com/news/statement-department-of-war">said</a> the company also intended to work with government officials to defend the US and its allies from the dangers of AI.</p> <p>The US company <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366641763/Bank-cyber-teams-on-red-alert-as-Anthropic-promises-them-Mythos-next-week">gave British banks access</a> to the model at the end of April, and financial regulators <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366641563/UK-financial-regulators-rush-to-assess-risks-of-Anthropic-AI-model">rushed to assess its risks</a>.&nbsp;</p> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="Cross-border risk"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>Cross-border risk</h2> <p>But the IMF warned that “cyber risk does not respect borders”, and that emerging economies are disproportionately exposed to attacks that could topple international services. It called for international collaboration and stronger regulation.</p> <p>Last month, Britain’s AI Security Institute published <a href="https://www.aisi.gov.uk/blog/our-evaluation-of-claude-mythos-previews-cyber-capabilities">an independent report</a> on Mythos’s capacities. Despite finding the AI to be a powerful tool for cyber risk detection, it claimed the biggest cause for concern is that “more models with these capabilities will be developed”.</p> <p>“Future frontier models will be more capable still, so investment now in cyber defence is vital,” the researchers wrote.</p> <p>As AI models become more powerful, experts are urging companies to develop their cyber defence, and using Mythos to identify issues.</p> <p>But if Mythos is to be useful, IMF said institutions must focus on “integration, governance and human oversight”, as well as building “business continuity and disaster recovery, cyber and quality assurance programmes, and good cyber hygiene practices”.</p> <p>“Without robust cyber resilience strategies and real-time visibility, the finance sector risks sleepwalking into deeper vulnerabilities,” said Andy Ward, international senior vice-president at Absolute Security, a cyber resilience platform.</p> <p>“Attackers are already leveraging AI to accelerate and scale threats, which can lead to major consequences for businesses,” he added. “Cyber defences must evolve with equal urgency, or risk being left dangerously exposed.”</p> <div class="pro-features-wrapper"></div> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Read more about Mythos</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li>UK financial regulators <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366641563/UK-financial-regulators-rush-to-assess-risks-of-Anthropic-AI-model">rush to assess risks of Anthropic AI model</a>.</li> <li>How Mythos <a href="https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/video/Claude-Mythos-changes-the-AI-security-threat-matrix?_gl=1*19d54zy*_ga*OTQyODg3MjI5LjE3NzY2OTQ4NTc.*_ga_TQKE4GS5P9*czE3NzgyNTM1MzgkbzIzJGcxJHQxNzc4MjUzNjI1JGo1NyRsMCRoMA..">changes the AI security threat matrix</a>.</li> <li>What happens when <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366641789/A-tsunami-of-flaws-When-frontier-AI-and-Patch-Tuesday-collide">frontier AI and patch Tuesday collide</a>.</li> <li>Why <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/opinion/Anthropics-Mythos-raises-the-stakes-for-security-validation">security validation will be crucial</a> in preparing for Mythos.&nbsp;</li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> The IMF calls for stronger policy and international cooperation in the face of Mythos and artificial intelligence-powered cyber risks https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/ComputerWeekly/HeroImages/finance-stockmarket-predictions-iamchamp-adobe.jpg https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366642863/AI-cyber-attack-threatens-global-financial-crisis-warns-International-Monetary-Fund Mon, 11 May 2026 04:45:00 GMT <p>In the existing state, identity is human-centric. Today’s <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/resources/Identity-and-access-management-products" target="_blank" rel="noopener">identity and access management</a> (IAM) systems were designed for a world dominated by human users and static applications. Identities are provisioned, authenticated, and authorised using models such as role-based access control (RBAC) and multifactor authentication (MFA), with decisions made at login time. Even with <a href="https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/definition/zero-trust-model-zero-trust-network" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the evolution toward zero-trust</a>, the core assumption remains largely unchanged: identities are known, bounded, and relatively stable.</p> <p>However, <a href="https://www.techtarget.com/searchenterpriseai/definition/AI-agents" target="_blank" rel="noopener">agentic AI systems</a> break these assumptions. The transition to agentic systems has fundamentally altered the security landscape. We are no longer just securing "users"; we are securing a massive, autonomous web of <a href="https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/definition/What-is-machine-identity-management" target="_blank" rel="noopener">non-human identities</a> (NHIs) that move at machine speed. Autonomous agents dynamically invoke tools, access APIs, generate sub-agents, and operate across multiple domains without direct human intervention. These agents often use shared credentials, ephemeral tokens, or implicit trust boundaries, leading to identity ambiguity, weak attribution, and expanded attack surfaces. In short, the current IAM stack is misaligned with the fluid, autonomous nature of AI agents.</p> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="The need for a new identity stack"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>The need for a new identity stack</h2> <p>The rise of agentic AI systems introduces a new class of identities, autonomous, non-human actors such as AI agents, bots, and services, that operate independently, dynamically, and at scale. Unlike human identities, these entities can be created on demand, delegate tasks to other agents, and interact across multiple systems without direct oversight, posing challenges for attribution, control, and trust. For example, agents move faster than human oversight, and the ‘kill switch’ has moved from a button to an autonomous circuit breaker. Traditional identity models, built around static users and roles, are insufficient to govern this fluid ecosystem. As a result, there is a critical need for an evolved identity framework that can uniquely identify these actors, track their provenance, enforce fine-grained and contextual access, and continuously validate their behavior to ensure secure and accountable operations.</p> </section> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="A look into the modern identity stack for agentic systems"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>A look into the modern identity stack for agentic systems</h2> <ul class="default-list"> <li><i>Agent identity and provenance:</i> Every AI agent must have a unique, verifiable identity tied to its origin, whether created by a human, system, or another agent. Provenance ensures traceability, enabling organizations to understand who initiated an action and under what authority. This establishes accountability and prevents anonymous or rogue agent behavior.<br><br></li> <li><i>Ephemeral credentialing:</i> Instead of long-lived credentials, agents should use short-lived, task-specific tokens that are automatically issued and revoked. This minimizes exposure in case of compromise and aligns access strictly with the duration and scope of a task. It enforces the <a href="https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/tip/Benefits-and-challenges-of-zero-standing-privileges" target="_blank" rel="noopener">zero-standing privilege</a> (ZSP) principle.<br><br></li> <li><i>Contextual Authorisation:</i> Access decisions should be dynamic and based on real-time context, such as behavior, environment, and risk signals. Rather than static roles, permissions adapt continuously to the agent's actions and location, ensuring tighter, more relevant control.<br><br></li> <li><i>Delegation and chain of trust:</i> Agentic systems often involve multiple layers of delegation covering user communication to agent and agent communication with tools. A clear and enforceable chain of trust is required to track authority and limit how far and wide permissions can propagate, thereby preventing privilege escalation.<br><br></li> <li><i>Identity threat detection and response (ITDR):</i> Systems must continuously monitor agent actions, reassess risk, and adjust permissions in real time. For example, continuous verification now monitors <a href="https://medium.com/@ema.ilic9/know-when-to-stop-77e03a4517df" target="_blank" rel="noopener">semantic drift</a>, in which an agent’s actions gradually deviate from its original intent or authorised purpose. It helps detect subtle misuse, compromised workflows, or manipulated prompts that may not trigger traditional security alerts.&nbsp; <br><br></li> <li><i>Observability and attribution:</i> A robust audit trail is essential for capturing who performed which action, through which agent, and with which tools. This level of visibility ensures accountability, supports incident response, and builds trust in autonomous systems by making their actions transparent and explainable.</li> </ul> </section> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="Identity as a real-time control plane in agentic systems"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>Identity as a real-time control plane in agentic systems</h2> <p>Identity will evolve into a real-time control plane for agentic systems, not just an access gateway. Key shifts will include:</p> <ul class="default-list"> <li>Identity becomes behavioural as trust is continuously scored rather than statically assigned.</li> <li>Agents become first-class principals, managed, governed, and audited like human users.</li> <li>Policies must be adaptive as AI-driven policies evolve alongside threats and usage patterns.</li> <li>Zero-trust becomes zero-standing privilege, in which access exists only for the duration of a verified task.</li> <li>Identity integrates with execution frameworks as every tool call is authenticated, authorised, and logged.</li> </ul> </section> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="Inference"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>Inference</h2> <p>The rise of agentic AI systems demands a fundamental rethink of identity. Static credentials and perimeter-based trust models are no longer sufficient. Agent identity management needs a shift from RBAC to ABAC. The new identity stack must be dynamic, contextual, and deeply integrated into the execution fabric of AI systems, ensuring that every action, whether initiated by a human or an autonomous agent, is verifiable, accountable, and secure by design.</p> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">The Computer Weekly Security Think Tank on AI identity</h3> <ul style="list-style-type: square;" class="default-list"> <li>Mike Gillespie, Advent IM:&nbsp;<a rel="noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.computerweekly.com/opinion/The-impact-of-AI-driven-ID-solutions-on-enterprise-environments">AI-driven identity must exist in a robust compliance framework</a>.</li> <li>Ellie Hurst. Advent IM:&nbsp;<a rel="noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.computerweekly.com/opinion/Identity-and-AI-Questions-of-data-security-trust-and-control">Identity and AI:&nbsp;Questions of data security, trust and control</a>.</li> <li>Ted Ernst, Gartner:&nbsp;<a rel="noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.computerweekly.com/opinion/Why-AI-is-forcing-a-reset-of-the-identity-stack">Why AI is forcing a reset of the identity stack</a>.</li> <li>Jacob Connell, Quorum Cyber: <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/opinion/Why-AI-agents-are-triggering-a-rethink-of-enterprise-identity" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Why AI agents are forcing a rethink of enterprise identity.</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> The Computer Weekly Security Think Tank considers the intersection of AI and IAM. In this article, explore the changing nature of the identity stack and learn what will change as identity evolves into a real-time control plane for agentic systems. https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/ComputerWeekly/Hero%20Images/Security-Think-Tank-hero.jpg https://www.computerweekly.com/opinion/A-new-frontier-Identity-stack-evolves-for-agentic-systems Fri, 08 May 2026 09:45:00 GMT <p>Virtual reality (VR) has already seen many commercial and industrial uses. Yet VR also can be one of the most powerful tools for storytelling, visualising ideas and enhancing narratives – most obviously in the arts and entertainment sphere, where VR brings enhanced capabilities and enables artists to indulge in experiments to try out new approaches.</p> <p>Other storytelling uses support societal causes, enable new judicial procedures, boost education and become emphatic conduits. Simply, VR can put storytelling in a higher gear.</p> <p>Showing how VR enables new storytelling avenues and approaches for artists and entertainers, artist Charlotte Mikkelborg noticed the transformative power VR could unleash for narratives when <a href="https://charlottemikkelborg.com/">she first tried on a VR headset in 2015</a>: “I realised that I didn’t have to just watch a scene, I could live it.”</p> <p>Since then, she has created an immersive concert for Coldplay; a multisensory narrative game; and <em>Adventure</em>, her series for Apple that portrays extreme athletes in VR.</p> <p>Meanwhile, artist Estella Tse “merges tech and visual storytelling into <a href="https://estellatse.com/">a new art form</a>”, adding: “The immersive nature of VR metaphorically and literally puts the viewer into a different world. The brain feels like it is transported to another place.” In contrast to Mikkelborg’s VR experiences, Tse’s stories resemble art installations rather than narratives.</p> <p>It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the annual Venice Film Festival features an<a href="https://www.labiennale.org/en/cinema/2025/venice-immersive"> entire section related to the emerging artform</a>. Venice Immersive “is entirely devoted to immersive media and includes all XR means of creative expression”. Eligible for submission are all immersive videos, VR, MR, AR and XR works of any length, including installations and virtual worlds. A review by the <em>Guardian</em> describes 2025’s selection as a “flourishing <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/sep/05/venice-film-festival-extended-reality-xr-immersive-storytelling-ancestors-blur">lineup of immersive storytelling experiments</a>, [which] are taking visitors into novels, nightclubs and outer space”.</p> <p>At the 82nd Venice Film Festival in August and September 2025, the island of Lazzaretto Vecchio featured a wide range of XR artwork that invited audience members to immerse themselves into stories rather than just looking onto them. For example, <em>The Time Before</em> is “a virtual reality journey through memory, imagination and dreams”, which steps into the main character’s mind to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oahwg3hyE0">explore the imaginary worlds</a> his sister builds to protect them from the anger of their father. The piece <em>1968</em> is “communal VR theatre that explores the transformative power of protest through illusions to 1968, which was a year <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPgr1nul4ro">charged by societal, political and cultural unrest</a>”.</p> <p>Venice Immersive Jury chair Eliza McNitt sees XR as “<a href="https://www.anothermag.com/design-living/16597/venice-immersive-2025-xr-festival-eliza-mcnitt">the beginning of a revolution</a> ... [artists can] push the boundaries of storytelling”.</p> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="Conveying societal causes"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>Conveying societal causes</h2> <p>The way VR can bring stories and narratives closer to an audience lends itself to highlight social and societal issues in more impactful ways than previously possible. Journalist Becca Warner outlined her experience with VR content created by South African Habitat XR. The company’s objective is to create “<a href="https://www.habitatxr.com/">immersive nature storytelling</a> that drives public engagement, education, fundraising and conservation outcomes.”</p> <p>Warner watched <em>A Predicament of Pangolins</em>, an immersive story featuring two wild pangolins in the Kalahari Desert who are facing the challenges of climate change. The anthropomorphised animals are created “for maximum empathy and cognitive connection to the present reality of climate change”. Warner highlights VR’s impact: “A virtual reality pangolin made me cry and care more about the planet: is this the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250306-the-future-of-conservation-might-be-in-vr-headsets">real power of VR headsets?</a>”</p> <p>Exploring how humans live with nature is a common theme. <a href="https://wildimmersion.io/">French company Wild Immersion</a> is “dedicated to raising awareness of environmental issues through 360° films, VR experiences, AR journeys, wildlife encyclopaedias and interactive drawings”. And the British artist collective <a href="https://marshmallowlaserfeast.com/">Marshmallow Laser Feast</a> is using stories in immersive experiences and XR that are “designed to carve out space to expose, explore and expand our relationship with the living world”.</p> <p>The UK’s Natural History Museum uses VR headsets to look a century into the future to <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/visions-of-nature.html">visualise humans’ impact on nature</a>. The showcase’s main takeaway is that “the actions we take today will help build a better tomorrow.”</p> <p>Alex Burch, director of public programmes at the museum, explains that the immersive story shows “the aftermath of centuries of human industrial activity as well as to the interventions we have introduced to remedy our unsustainable activity”.</p> <p>New York artist Sam Wolson <a href="https://www.samwolson.com/">uses VR</a> to tell political narratives. For instance, <em>Re-educated</em> puts viewers into a Chinese re-education camp to convey the experience of prisoners, with first-hand testimony informing the animation. And <em>No Place at Home</em> follows a mother and her transgender teenager on their search for gender-affirming care, combining photorealistic three-dimensional imagery.</p> <p>Wolson explains where VR can improve storytelling: “With virtual reality and interactive visual features, it comes down to whether a story is suited to multimedia or nonlinear narratives, in which the viewer can be placed directly into a story with the freedom to move around.”</p> </section> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="Recovering memories, creating experiences"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>Recovering memories, creating experiences</h2> <p>A less-known and emerging use of VR is visualising memories to resurrect past experiences. For instance, in December 2024, judge Andrew Siegel of Florida’s Broward County Circuit Court used a <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/larsdaniel/2025/01/06/historic-first-judge-dons-oculus-vr-headset-to-experience-crime">VR headset to a recreate the imagery</a> of an aggravated assault. The defence hired an expert to visualise the defendant’s perspective in a stand-your ground trial. <a href="https://dl.acm.org/doi/epdf/10.1145/3411764.3445464"></a></p> <div class="pro-features-wrapper"></div> <p><a href="https://dl.acm.org/doi/epdf/10.1145/3411764.3445464">Previous research at the University of South Australia</a> indicated that test subjects showed improvements in spatial recall, “remembering the correct placement of evidence items”, and some aspects of narrative recall when using VR in comparison to the use of still imagery.</p> <p>The approach offers benefits when crime-site visits are difficult or dangerous, contextual information plays an important role, or interactions among individuals are complicated to follow. Louisiana Fifth Circuit Court judge Scott Schlegel, who investigates new technologies for legal applications, points to a potential drawback. Virtual reality recreations “may powerfully convey emotions and perspective; it may be less reliable for <a href="https://judgeschlegel.substack.com/p/from-foam-board-to-virtual-reality">conveying specific factual details</a> that are crucial in legal proceedings.” In other words, emotions might cloud or even bias factual judgement.</p> <p>Other applications for recreating memories exist. Researcher Rob Martin at South Carolina’s Clemson University employs VR so that hospice patients can have an experience they always wanted to have. After taking a survey of local patients, he found that most wanted to experience one more Clemson football game. With <a href="https://news.clemson.edu/one-last-game-students-build-virtual-reality-experience-for-hospice-patients">the help of the Clemson’s Tandem VR team</a>, Martin created such a visualisation.</p> <p>Tandem VR is a part of Clemson’s Virtual Reality and Nature Lab. The lab’s director Olivia McAnirlin developed a concept that allows users to share a VR experience “in tandem”. The “experiences are synchronised (simultaneous) so they can fully enjoy them together, personalised to their preferences based on their experiences, dreams or memories”.</p> </section> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="Informing education"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>Informing education</h2> <p>Storytelling is set to play a bigger role in tomorrow’s teaching and learning, and XR can transform education though new ways to bring stories alive. Eli Joseph at Columbia University School in New York believes that the merging of literature and technology “<a href="https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/03/xr-technology-could-revolutionise-storytelling">transforms storytelling from a linear into an interactive experience</a> in which the reader’s choices can influence the narrative”.</p> <p>Joseph notes that readers can immerse themselves in stories by addressing multiple senses, and that multisensory environments for genuinely immersive experiences enables users to take a closer look at ways how XR can create layers of experiences. Joseph also believes that the technology can benefit text books – for instance, by visualising dissection of cells in biology class.</p> <p>VR not only can create narratives but also tell stories from the past. For example, the Illinois Holocaust Museum’s Experience360 is using VR to make history palpable. <a href="https://www.ilholocaustmuseum.org/experience360">The Chicago museum uses the technology</a> “to witness stories of survival, ask questions and reflect on the past in ways that inspire empathy, respect and hope”.</p> <p>Other institutions have taken note. The Centreville Regional Library in Fairfax, Virginia, partnered with the Illinois Holocaust Museum. Luis Aponte, an information services librarian who <a href="https://www.fairfaxtimes.com/articles/hear-the-stories-of-holocaust-survivors-through-virtual-reality/article_04157b0f-4684-4778-9efe-ca0c03fae557.html">brought the experience to Centreville,</a> praises “the Illinois Holocaust Museum’s dedication to preserving history in a way that transforms the future”.</p> </section> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="Eliciting empathy"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>Eliciting empathy</h2> <p>Educational use of VR can deepen the experience by eliciting empathy for history’s protagonists and witnesses. In a study by Stanford University, researchers looked at <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-21098-z">the effect VR can have to “reduce psychological distance to locations</a> affected by climate change, influencing climate emotions and risk perceptions”.</p> <p>One group of test subjects were only listening to news broadcasts about flooding in selected locations due to climate change while other participants were virtually flying through a three-dimensional representation of the floodings. Participants that experienced the virtualisation became concerned about climate change.</p> <p>“<a href="https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2025/10/virtual-reality-climate-change-communities-research">Utilising VR for climate education</a> can enhance awareness and inspire constructive actions, moving beyond traditional fear-driven narratives,” said the study.</p> <p>VR can also elevate emotional participation. In 2015, musician Björk released the album&nbsp;<em>Vulnicura</em>, which deals with her emotional breakup of a long-time relationship. She recently worked with Pulse Jet Studios <a href="https://www.pulsejetstudios.com/">to create a VR visualisation of the songs</a>. Björk explained her motivation: “I realised that I’d written a whole heartbreak album ... what most people were complaining about with VR is it was very isolating.”</p> <p><a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/09/23/nx-s1-5543338/bjork-vr-vulnicura-remastered">The VR journey</a> starts in an austere landscape of Iceland, where Björk hails from. Users then can thread together Björk’s broken heart. Her initial VR art was released shortly after the album’s release, but over time she frequently updated the storytelling as VR become more powerful and capable, resulting in the most recent 2025 version.</p> <p>And this takes the conversation back to arts and entertainment. VR’s impact on storytelling can affect many applications areas across industries, sometimes in surprising ways. Over time immersive capabilities will become an expectation rather than a surprise when experiencing stories and narratives across various types of content.</p> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Read more about immersive technologies</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/feature/Expanding-sensory-experiences-in-virtual-environments">Expanding sensory experiences in virtual environments</a>: Augmented, virtual and extended realities are all trying to allow users to interact with virtual information in ways we are used to in real life.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/feature/AI-XR-digital-twins-set-to-transform-robotics">AI, XR, digital twins set to transform robotics</a>: The availability of advanced sensors, artificial intelligence, digital twins, XR and robotics has changed technology-driven markets. We look at how the intersection of these technologies will create commercial opportunities.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366626251/AR-VR-headset-market-reaching-critical-tipping-point">AR/VR headset market reaching ‘critical tipping point’</a>: Research finds marked uptick in immersive technologies market with 18.1% year-on-year growth fuelled by immersive and versatile experiences, with future growth anticipated to be driven by mixed and extended reality.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/feature/The-many-ways-AI-can-empower-XR">The many ways AI can empower XR</a>: There is an almost ‘irresistible’ marriage between artificial intelligence and extended reality, yet while their combination will create benefits, there will also be some downsides.</li> </ul> </div> </div> <p><em>Martin Schwirn is the author of ‘Small data, big disruptions: How to spot signals of change and manage uncertainty’ (ISBN 9781632651921). Schwirn has advised companies internationally for SRI International and Business Finland. He is a strategy and innovation consultant for Global 2000 companies.</em></p> </section> Storytelling will play a bigger role in tomorrow’s society – whether through teaching and learning, arts and entertainment, or health – with virtual reality technology seeking to transform experiences by bringing stories alive https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/ComputerWeekly/Hero%20Images/Ericsson-5G-VR-AR-PR-hero.jpg https://www.computerweekly.com/feature/Immersive-narratives-how-VR-transforms-industries-through-storytelling Fri, 08 May 2026 06:51:00 GMT <p>Europe’s mobile networks risk falling further behind the world’s digital leaders unless investment conditions change quickly through targeted government campaigns, warns a GSMA study, which found the region’s operators are investing significantly less per connection than global peers, despite rising data usage and growing demands from artificial intelligence (AI), transport and industry.</p> <p>Furthermore, the <a title="https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/o3l-CDkY05iMXZ5RjsWfrUjvALg?domain=urldefense.com" href="https://www.gsma.com/about-us/regions/europe/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Mobile-Investment-Needs-in-Europe-GSMA.pdf"><i>Mobile investment needs in Europe</i></a> report from the global mobile trade association calculated that investment of as much as €475bn was required over the next decade to complete Europe’s 5G journey and regain digital leadership, but a €205bn funding gap is currently leaving critical infrastructure, innovation and resilience at risk.</p> <p>The report was conducted by the investment arm of the trade body and is said to have come as Europe’s digital capabilities continue to lag behind leading global standards. It noted that while <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366639259/Global-5G-standalone-dynamic-shifts-from-coverage-to-capability">5G standalone</a> (5G SA) – essentially what it described as “full” 5G, with faster speeds, lower latency, and innovative services and features deriving from <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366639478/Nokia-AWS-demo-agentic-AI-network-slicing-with-du-Orange">network slicing</a> – is already available to 80% of the population in Greater China and almost 50% in India, in Europe, it reaches only 2% of citizens.</p> <p>Much of the lag described by the GSMA is attributed to the more favourable investment conditions in these non-European markets. Indeed, the study discovered that capital expenditure (capex) per connection in Europe is just €35, compared with €70 for global connectivity leaders. The stark net result, stressed the GSMA, was that the European bloc remained unable to keep pace and compete.&nbsp;</p> <p>And while mobile internet usage has increased every year since 2018 by an average of 27%, operator revenues were found to have fallen by an average of 3% per year over the same period, further restricting available investment capital. The GSMA also highlighted how the financial burden currently sits with the industry itself, with operators themselves putting up 85% of the investment into network infrastructure, <a href="https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/connectivity-for-good/public-policy/gsma_resources/mobile-infrastructure-investment-landscape/">according to other data from its intelligence arm</a>.</p> <p>The GSMA also regarded the new analysis as a timely update on the <a href="https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/investment-and-funding-needs-digital-decade-connectivity-targets">European Commission’s 2023 research</a> into the likely cost of achieving the <a href="https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/europes-digital-decade">Digital Decade</a> targets. This estimated that around €174bn, rising to more than €200bn, of digital investment was needed by 2030.</p> <p>However, the GSMA warned that the operators have already invested €141bn since 2021 and Europe has not yet met those targets, while trailing further behind global 5G leaders. The report finds that of the current €475bn investment need to 2035, only 57% is currently forecast to materialise.</p> <p>Of the aforementioned €205bn, the 43% deficit, around half was seen as needed to provide 5G coverage across Europe’s main transport routes such as road, rail and waterways. A further €35bn was seen to be required to extend 5G coverage to the entire European population, while €38bn was seen as appropriate to build greater network resilience and €28bn to underpin AI-based services and innovation.</p> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="What can be done to close the investment gap?"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>What can be done to close the investment gap?</h2> <p>Looking at how the industry would close the gap and create the required investment conditions to unlock the remaining 43%, the report outlined three areas of major potential regulatory reform: in-market consolidation, effective spectrum management and addressing asymmetrical regulation.</p> <p>Regarding the former, the study observed that since 2015, <a href="https://www.gsma.com/about-us/regions/europe/news/competition-dynamics-in-mobile-markets-in-europe/">three-player markets in Europe have experienced higher investment levels</a> as a proportion of revenues and per connection relative to four-player markets, while also improving service quality by comparison.</p> <blockquote class="main-article-pullquote"> <div class="main-article-pullquote-inner"> <figure> Europe needs a significantly more pro-investment regulatory environment to secure the continent’s digital future and enhance global competitiveness </figure> <figcaption> <strong>Vivek Badrinath, GSMA</strong> </figcaption> <i class="icon" data-icon="z"></i> </div> </blockquote> <p>In addition, the GSMA observed that spectrum costs in Europe have almost tripled over the past decade and <a href="https://www.gsma.com/connectivity-for-good/spectrum/gsma_resources/spectrum-pricing-and-renewals-in-europe/">applying measures such as&nbsp;low-cost renewals could free up to €30bn in capital</a>, with more than 500 licences due for renewal by 2035. The GSMA believes that long-term certainty offered by indefinite licences, such as those proposed in the European Union’s draft Digital Networks Act, would also lead to improved investment incentives.</p> <p>The association also remarked that a range of current regulations, including around open internet access and net neutrality, the Cyber Resilience Act, and the European Electronic Communications Code, could impose additional costs and reduce revenue growth opportunities.</p> <p>It suggested that a more balanced relationship between mobile operators and other players in the digital ecosystem could encourage investment in networks, and ultimately drive industry and innovation.</p> <p>Ultimately, the GSMA said that realigning Europe’s investment environment through these policy reforms would allow the region’s capex per connection to potentially double over the coming decade and reach similar levels to those in North America and East Asia. This, in turn, could help deliver the real user and market benefits of 5G SA and <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366639874/Qualcomm-plots-out-6G-Wi-Fi-8-future-with-AI-as-the-new-user-interface">ultimately 6G connectivity</a>, and underpin Europe’s economy, resilience and innovation in the digital age.</p> <p>“The numbers are clear: to support Europe’s digital ambitions and expectations, almost €0.5tn in investment into mobile networks is needed over the next 10 years, and only around half of that is currently likely to come through. Europe needs a significantly more pro-investment regulatory environment to secure the continent’s digital future and enhance global competitiveness,” said GSMA director general Vivek Badrinath.</p> <p>“There are encouraging opportunities for policymakers, both in the ongoing <a href="https://competition-policy.ec.europa.eu/mergers/review-merger-guidelines_en">review of the Merger Guidelines</a>&nbsp;and in delivering on the promise of the Digital Networks Act proposals, correcting for its known shortcomings without watering down its more ambitious aspects. Inaction now is not an option with Europe’s digital future on the line.”</p> <div class="pro-features-wrapper"></div> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Read more about 5G in Europe</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366627194/UK-among-worst-performers-in-Europe-for-fundamental-5G-metrics">UK among&nbsp;worst performers in Europe&nbsp;for fundamental 5G metrics</a>: Study from mobile network testing firm uncovers gaps in UK 5G performance compared with European leaders, with ‘significant’ disparity between theoretical population coverage and the daily reality for millions.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366619530/Europe-severely-lags-other-major-regions-in-5G-standalone">Europe ‘severely’ lags other major regions in 5G standalone</a>: Research from network intelligence company shows interplay of earlier deployments, more diversified multi-band spectrum and greater willingness to invest in new use cases have driven 5G SA roll-outs at a faster rate.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366639110/Telefonica-activates-commercial-Edge-services-in-Spain">Telefónica activates commercial Edge services in Spain</a>: As part of its Edge Plan in Europe, Spain-based global telco begins marketing business-to-business services in five of the 17 nodes planned for this year supported by FTTH, 5G network and Open Gateway APIs.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366627652/European-5G-landscape-on-a-rollercoaster">European 5G landscape ‘on a rollercoaster’</a>: Research finds impact of spectrum availability across Europe, leading to disparity of 5G download speeds with increases in the use of the 3.5GHz spectrum strongly correlating with faster 5G downloads.</li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> The global mobile association calls on targeted regulatory reform from European governments to close the 5G funding gap by focusing on consolidation and smarter spectrum policy https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/ComputerWeekly/HeroImages/T-Mobile-5G-Advanced-mast-PR-hero.jpg https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366642836/GSMA-205bn-funding-gap-leaving-Europes-critical-infrastructure-at-risk Fri, 08 May 2026 06:25:00 GMT <p>Noting that, for decades, networking ran in the background, but is now a true central nervous system that determines how fast businesses can move, how much they spend and, perhaps crucially right now, whether AI investments produce value, infrastructure firm Lumen Technologies is to acquire cloud-native, carrier-agnostic networking platform Alkira.</p> <p>Alkira serves enterprise customers across financial services, technology, retail, healthcare and manufacturing sectors globally. The proposed $475m all-cash transaction – expected to close in the third quarter of 2026 – is designed to pair Alkira’s hybrid and multicloud native control plane with Lumen’s fibre network, advancing the latter’s digital platform strategy to deliver cloud-like consumption for global enterprise networking.</p> <p>On closing the transaction, Lumen plans to begin offering Alkira’s core connectivity services to its enterprise base, with deeper platform integration to follow. For Alkira, the combination with Lumen will pair its cloud-native orchestration with a high-bandwidth, low-latency fibre network, including private networks, significantly extending its reach and performance. Lumen’s commercial engine and global customer base will also provide a scaled distribution path.</p> <p>The underlying rationale for the acquisition is said to be the programmable network imperative in how AI is reshaping how enterprises operate and how their networks must perform. Lumen noted that <a href="https://www.lumen.com/blog/en-us/kate-johnson-programmable-network">more than half of current internet traffic is automated traffic generated by software systems rather than human users</a>. That means networks have to be big enough, fast enough, intelligent enough and secure enough to keep up.</p> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="A new category of enterprise networking"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>A new category of enterprise networking</h2> <p>Yet, said Lumen, many enterprise networks remain static, manually configured and fragmented across providers. To alleviate this issue, it said it is working to define a new category of enterprise networking – one built on world-class physical infrastructure, a programmable network and a connected ecosystem of clouds, applications and partners.&nbsp;</p> <p>Lumen regards the acquisition as a way to accelerate its vision of a programmable network with a single control plane that orchestrates connectivity beyond its network across datacentres, multiple clouds, partner ecosystems and on-premise environments.</p> <p>Combined with Lumen’s core assets, the acquisition is seen as able to deliver strategic value through fronts such as platform acceleration, expanded addressable market, international reach, deeper partner integration and “world-class” talent.</p> <p>Once acquired and integrated, the Alkira product will unify Lumen’s on-net and off-net services, cloud on-ramps and multicloud gateway into a single programmable platform. Lumen believes this will advance its roadmap by several years and substantially complete its digital architecture.</p> <p>Lumen’s network-as-a-service (NaaS) business is currently concentrated in premises-to-cloud (north-south) connectivity. The acquisition is also seen as accelerating Lumen’s move into cloud-to-cloud and datacentre-interconnect (east-west) connectivity – the fastest growing segment of enterprise networking. Lumen estimates Alkira’s global footprint and cloud-native capabilities will bring its total addressable market to approximately $70bn.</p> <p>Another key facet is AI-ready agility. That is, networks can be activated and modified on demand, with capacity that scales up or down as workloads shift, so customers pay only for what they use. This is said to deliver the <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366641133/AI-driven-operating-model-key-to-cloud-native-autonomous-networks">performance, resilience and security AI workloads require</a>, turning network changes from multi-month projects into real-time actions.</p> <p>Commenting on the deal, Alkira CEO Amir Khan said: “We built Alkira on a single conviction: enterprise networking had to be reinvented for the cloud and AI era – programmable, on-demand, consumed, not built. By joining Lumen, we will pair our cloud-native orchestration with one of the world’s most expansive fibre networks and a proven commercial engine, setting a new standard for how enterprises build and run networks in a multicloud and AI world.”</p> <div class="pro-features-wrapper"></div> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Read more about AI for networking</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366642566/Extreme-Connect-26-Agent-ONE-takes-forward-network-AI">Extreme Connect 26: Agent ONE takes forward network AI</a>: Network firm launches ‘smarter, faster, autonomous’ approach to enterprise networking, with its operating model moving from assistive AI to autonomous, always-on operations.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366641094/Marvell-scales-up-networking-to-extend-Nvidia-AI-ecosystem">Marvell scales up networking to extend Nvidia AI ecosystem</a>: AI GPU leader sees extension of AI infrastructure through collaboration with infrastructure technology to deliver more choice and flexibility for customers with fully compatible systems.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366641242/Cisco-network-readiness-a-determining-factor-for-AI-success">Network readiness a determining factor for AI success</a>: Report reveals how&nbsp;firms are harnessing AI to drive progress and overcome industry challenges, with most expecting ‘significant’ increases in connectivity and reliability demands.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366641460/Optical-networks-to-bridge-the-AI-compute-consumption-gap">Optical networks to bridge the AI compute-consumption gap</a>: With AI spurring gigawatt-scale datacentre builds across APAC, Ciena is deploying ultra-fast, energy-efficient optical networking and AI-driven automation to ensure AI services can reach consumers.</li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> Acquisition to see physical infrastructure and programmable network united with cloud-native control plane to deliver a single, digital connectivity platform with cloud-to-cloud and datacentre-interconnect https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/ComputerWeekly/Hero%20Images/fibre-broadband-FTTP-abstract-adobe.jpeg https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366642684/Alkira-acquisition-gives-Lumen-cloud-connectivity-control-plane Fri, 08 May 2026 05:50:00 GMT <p>As it furthers its journey into providing critical infrastructure throughout the UK, business connectivity provider <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/search">Neos Networks</a> has teamed with mobile infrastructure services firm Cornerstone to provide connectivity services to UK “microscaler” StonesThro to support distributed sovereign edge cloud infrastructure.</p> <p>Seeking to establish a difference between <a href="https://www.stonesthro.co.uk/">StonesThro</a> and hyperscalers that centralise infrastructure in major datacentres, <a href="https://neosnetworks.com/">Neos</a> noted that microscalers distribute cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) compute power to localised sites.</p> <p>By connecting these regional hubs into&nbsp;its national, business‑dedicated network, Neos assured that StonesThro and <a href="https://www.cornerstone.network/">Cornerstone</a> could serve users in key urban and industrial areas. The planned deployments will also use Cornerstone’s national infrastructure footprint, enabling distributed cloud nodes to be deployed at scale.</p> <p>The partners believe that such a distributed model is already unlocking new capabilities for sectors where proximity is important for functionality, ranging from autonomous vehicles and large enterprises to local authorities and high-security sovereign software providers. Additionally, they say that for critical national infrastructure (CNI) customers handling sensitive data, the UK sovereign model offers an alternative to international cloud providers.</p> <p>In 2025, in partnership with Network Rail, Neos Networks announced <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366634755/First-fibre-laid-under-Project-Reach-UK-digital-backbone">Project Reach, claimed to be the biggest core fibre network deployment</a> in decades. Neos’ UK-wide network will support Cornerstone and StonesThro in delivering secure connectivity to CNI operators, such as those in the rail industry, which often require domestic infrastructure.</p> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="Supporting UK digital ambitions"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>Supporting UK digital ambitions</h2> <p>In what the firms believe will be another key advantage, they stressed how they are supporting the UK government’s AI and datacentre ambitions through an alternative infrastructure model. Rather than concentrating compute power in large southern datacentres, they believe that StonesThro’s distributed approach moves AI capabilities closer to where they’re needed and closer to where power is generated, addressing both the <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366640935/Data-dive-Government-2030-datacentre-capacity-targets-look-shaky">UK’s datacentre capacity shortage</a> and grid transmission challenges.</p> <p>“Our national footprint is the ideal backbone for Cornerstone and StonesThro’s edge AI cloud,” commented Neos Networks CEO Lee Myall. “Through our high-capacity connectivity, we are providing the UK-wide sovereign coverage, optionality and technical resilience required for high-security projects. We are proud to power the infrastructure that will enable the next generation of real-time applications and critical national services.</p> <p>“Working with Neos Networks and Cornerstone allows us to develop and scale sovereign edge AI infrastructure with national reach,” added StonesThro chief information security officer Andy Bates. “Its position as the UK’s largest B2B connectivity provider, alongside its access to the rail network through Project Reach, makes it the ideal collaborator to help us deliver a local solution for local people.”</p> <p>Specifically designed to end the worst signal blackspots on the major rail arteries of Britain and no less than rewire the UK for the next decade of digital growth, Project Reach’s nationwide roll-out will see at least 1,000km of high-grade fibre laid alongside Britain’s railways. By using the rail network as a national corridor for new fibre, Neos stated that it was taking advantage of the most direct, secure and future-proof routes available.</p> <p>The infrastructure will support everything from rail operations and transport digitisation to the surging demand created by AI, cloud and datacentre expansion. Structurally, the project brings together public and private sector investment and infrastructure, and its developers claim they will be able to save taxpayers around £300m while delivering substantial benefits to rail users.</p> <p>The scheme also aims to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366626732/UK-rail-network-gets-on-track-for-enhanced-connectivity">create a high-performing digital connectivity backbone</a>&nbsp;for businesses, providing connectivity to datacentres and high-performance edge facilities, supporting the UK’s digital ambitions and driving innovation.</p> <div class="pro-features-wrapper"></div> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Read more about UK critical network infrastructure</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366640692/Zayo-provides-critical-connectivity-infrastructure-for-AI-cloud-datacentres">Zayo provides critical connectivity infrastructure for AI, cloud datacentres</a>: Enterprise network provider deploys connectivity infrastructure to one of the UK’s largest AI cloud datacentre campuses to support up to 720 MW of AI-ready infrastructure.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366639976/Render-Networks-unveils-synchronised-agentic-critical-infrastructure-architecture">Render Networks unveils synchronised agentic critical infrastructure</a>: Critical infrastructure execution and intelligence software provider unveils agentic AI architecture designed for dynamic, scalable execution at infrastructure operators and constructors.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366638864/Cisco-shapes-up-for-delivery-of-critical-infrastructure-in-the-AI-era">Cisco shapes up for delivery of critical infrastructure in the AI era</a>: Annual European expo reveals what IT and networking behemoth claims will be a leap forward in AI adoption, with new products encompassing switches, optics, agentic operations and SASE.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366632062/3bn-opportunity-in-digital-network-upgrade-of-UK-critical-infrastructure">£3bn opportunity in digital network upgrade of UK critical infrastructure</a>: Study from BT highlights multibillion-pound net benefit that could be unlocked by upgrading critical services to digital platform.</li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> Strategic collaboration designed to enable distributed microscale AI compute with national, resilient connectivity for critical sectors https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/ComputerWeekly/Hero%20Images/Neos-Networks-Ethernet-hero.jpg https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366642748/Neos-Networks-Cornerstone-StonesThro-power-UK-sovereign-edge-cloud Fri, 08 May 2026 05:18:00 GMT <p>Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have called for the expansion of Europol to be paused following disclosures that the police organisation ran a shadow IT system containing vast amounts of data without adequate security or data protection measures in place.</p> <p>An investigation by <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366642525/They-protect-the-law-while-breaking-it-Inside-Europols-shadow-IT-system">Computer Weekly</a>, <a href="https://correctiv.org/en/europe/2026/05/05/they-protect-the-law-while-breaking-it-inside-europols-shadow-it-system/">Correctiv</a> and <a href="https://wearesolomon.com/en/mag/focus-area/accountability/they-protect-the-law-while-breaking-it-inside-europols-shadow-it-system/">Solomon</a> revealed that Europol stored petabytes of crime-related data on a network that operated for years without scrutiny from regulators, despite significant privacy and security flaws.</p> <p>Europol’s “shadow” databases were used to analyse vast volumes of sensitive data, such as telephone records, identity documents, banking information or geolocation data and included data relating to individuals not suspected of any crime. They also included a shadow system known as the Pressure Cooker, used for analysing open-source information on the internet, that lacked proper controls.</p> <p>Despite several years of monitoring by the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS), some major flaws remained unaddressed in 2026.</p> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="Call for Parliamentary oversight"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>Call for Parliamentary oversight</h2> <p><a title="Özlem Alev Demirel | Home page" href="https://oezlem-alev-demirel.de/">Özlem Alev Demirel</a>, German MEP for the Left group, issued a <a href="https://oezlem-alev-demirel.de/2026/05/europols-datenmissbrauch-stellt-existenzrecht-der-behoerde-in-frag/">statement</a> calling for plans to expand Europol’s mandate to be put on hold.</p> <p>“This latest data protection scandal violates every legal standard, disregards the fundamental rights of those affected and renders oversight mechanisms absurd,” she wrote.</p> <p>German <a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/96932/BIRGIT_SIPPEL/home">MEP Brigit Sippel</a> told this investigation that the fact that the data of innocent people was stored and analysed without any traceable record of who accessed it or altered the entries undermined confidence in the reliability of evidence and the rule of law.</p> <p>“Before we begin discussing a potential expansion of Europol’s mandate, there needs to be genuine Parliamentary oversight, independent supervision with real powers of intervention, and full disclosure and transparency regarding matters that have remained hidden until now,” she added.</p> </section> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="Home Office urged to answer questions"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>Home Office urged to answer questions</h2> <p>In the UK, conservative MP David Davis called <a href="https://x.com/DavidDavisMP/status/2052387489474568632">in a post on X (<em>formerly Twitter</em>)</a> for the Home Office to answer questions about Europol’s storage of data on British citizens.</p> <div class="pro-features-wrapper"></div> <p>“The Home Office must now say whether any personal data of entirely innocent British citizens is being stored in Europol’s systems and, if so, why it is being stored and why the UK government is allowing it to be stored,” he added.</p> </section> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="Confidence in evidence may be affected"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>Confidence in evidence may be affected</h2> <p>Speaking at a meeting of the European Parliament’s committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs <a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/en/libe/about">(Libe</a>) on Thursday, <a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/96932/BIRGIT_SIPPEL/home">MEP Birgit Sippel</a> said that revelations could undermine confidence in Europol.</p> <p>“I think the mere fact that a European agency has operated a parallel data system without any control raises concern, not only regarding data protection, but also on the way of working of agencies, and could affect even the confidence and reliability of agencies and the evidence,” she added.</p> <p>EDPS Wojciech Wiewiórowski told the Libe meeting that this investigation raised new points and accusations that the EDPS would definitely be following. He confirmed that some of the EDPS enforcement decisions – such as its admonishment of Europol in 2020 and a <a href="https://www.edps.europa.eu/press-publications/press-news/press-releases/2022/edps-orders-europol-erase-data-concerning_en">decision requiring Europol to delete data</a> in 2022 – were connected with the use of platforms identified in this investigation.</p> <p>Wiewiórowski said that EDPS needed a wider range of sanctions to oversee European institutions. He added that he has the ability to issue a soft response, in the form of an admonishment, and hard response, in the form of an order to stop processing data, which “might be really dangerous for security in Europe”, but nothing in between.</p> <p>With discussions underway about enlarging the mandate of Europol, he suggested that it would be a mistake for Europol to be enlarged without increasing oversight.</p> <p>Saskia Bricmont, Belgian Green MEP, added in a statement that she would prioritise a discussion with the European Commission and the Libe Committee over the findings of this investigation.</p> <p>“It is urgent that the agency and the European Commission provide detailed explanations,” she said. “Yet, once again, it is thanks to the work of investigative journalists that we are discovering a problem within Europol, which only serves to heighten mistrust.”</p> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Read more about Europol</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li>The <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366634419/Hungry-for-data-Inside-Europols-secretive-AI-programme">EU’s law enforcement agency has been quietly amassing data to feed an ambitious but secretive artificial intelligence development programme</a> that could have far-reaching privacy implications.</li> <li>Europol wants <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366618230/Europol-seeks-evidence-of-encryption-on-crime-enforcement-as-it-steps-up-pressure-on-Big-Tech">examples of police investigations hampered by end-to-end encryption</a> as it pressures tech companies to provide law enforcement access to encrypted message.</li> <li>Law enforcement bodies from across the world have revealed how they <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366611232/Europol-provides-detail-on-Ghost-encrypted-comms-platform-takedown">collaborated to bring down encrypted network Ghost</a> and the new ways of working that have been established with Europol at the centre.</li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> Expansion of Europol’s mandate should be paused while allegations investigated, a number of MEPs say https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/ComputerWeekly/Hero%20Images/Europol-building-2-PR-hero.jpg https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366642721/MEPs-call-for-greater-scrutiny-of-Europol-following-concerns-over-Shadow-IT Fri, 08 May 2026 04:57:00 GMT <p>Artificial intelligence (AI) – and in particular agentic AI – can bring considerable increases in productivity to any organisation that uses it, with potential gains of £10 for every £1 spent. But achieving those rewards will require great effort to ensure AI becomes part of organisational culture.</p> <p>That’s the view shared by executives at a Node4 user day event in Nottingham this week, where the mid-market enterprise application, <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/resources/Software-as-a-Service-SaaS">software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider</a> and Microsoft partner showcased a range of AI-based solutions.</p> <p>According to Derby-based <a href="https://node4.co.uk/">Node4</a>, we are set to move past the era of “clunky” AI experiments and into a period where the technology is being industrialised at a rate that outpaces most corporate governance structures. Also showcased was agentic AI, but here, Node4 thinks it will be a year or so before customers trust it.</p> <p>Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366642487/Cloud-and-data-sovereignty-caught-in-a-paradox">data sovereignty</a> is an everyday conversation for the company (<a href="#Sovereignty"><em>see box</em></a>).</p> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="The three rings of AI: From assistance to orchestration"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>The three rings of AI: From assistance to orchestration</h2> <p>Core to the thinking on AI are three stages of AI adoption: First, simple assistance, where users ask questions of a large language model (LLM) where once they would have used a web search tool. Second is co-work, where <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366639977/Microsoft-Cowork-One-data-store-for-all-your-M365-assets">co-pilot-type tools</a> in an environment help more directly, such as Claude Code. And third, there is orchestration via agentic AI, where agents that are built to carry out specific tasks can be invoked in a variety of settings, often autonomously by preset triggers.</p> <p>But while such capabilities already exist in almost all enterprise application environments, including, for example, in the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central for which Node4 is a specialist, most customers have yet to make use of them.&nbsp;</p> <p>Mark Skelton, chief technology officer (CTO) at Node4 (<em>pictured, above</em>), said: “It’s something we’re struggling with. The challenge with AI at the moment is the consumerisation effect.</p> <p>“We did two roundtables last night, and we had probably 30 customers in those sessions. We asked them, where are you on your AI journey? Almost everyone in the room said, ‘Well, we’re nowhere’.</p> <p>“But when we asked the question, ‘Are you using OpenAI or ChatGPT or cloud?’ Most hands went up. So, what’s happening is business users are using this stuff on their personal accounts.”</p> <p>The concern here, said Skelton, is that if personal accounts are being used, business data is at risk of leaking out.</p> <p>Skelton said the Node4 solution is to help train customers and to showcase what’s possible with simple AI assistance, co-work and agentic AI by means of free-of-charge consulting sessions, “innovation factories” and showing customers how AI can help with real-world workloads.</p> <p>“One thing we do is automate board reports, for example,” said Skelton. “We have to do it every month. And there’s no reason why AI can’t do it. Every organisation will have to do a similar process.</p> <p>“You start with something like that. The customer goes, ‘OK, right, you’re solving a big problem. That’s a bunch of work and five days’ worth of someone’s time that I can now automate and free up their time’.”</p> </section> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="Agentic the future, but trust will take time"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>Agentic the future, but trust will take time</h2> <p>Despite recognising the challenges of how to get there, Node4 executives envisage a future of agentic AI. At the event, it showcased pre-built agents and custom agent-building capabilities in Business Central, as well as a set of agents it develops, named “enhanced”, that tackle functions not covered by Microsoft.</p> <div class="pro-features-wrapper"></div> <p>Currently, Node4 is keen to emphasise that there will be a human-in-the-loop for some time and that AI agents will not be off the leash and able to change or move corporate data.</p> <blockquote class="main-article-pullquote"> <div class="main-article-pullquote-inner"> <figure> We’re probably [six months to a year] away from having [AI agents] committing stuff without human checking. I think that’s sensible because we are still in a phase where this stuff can hallucinate </figure> <figcaption> <strong>Mark Skelton, Node4</strong> </figcaption> <i class="icon" data-icon="z"></i> </div> </blockquote> <p>So, when will Node4 customers be able to trust an AI agent to make changes in a finance ledger or an enterprise resource planning database?</p> <p>“The technology is definitely capable,” said Skelton. “But I think we’re probably in a six-month-to-year window away from actually having these things committing stuff without human checking. I think that’s sensible because we are still in a phase where this stuff can hallucinate.</p> <p>“If it’s not designed right, it can be dangerous. So, I reckon about a year away, but whenever a CTO predicts these days, you can probably halve it because of the rate of innovation.</p> <p>“The human and the guardrails are still very important at this stage,” added Skelton. “Once you’ve built your model and built all the intelligence into the agent, it’s repeatable, and that’s where you get your value. But that starting point – understanding the process you’re trying to automate and execute – is critical, because if you get the input wrong, the output could be catastrophic.”</p> <p>Node4 has around 1,800 customers, of which 800 are users of the Microsoft Dynamics platform. Of those, 63% are on the fully SaaS Business Central, with the remainder on various legacy iterations of Navision.</p> <p>The company also runs its own cloud and datacentres, which can be used for sovereign capability should a customer require it.</p> </section> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="Customer base: Different sectors, different speeds"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>Customer base: Different sectors, different speeds</h2> <p>About 1,200 customers are private sector, and 600 public sector. Node4 made north of £33m from the UK public sector for 2024-2025, according to Tussell figures, with its biggest UK government customer being the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (£23m).</p> <p>Node4 customers that are not yet SaaS users comprise a fair chunk of the customer base. According to Skelton, it’s not that they don’t want to move. Many simply lack the time and resources to do so.</p> <p>He said: “Traditionally, it’s been very costly to move because the move from Navision to Business Central is not like a Windows upgrade where you click a button and it does it for you.</p> <p>“There are complexities around code conversion and workflow. These are traditionally big projects. They could be 200-day, 300-day projects – so very costly for businesses to do. Where you see this long Navision tail, it tends to be in the smaller organisations that don’t have the big IT departments.</p> <p>“Now, we’re using AI to automate a lot of this process. We’re using AI to do all the code conversion, the workflow remappings, all that kind of stuff. And then we’re going to look at future pipelines about how we automate all the testing.”</p> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading"><a id="Sovereignty"></a>Data sovereignty ‘an everyday conversation’</h3> <p><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/feature/Is-cloud-data-sovereignty-all-just-a-case-of-Trust-me-bro">Data sovereignty is a hot topic</a> in the current <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/feature/This-rise-of-the-splinternet-Data-sovereignty-risks-and-responses">geopolitical environment</a>. Meanwhile, Microsoft has said more than once that it can’t guarantee that customer data won’t be moved offshore. And in any case, if a US company were subject to a US court order, it would be compelled to provide access to data that stateside law enforcement asked for.</p> <blockquote class="main-article-pullquote"> <div class="main-article-pullquote-inner"> <figure> The art to [data sovereignty is] working out what is mission-critical data that [customers] really need sovereignty around versus non-critical </figure> <figcaption> <strong>Mark Skelton, Node4</strong> </figcaption> <i class="icon" data-icon="z"></i> </div> </blockquote> <p>So, how does Node4 navigate that conversation?&nbsp;</p> <p>“What’s going on in the world is having a major impact on how customers are thinking and where their data sits. Of course, with Microsoft, we have to be very careful. So, we design models that sit behind all these data platforms to understand where the data can actually go and put some restrictions and controls around it.”</p> <p>Skelton also pointed to the fact that Node4 also has its own datacentres in the UK.</p> <p>“Customers are now going, ‘I don’t feel comfortable with this data sitting in Microsoft or anywhere else. Can it be in a UK-centric datacentre owned by a UK company?’ We’re seeing a bit of an uptick in demand for our datacentre capability for that reason.”</p> <p>Skelton said Node4 can still work with the Microsoft ecosystem, with data or even AI models residing in its datacentres.</p> <p>That’s partly because customers aren’t usually worried about all their data from a sovereignty perspective.</p> <p>“It may be partial sets of data that are critical,” he said. “That’s the art to this; working out what is mission-critical data that they really need sovereignty around versus non-critical. The non-critical would sit in the Microsoft cloud system. The critical stuff sits in ours, and we create the plumbing and the controls between that to make sure all the data is controlled. But it’s a daily conversation.”</p> </div> </div> <p></p> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Read more about Microsoft and AI</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366639308/Microsoft-CEO-opens-up-London-AI-tour-with-Copilot-push">Microsoft CEO opens London AI Tour with Copilot push</a>: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella used his event keynote to showcase how the artificial intelligence in M365 is a foundation for agentic AI in the enterprise.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366639977/Microsoft-Cowork-One-data-store-for-all-your-M365-assets">Microsoft Cowork – one data store for all your M365 assets</a>: Microsoft has revealed the next stage of its plans to place its software at the heart of enterprise data, which is now powered by agentic AI.</li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> UK mid-market supplier showcases the three stages of AI – assistance, co-work and orchestration – but faces a reality in which most users have yet to arrive at first base https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/ComputerWeekly/HeroImages/Node4-user-day-Nottingham-hero.jpg https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366642876/Node4-AI-and-agentic-the-future-but-culture-the-key-to-unlock-it Fri, 08 May 2026 04:55:00 GMT <p>In the latest part of its recent continued efforts to build end-to-end space systems, Swissto12 has inked a major contract with German high-performance space subsystem provider HPS/LSS to provide its HummingSat platform with a large deployable L-band reflector antenna that unfolds in orbit after launch.</p> <p>Adding extra capability to its core system, opening up an entirely new category of space system and an alternative to traditional low Earth orbit (LEO)-based D2D architectures, <a title="https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/dYJuCqxV2vtR9zLKNsXhRUEWbsq?domain=urldefense.com" href="https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/dYJuCqxV2vtR9zLKNsXhRUEWbsq?domain=urldefense.com">Swissto12</a> hopes to reinforce Europe’s advanced capabilities in satellite engineering, bringing together Swiss and German expertise in an ecosystem backed by the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European space agency (ESA)</a>.</p> <p>Specifically, the collaboration will see the Munich-based consortium provide a large deployable reflector subsystem (LDRS) for the Neastar-1 mission, built on HummingSat, enabling what is claimed to be the world’s first direct-to-device media broadcasting capabilities from geostationary orbit.</p> <p>The&nbsp;<a href="https://swissto12.com/hummingsat">HummingSat platform</a> is described as a new class of geostationary satellites that are “significantly” smaller and more cost-efficient than conventional GEO craft. HummingSat is seen as offering new economics for the geostationary satellite market, unlocking faster builds, lower costs and ride-share launches. It should also offer a telecoms-grade service backbone that plugs directly into the 3GPP non-terrestrial networks standard, designed for mass-market adoption.</p> <p>Swissto12 believes its form factor can support cost-effective production and ride-share launch opportunities with its proprietary, space-qualified additive manufacturing technology and advanced radio frequency (RF) systems, further enhancing payload performance, streamlining production, and reducing manufacturing time and cost.</p> <p>The craft was developed in collaboration with the ESA through its public-private partnership programme. The company said its RF products benefit from unique and patented 3D printing technologies and associated radio frequency product designs that deliver lightweight, compact, high-performing and “competitive” RF functionality. First deliveries are scheduled for 2027.</p> <p>The German-led antenna reflector subsystem is the result of more than 15 years of development under the ESA’s Advanced Research in Telecommunications (Artes) programme, ESA’s Earth Observation Technology Development activities, and the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme. The contract for the Neastar-1-LDRS is co-funded by ESA, with core funding from the German Space Agency within the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and further contributions from additional ESA member states.</p> <p>Since the inception of the HummingSat programme,&nbsp;Swissto12 has developed a large industrial footprint in Germany, and the company noted that this latest contract further strengthens the German partnership and contribution to HummingSat.</p> <p>In the context of future cooperation, Swissto12 said it is positioning its small geostationary satellite and advanced multi-orbit payload technologies as a “strong technical and strategic fit” with the German Federal Government’s Space Strategy, in particular, with its priorities around secure communications.</p> <p>The HPS/LSS consortium joins a network of German supply chain partners including ASP, AST, DLR, Tesat, Thales Germany, Jena Optronik and Rockwell Collins Germany.</p> <p>The company said that this ecosystem reflects an increasingly confident space posture, whereby European satellite companies are selected to build advanced systems for European customers – both commercial and government.</p> <p>“Collaboration with HPS/LSS was fast and effective from the first day. We value their culture of precision engineering, deep-tech innovation, and commitment to excellence along with a drive for fast and efficient execution,” said Emile de Rijk, CEO and founder of Swissto12. “They have demonstrated a strong technical heritage and proven&nbsp;track record in building LDRS, notably for ESA missions, underscoring the progress of ESA and DLR’s vision to develop resilient, sovereign space capabilities.”</p> <p>Laurent Jaffart, director of resilience, navigation and connectivity at ESA, added: “ESA’s long-term investment in innovation and partnerships enable cutting-edge technologies to be brought to market, crucially boosting Europe’s global competitiveness, while strengthening autonomy and resilience. By leveraging Europe’s industrial excellence within two of our key member states, this contract is a prime example of how strong collaboration will be translated into advancing the next-generation of connectivity – particularly in the direct-to-device domain.”</p> <div class="pro-features-wrapper"></div> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Read more about space communications</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366642501/TMobile-Starlink-aim-to-reinvent-business-internet-from-ground-up-sky-down">T‑Mobile, Starlink aim to reinvent business internet from ground up, sky down</a>: US 5G internet provider inks deal with leading satellite constellation to deliver broadband with ‘virtually unbreakable’ connectivity.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366641709/Amazon-acquires-Globalstar-to-expand-satellite-comms-business">Amazon acquires Globalstar to expand satellite comms business</a>: Strategic purchase to see satellites, radio frequency spectrum and operational expertise to enable existing Leo business to add direct-to-device services to future.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366641666/SES-gains-altitude-for-in-flight-connectivity-with-Boeing-Japan-Airlines">SES gains altitude for in-flight connectivity with Boeing, Japan Airlines</a>: Satellite operator claims milestone towards line-fit offer for multi-orbit connectivity, with streamlined factory installation on Boeing craft and deal with Japanese carrier.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366641696/Sateliot-launches-100m-series-C-financing-round">Sateliot launches €100m series C financing round</a>: Barcelona-based satellite operator announces investment that will see use in financing deployment of constellation and starts selection process for a lead investor in new round expected to close in summer.</li> </ul> </div> </div> Swiss manufacturer of advanced satellite solutions collaborates with German space subsystem provider for space tech system intended enable operations of small-GEO D2D satellite https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/ComputerWeekly/Hero%20Images/earth-space-satellite-network-comms-adobe.jpeg https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366642763/SWISSto12-HPS-LSS-intro-satellite-unfurling-antenna-reflector Fri, 08 May 2026 04:39:00 GMT <p>Extreme Networks has unveiled Wi-Fi 7 access points (APs) to deliver “fast, secure connectivity” for critical use cases including real-time artificial intelligence (AI) workloads, AR/VR experiences, smart manufacturing, telehealth and high-density venues.</p> <p>Extreme said it offers “the industry’s most complete” deployment-ready Wi-Fi 7 portfolio, delivering APs that it adds combine “optimised performance with practical efficiency”. They see use in a variety of environments, including hospitals, stadiums, cost-effective deployments in schools, retail and hospitality, real-time applications and “next-generation digital experiences”.</p> <p>Global end users of Extreme’s Wi-Fi 7 solutions include <a href="https://www.baylor.edu/">Baylor University</a>, Henry Ford Health, Six Flags, <a href="https://www.uhb.nhs.uk/">University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust</a> and multiple teams within the <a href="https://www.nfl.com/">NFL</a>.</p> <p>The products comprise the <a href="https://www.extremenetworks.com/products/wi-fi-access-points/universal-aps-outdoor/ap5060">AP5060 series outdoor</a> and AP5022 series indoor APs. They aim to deliver “premium” performance with three 4x4 radios, a dedicated tri-band security sensor, and integrated internet of things (IoT) radios to support growing device demands.</p> <p>The AP5060 is engineered for harsh environments, combining a ruggedised design with the durability and resilience needed to deliver reliable, long-term connectivity in demanding settings such as hospitals, industrial facilities and stadiums.</p> <p>Both series support flexible tri-band operation on standard PoE+ (802.3at), allowing customers to deploy broadly while choosing the balance of radio performance, scanning and functionality for each environment.</p> <p>The AP3020 series indoor and AP3060 weatherised outdoor series deliver full-feature Wi-Fi 7 with 2x2 radio designs optimised for space and power-constrained environments such as schools, retail and hospitality.</p> <p>With a low-profile wall plate designed to balance aesthetics and functionality, the AP3020W is described as a natural fit for hospitality, education and multi-dwelling environments. The AP3020X includes support for external antennas, enabling more flexible designs for environments that benefit from directional Wi-Fi like high-density venues. The AP3060 is IP67-rated and offers a compact design with an extended temperature range, built to withstand harsh conditions from high winds to sub-zero temperatures.</p> <p>The products are managed through the <a href="https://www.extremenetworks.com/platform-one">Extreme Platform ONE system</a> and offer support for both low and standard power 6 GHz enables customers to benefit from Wi-Fi 7 performance gains without switch or power upgrades, delivering built-in compliance for global regulations.</p> <p>Siân Morgan, research director at analyst Dell’Oro Group, said: “Wi-Fi 7 adoption is accelerating as organisations scale IoT and real-time AI workloads. Extreme’s cloud-managed Wi-Fi 7 solutions combine high-performance hardware with intelligent management to simplify operations and keep networks ready for what’s next.”</p> <p>David Coleman, director of wireless in the office of the CTO at Extreme Networks, added: “These Wi-Fi 7 solutions will help customers to meet demands with stronger performance for modern AI-driven environments, improved power efficiency, and simpler deployment and operations at scale.”</p> <p>Recently, Extreme has been upgrading sports arena communications, replacing legacy Wi-Fi 5 with a full Wi-Fi 7 upgrade – at arenas such as that of <a href="https://www.lenovocenter.com/teams/detail/carolina-hurricanes">Carolina Hurricanes at the Lenovo Centre</a> – to deliver faster, more reliable connectivity throughout arenas and improve fan experiences.</p> <p>In its most recent deployment, the <a href="https://floridagators.com/sports/2020/4/4/ben-hill-griffin-stadium">University of Florida’s Ben Hill Griffin Stadium</a>, commonly known as The Swamp, will see the installation of the first Wi‑Fi 7 network in a collegiate stadium. Extreme claimed that with Wi‑Fi 7, The Swamp will be setting a new bar for what a packed venue can deliver, ushering in a new era of fan connectivity.</p> <p>The Wi‑Fi 7 network should enable “seamless” <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366641772/Cintegral-taps-Taara-connectivity-for-real-time-live-media-production">4K/8K video streaming</a>, instant social sharing and real-time stats access. The infrastructure is stated to have the required low latency&nbsp;for responsive mobile experiences, including in-seat ordering and interactive apps. Extreme said that its network supports improved device capacity,&nbsp;supporting tens of thousands of concurrent connections without performance degradation, with consistent coverage&nbsp;across seating bowls, concourses, suites and outdoor areas.</p> <p>The installation will complement the University of Florida’s planned stadium renovation, designed to modernise the facility with wider concourses, improved entrances and exits, new premium seating options, enhanced concessions, and upgraded scoreboard and sound systems.</p> <p>“On game day, The Swamp transforms into one of the most electrifying and densely connected environments in college sports,” said Matt Vincent, assistant athletics director, information technology at the University of Florida. “As we continue to invest in the fan experience at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, adding Wi-Fi 7 allows us to significantly increase capacity while enabling smarter, real-time connectivity that helps everything run smoothly at peak demand.</p> <p>“The network-infrastructure-as-a-service (NIaaS) model from Extreme Networks also provides the flexibility to scale as needed without significant upfront investment, allowing our IT team to operate more efficiently while delivering a consistently high-quality digital experience for every fan.”</p> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="The Wi-Fi battle in Europe"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>The Wi-Fi battle in Europe</h2> <p>Yet even as it was rolling out the Wi-Fi product line, Extreme expressed concern that the roll-out of Wi-Fi 7 products outside of the US could be stymied through issues regarding the allocation of the upper band of 6 GHz spectrum. In Europe, there has been a battle between&nbsp;<a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366621094/Nokia-enhances-Wi-Fi-7-enabled-FWA-gateway-portfolio">Wi-Fi</a>&nbsp;operators and telcos over the ownership of the upper&nbsp;<a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366587546/Nokia-Telia-claim-successful-outdoor-trial-in-6-GHz-range-with-Massive-MIMO">6 GHz band</a> of the coveted frequency range.</p> <p>The telcos argue that enabling this band for mobile use will ensure&nbsp;<a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252500991/Unlicensed-6GHz-spectrum-puts-5G-economic-potential-at-risk-warns-GSMA">consumers and businesses receive even faster and more reliable 5G services</a>&nbsp;over the next five to 10 years, while avoiding a mobile capacity crunch caused by soaring demand for bandwidth as more devices and services, such as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366554354/Qualcomm-looks-to-reshape-digital-world-through-spatial-computing">augmented reality headsets</a>, health sensors and vehicles, are connected to mobile networks that require greater processing power and capacity.</p> <p>For their part, the Wi-Fi providers warn that without additional Wi-Fi spectrum, European businesses will be less globally competitive due to higher wireless connectivity costs and less access to new technologies. Advocates say Wi-Fi in the upper 6 GHz band will deliver high-speed, ultra-low latency, low-cost, high-speed connectivity that will enable innovations in industry, including automated manufacturing, smart logistics and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366620872/Qualcomm-Palantir-extend-AI-to-the-edge-for-industrial-IoT">industrial IoT</a>.</p> <p>Explaining the issue at hand through the evolution of wireless comm standards, Coleman told Computer Weekly that the introduction of Wi-Fi 6E – the first Wi-Fi generation to introduce 6 Hz comms – was not a new but a spectrum paradigm shift. This spectrum has been available in the US for around five years and has been a “big game changer” in terms of the future of applications on the back of the 6 GHz spectrum and that, in terms of potential, Wi-Fi 7 is “bringing that home”.</p> <p>However, despite the company’s success in fitting out stadia such as the Lenovo Centr and The Swamp, Coleman revealed that the biggest challenge for Extreme in deciding what to build in outdoor developments, especially in stadiums, was the regulatory rules regarding 6 GHz.</p> <p>“That has been very challenging,” he said. “There are different rules for indoors and outdoors, and there are different rules for weatherised devices. Even though it’s been five years, the rules are still changing. So, we have daily conversations. It’s settled in solid here in the US, but regulatory [conditions] in the rest of the world for 6 GHz is still a work in progress.</p> <p>“The biggest problem with Europe … is [regulators are] behind the US. This is because there’s only 500 MHz of the frequency space. We have 1,200 [in the US] for 6 GHz. [Europe] still doesn’t have standard power or outdoor [standards]. So, we need spectrum harmonisation.</p> <p>“Why should the Americans be the only ones that have 1200 MHz of frequency space? It should be a worldwide thing, [but] that makes it challenging for us on what we build, because sometimes what we build isn’t going to work the same way in a different country.”&nbsp;</p> <div class="pro-features-wrapper"></div> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Read more about Wi-Fi</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366638609/Broadcom-claims-enterprise-Wi-Fi-8-first">Broadcom claims enterprise Wi-Fi 8 first</a>: Unified, wireless-first architecture based on latest wireless standard designed to address rising demand for hybrid work, and deliver performance, efficiency and security for next-gen enterprise networking.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366636333/Three-in-five-businesses-more-confident-in-Wi-Fi-investment">Three in five businesses more confident in Wi-Fi investment</a>: Research finds 60% of businesses see converged Wi-Fi and 5G as key to enterprise flexibility, with 38% planning to roll out Wi-Fi 7 in 2025/2026, while 65% say 6 GHz availability is important to their Wi-Fi business.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366641140/Wireless-AI-paradox-emerges-as-Wi-Fi-evolves-into-strategic-growth-engine">Wireless AI paradox emerges as Wi-Fi evolves into strategic growth engine</a>: Research finds businesses must adapt to diverse connectivity needs, and support a growing spectrum of users and devices including employees, contractors, robots, sensors and AI applications.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366639493/Alcatel-Lucent-looks-to-make-Wi-Fi-7-affordable-for-everyday-connectivity">Alcatel-Lucent looks to make Wi-Fi 7 affordable for everyday connectivity</a>: Enterprise networking and communication services provider offers entry-level access point based on latest wireless standard to deliver advanced wireless capabilities at a cost-effective price.</li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> Wi-Fi 7 access points designed to provide reliable, high-speed connectivity and key deployment made at University of Florida arena https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/ComputerWeekly/Hero%20Images/Wi-Fi-network-hardware-escapejaja-adobe.jpg https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366642758/Extreme-Connect-26-Wi-Fi-7-line-aims-to-address-needs-of-6GHz-era Thu, 07 May 2026 09:18:00 GMT <p>Artificial intelligence (AI) is being woven into everyday working life. It is also becoming a gateway to economic participation. But for nearly eight million people in the UK who <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366640721/UK-government-boosts-digital-access-for-more-than-a-million-people">lack basic digital skills</a> - that gateway has become a barrier.</p> <p>Consider a capable candidate applying for a job. The role suits their experience, but the digital process is layered with logins, verification steps and AI-driven prompts that feel opaque. In an era of scams and deepfakes, requests for personal information can trigger hesitation rather than reassurance. The system may be designed for efficiency, but for some users it can feel risky or overwhelming.</p> <p><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/opinion/Diversity-Think-Tank-Inclusion-matters-heres-why-you-should-care">Digital exclusion</a> can be quiet. It shows up as abandoned forms, unfinished applications and services avoided. With around 90% of jobs now advertised online and essential services increasingly digital-first, hesitation translates directly into reduced participation in the labour market.</p> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="AI at the front end of business services"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>AI at the front end of business services</h2> <p>As advanced AI moves from experimentation to infrastructure, it now sits at the front end of many core business services - hiring funnels, learning platforms, customer service journeys and financial verification processes. These are no longer back-office systems. They serve as digital gateways to jobs and essential services. If complexity is hard-wired into these journeys, and now with AI layered onto fragmented processes, organisations will spend the next decade trying to retrofit inclusion at far greater cost.</p> </section> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="More than a skills issue"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>More than a skills issue</h2> <p>It is tempting to frame Britain’s challenge as a straightforward <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366544238/FutureDotNow-debuts-roadmap-to-guide-UK-through-closing-digital-skills-gap">digital skills gap</a>. But the latest research and work with communities show that what holds many people back is not a lack of ability, but a lack of confidence.</p> <div class="pro-features-wrapper"></div> <p>Fear of fraud and impersonation, cognitive overload from cluttered interfaces, and processes that strip away autonomy by forcing reliance on others all play a role.</p> <p>For business leaders focused on growth, this means a narrower recruitment pool, higher drop-off rates in applications and rising demand for assisted services. Facing these constraints in a tight labour market because your digital front door feels intimidating is not a social issue. It is a commercial one.</p> <blockquote class="main-article-pullquote"> <div class="main-article-pullquote-inner"> <figure> AI has the potential to deliver a double-digit uplift in productivity across the UK economy - but these gains depend on whether people have the skills and confidence to participate in an AI-shaped economy </figure> <figcaption> <strong>Dal Channa, Accenture</strong> </figcaption> <i class="icon" data-icon="z"></i> </div> </blockquote> <p>Yet many organisations treat AI deployment as a technical roll-out, measuring success through adoption rates, chatbot usage or efficiencies. Far less attention is paid to whether people can complete tasks independently, feel in control of the interaction, or know how to recover when something goes wrong - or to tracking reductions in assisted interactions, rather than adoption alone.</p> <p>Through our work, alongside our charity partners, Good Things Foundation and Generation UK<i>,</i> we have seen <a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366619507/Government-launches-Digital-Inclusion-Action-Plan">how digital inclusion can work</a>.</p> <p>Short, supported sessions allow people to experiment with AI tools in safe environments where mistakes are recoverable. They help people to overcome hesitancy and feel more eager to use the technology. Systems that are simplified before automation is layered in prove far easier to navigate. Tools delivered through trusted institutions -employers, banks and public services - generate far greater willingness to engage than platforms alone.</p> <p>Those who are most likely to hesitate often expose design flaws faster than any internal test lab. Building for them improves the system for everyone.</p> </section> <section class="section main-article-chapter" data-menu-title="Participation is the point"> <h2 class="section-title"><i class="icon" data-icon="1"></i>Participation is the point</h2> <p>Digital inclusion matters because the prize is real. Generative AI has the potential to deliver a <a href="https://www.accenture.com/content/dam/accenture/final/accenture-com/document-3/Accenture-Accelerating-The-UKs-Generative-AI-Reinvention.pdf#zoom=40">double-digit uplift in productivity</a> across the UK economy. But those gains are not automatic. They depend on whether people have the skills and confidence to participate in an AI-shaped economy.</p> <p>That is why building AI literacy matters just as much as investment in the technology itself. Through Accenture’s <a href="https://newsroom.accenture.co.uk/english-uk/news/2024/accenture-to-help-tackle-the-digital-inclusion-gap-in-disadvantaged-areas-across-the-uk">Regenerative AI</a> initiative, which aims to empower over one million people in the UK with digital access, skills and AI literacy, we are seeing how small, human-centred interventions can unlock meaningful gains in participation and independence.</p> <p>For AI’s potential to be realised, humans need to remain in the lead. That means ensuring people have access to the support they need to build confidence. The digital world should not feel locked behind complexity. It should be secure and accessible so people can engage independently.</p> <p><i>Dal Channa is Accenture’s corporate citizenship lead in the UK &amp; Ireland.</i></p> <div class="extra-info"> <div class="extra-info-inner"> <h3 class="splash-heading">Read more about digital inclusion</h3> <ul class="default-list"> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/opinion/Diversity-Think-Tank-Divesting-from-inclusion-is-a-tech-business-mistake">Divesting from inclusion is a tech business mistake</a> - Even without recent news in the US, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives were dialled back in UK businesses last year due to tight budgets and economic uncertainty.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/opinion/The-future-is-inclusive-How-technology-can-democratise-access-to-opportunity">The future is inclusive: How technology can democratise access to opportunity</a> - IT leaders need to play their part in using technology to create a more inclusive future for businesses - the benefits for all will be significant.</li> <li><a href="https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366611263/UN-body-urges-globally-inclusive-and-distributed-AI-governance">UN body urges ‘globally inclusive and distributed’ AI governance</a> - A United Nations body set up to investigate the international governance of AI says the nature of how the technology currently operates requires a global approach to regulation that prioritises equity and inclusion.</li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> AI is increasingly being woven into every aspect of our lives - but the technology's full potential cannot be delivered without addressing shortcomings in digital inclusion https://cdn.ttgtmedia.com/visuals/ComputerWeekly/Hero%20Images/diversity-inclusion-Fokussiert-adobe.jpg https://www.computerweekly.com/opinion/Realising-Britains-AI-ambitions-rests-on-digital-confidence-and-inclusion Thu, 07 May 2026 07:46:00 GMT 60 editor@computerweekly.com