Ofcom’s easy broadband switching process set for delay

A deadline for broadband providers to implement Ofcom’s new easy switching process is likely to be missed.

The ‘One Touch Switch’ process intends to make it easier for customers to switch their broadband provider.

Research from Uswitch found that over a third (36%) of broadband customers have never switched their provider. Many households could be missing out on savings which could help ease cost-of-living pressures.

“As broadband customers across the...

24 March 2023 | Broadband

Amazon unveils terminals for its Starlink rival

Amazon has unveiled its first Project Kuiper terminals as it prepares to go head-to-head with SpaceX’s Starlink.

Project Kuiper is Amazon’s plan to build a constellation of 3,236 satellites in low Earth orbit to provide high-speed internet anywhere in the world.

“Our goal with Project Kuiper is not just to connect unserved and underserved communities, but also to delight them with the quality, reliability, and value of their service,” said Rajeev Badyal,...

15 March 2023 | Broadband

Ofcom to make over 6 GHz of mmWave spectrum available

British telecoms regulator Ofcom has announced that it will make over 6 GHz of mmWave spectrum available.

The spectrum will span the 26 GHz (24.25-27.5 GHz) and 40 GHz (40.5 GHz-43.5 GHz) bands and deliver large increases in speeds and capacity.

Tony Eigen, VP of Marketing at Baicells, said: “Many countries, including the US, are already seeing the clear performance benefits of mmWave. Data from Ookla in the US revealed mmWave is achieving extraordinary speeds - almost...

14 March 2023 | 5G

Mobile sector deploys Open Network APIs and preps for new era of digital services

Someone holding a smartphone.

The GSMA, an industry organisation that represents the interests of 750+ mobile network operators worldwide, has launched an initiative called GSMA Open Gateway, a framework of universal network Application Programmable Interfaces (APIs), designed to provide universal access to operator networks for developers.

Launched with the support of 21 of the mobile network operators, the move represents a paradigm shift in the way the telecoms industry designs and delivers services in an...

27 February 2023 | Networks

Cisco and NEC bring 5G connectivity and automation to networks worldwide

Cisco and NEC Corporation has revealed plans to expand their collaboration efforts to include system integration solutions and potential opportunities in 5G xHaul and private 5G to help customers transform their architecture and connect more people and things.

The companies have expanded areas of collaboration under their Global Systems Integrator Agreement (GSIA) with augmented solutions for scalable 5G xHaul transport networks, such as enhanced capabilities for end-to-end...

27 February 2023 | 5G

EU greenlights Vodafone-Altice FTTH plans

The EU Commission has given the green light to a joint venture between Vodafone and Altice to deploy fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) across Germany.

The joint venture is called FibreCo and will see the partners deploy FTTH to up to seven million homes over a six-year period.

Nick Read, CEO of Vodafone Group, commented:

“This partnership builds on Vodafone’s significant next-generation network with Altice’s industrial expertise and proven Fibre-to-the-Home...

21 February 2023 | Broadband

Vodafone demos flying real drones in the metaverse over 5G

Vodafone has demonstrated how real-life drones can be piloted in the metaverse over a 5G network.

The low-latency aspect of 5G enables new use cases that were not possible over previous generation networks.

One early 5G application was cloud gaming. Longer-term, 5G combined with advancements in robotics will enable remote surgery when a patient isn’t expected to make it to a hospital or when a specialist is based elsewhere in the country (or even the...

20 February 2023 | 5G

Babcock awarded £400M contract to operate military satellites

Babcock and its partners have been awarded a £400 million contract to operate the Skynet military satellite communications system.

Skynet is the UK’s satellite system that enables communications to be sent from anywhere in the world back to the UK and its allies.

Defence Procurement Minister Alex Chalk KC said:

“Space is increasingly important for maintaining battlefield advantage.

The UK’s next-generation military satellite communications...

15 February 2023 | Legislation & Government

Russian hackers disrupt NATO comms used for earthquake relief

Russian hacking group Killnet has claimed responsibility for disrupting communications between NATO and other organisations providing earthquake relief in Turkey and Syria.

The devastating earthquake has claimed at least 28,000 lives and efforts continue to pull victims from the rubble. Countries and NGOs worldwide dispatched resources to provide humanitarian aid, including aircraft with transport and airlift capabilities.

Strategic Airlift Capability (SAC) is a...

13 February 2023 | Networks

Juniper Research: 5G revenue to hit $625B by 2027

A report from Juniper Research suggests that operators will generate $625 billion from 5G services by 2027.

If the forecast is correct, it would mean that – in just four years – operators will enjoy over double the $310 billion revenue they’re expected to generate from 5G services in 2023.

The rapid growth will lead to 5G accounting for around 80 percent of operators’ revenue by 2027. The increased revenue will result in operators seeing a clear return on the...

8 February 2023 | 5G