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Latest Key Developments

Government Sets Out Strategic Priorities for UK Broadband and Mobile

15th February, 2019 (10 Comments)

The Government has today set out its first ever Statement of Strategic Priorities (SSP) for UK mobile and broadband services, which requires Ofcom to reflect in their work the need to build “world-class digital infrastructure“, look at mobile roaming in rural areas and tackle the so-called “loyalty penalty” etc.

Update on Openreach G.fast, FoD, SoGEA and FTTP Broadband Changes

15th February, 2019 (26 Comments)

We’ve today gathered together the latest information from our UK industry sources in order to produce a summary of the latest broadband ISP technology and service changes at Openreach (BT). On the list this time are new FTTC cabinets, the G.fast self install trial, SoGEA, FTTP on Demand (FoD) and more.

Virgin Media UK Harness Broadband Cabinets for EV Car Charging UPDATE

28th January, 2019 (51 Comments)

The parent company to cable ISP Virgin Media, Liberty Global, is planning to test a new concept in the United Kingdom that would harness their existing cable ducts and broadband street cabinets in order to help deploy charging points on residential streets for electric cars (EVs).

Openreach Name Next 11 UK Areas for FTTP Ultrafast Broadband

28th January, 2019 (55 Comments)

Telecoms operator Openreach (BT) has today revealed the next batch of 11 areas that will benefit from their roll-out of 1Gbps capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) based broadband ISP infrastructure in 2019, which should cover 3 million UK homes and businesses by the end of 2020. Plus 3,000 extra engineers will be added.

No More Gov EIS Tax Relief for Community Benefit Broadband ISPs UPDATE

26th January, 2019 (44 Comments)

A new ruling by HMRC, which appears to say that UK broadband ISPs acting as a Community Benefit Societies (CBS) to build their own local networks can no longer make use of tax breaks under the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS), could have serious repercussions for “full fibre” projects in rural areas.

BT Win £9.25m Wales LOT 2 Full Fibre Broadband Rollout Deal UPDATE2

17th January, 2019 (13 Comments)

The Welsh Government has quietly chosen BT (Openreach) to supply the final LOT 2 of their Phase 2 “superfast broadband” (30Mbps+) roll-out contract, which uses £9.256m of public money and aims to bring FTTP “full fibre” coverage to around 10,000 more premises across East Wales (rural areas).

Government’s Ineffective UK ISP Internet Porn Ban Coming April 2019

13th January, 2019 (23 Comments)

No, it’s not an early April Fools. Instead April is officially the month when the government’s new age verification system – targeted at commercial websites and “apps” that contain pornographic content – comes into force. Broadband ISPs will also be required to block sites that fail to comply with the new rules.

CMA Seek Urgent Action to Tackle Mobile and Broadband Loyalty Penalties

19th December, 2018 (2 Comments)

The Competition and Markets Authority has concluded its “super-complaint” probe into how UK consumers who remain loyal to a broadband ISP or mobile operator often end up paying “significantly more” than new customers. In response they’ve called for “urgent action” to tackle related issues and protect vulnerable users.

Ofcom Consult on UK Mobile Spectrum Sharing and 5G Auctions UPDATE

18th December, 2018 (3 Comments)

The UK telecoms regulator has moved to improve 4G and future 5G mobile coverage by setting out their plans for “spectrum sharing” in the 1800MHz, 2300MHz and 3.8-4.2GHz bands, as well as finalising new coverage obligations for next year’s auction of the 700MHz band. The 3.6GHz – 3.8GHz bands will also be auctioned.

2018 Infrastructure Report Shows State of UK Broadband and Mobile

18th December, 2018 (3 Comments)

Ofcom has released their annual infrastructure report, which reveals that just 2% of the UK (677,000 premises) cannot access a 10Mbps capable fixed line broadband ISP service (down from 4% in 2017), while “full fibre” (FTTP) is available to 6% (up from 3%) and geographic coverage of 4G mobile has hit 66% (up from 43%).

Mobile Operators Face 900MHz and 1800MHz Licence Fee Hike Again

17th December, 2018 (7 Comments)

After years of delay and court battles Ofcom have today set the annual licence fees (ALF) that O2, Vodafone, Three UK (H3G) and EE will pay for their 2G, 3G and 4G Mobile services in the 900MHz and 1800MHz spectrum bands. The regulator has separately proposed fees for UK Broadband’s (H3G) holdings at 3.4GHz and 3.6GHz.

One Year Extension for UK Better Broadband Subsidy Scheme UPDATE2

14th December, 2018 (13 Comments)

The UK Government’s Better Broadband Subsidy Scheme, which offers grants worth up to £350 for rural homes and businesses that are unable to get at least a 2Mbps download speed (i.e. helps them to get a faster ISP connection installed), appears to have been extended again until the end of 2019.

Ofcom Probes UK Broadband ISP Prices and Tries to Boost Take-up UPDATE

14th December, 2018 (33 Comments)

The UK telecoms regulator has today launched a new review of broadband pricing to examine whether loyal (existing) and vulnerable ISP customers are being ripped-off. On top of that they’ve also set out their final proposals for end-of-contract notification letters, which will soon also tell you about the best deals.

Openreach Start SOGEA Pilot and Reveal Standalone Broadband Prices

12th December, 2018 (42 Comments)

Openreach (BT) has today confirmed that their new Single Order Generic Ethernet Access (SOGEA) product, which enables consumers to buy a standalone FTTC “fibre broadband” (VDSL2 or G.fast) line without the voice (phone) service, will enter the UK ISP pilot phase on 9th January. The first prices have also been published.

Openreach to Start UK ISP Trial of Self Install G.fast Broadband

11th December, 2018 (19 Comments)

As predicted Openreach (BT) has today announced the forthcoming launch of a new Proof of Concept (PoC) trial, which will make it possible for ISPs to offer customers a “self install” (i.e. no engineer required) variant of their new 330Mbps capable G.fast (hybrid fibre) based ultrafast broadband service.

Ofcom Move to Redefine UK Geographic Fibre Markets from 2021

11th December, 2018 (4 Comments)

Over the next few years the UK will witness a surge in alternative fibre optic (FTTP) broadband ISP networks, which means that investment and competition will vary a lot by geography. In response Ofcom has today begun consulting upon a new approach to how they set regulation and define such markets from 2021.

Openreach and UK ISPs Reach Deal on Automatic Compensation

11th December, 2018 (15 Comments)

After some disagreement Openreach (BT) and five major retail ISPs appear to have finally reached agreement on payments as part of Ofcom’s new automatic compensation system, which from “early 2019” will require them to compensate consumers for a total loss of fixed broadband and phone connectivity.

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