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Latest Key Developments

Virgin Media O2 Parents Form Joint Venture to Build New UK Fibre Network

29th Jul, 2022 (32 Comments)

The parents of Virgin Media (Liberty Global) and O2 (Telefonica), supported by InfraVia Capital Partners, have today announced the creation of a new Joint Venture (JV) to build an XGS-PON based and wholesale focused Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband network that will cover “up to” 7 million additional UK homes.

Global Shortage of Fibre Optic Cables Hits UK Broadband Firms UPDATE

28th Jul, 2022 (14 Comments)

Network builders and broadband ISPs in the UK have confirmed that they’re also being affected by a shortage in optical fibre cables, which has caused significant delays to lead times on deliveries and pushed up prices of such cables by as much as 70% since March 2021. But contrary to some reports, the cable cost is not the main issue.

CityFibre Upgrade UK Network to 10Gbps Full Fibre Broadband UPDATE

25th Jul, 2022 (30 Comments)

Network builder CityFibre has today announced that they will begin upgrading their national UK GPON based full fibre broadband ISP network to harness XGS-PON technology from April 2023, which will enable them to offer symmetrical download and upload speeds of up to 10Gbps – Gigabits per second (9.953Gbps to be exact).

Welsh Government and Openreach Extend FTTP Broadband Rollout

20th Jul, 2022 (6 Comments)

The Welsh Government has issued an easy to miss statement on Digital Connectivity in Wales, which among other things reveals that their £52.5m Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband rollout contract with Openreach (BT) is now expected to cover slightly more premises. But this will push completion back to 31st March 2023.

Openreach Add 12 New UK FTTP Broadband Rollout Areas – July 2022

19th Jul, 2022 (30 Comments)

Network access provider Openreach (BT) has today added 12 new places (towns and villages) to their £15bn rollout of a new 1Gbps Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband ISP network, which also includes a few corrections due to past errors and a larger build on the Isle of Wight. Some 8 million premises are now covered.

CWU Sets Timetable for 2 Day National BT and Openreach Strike

15th Jul, 2022 (21 Comments)

The Communications Workers Union (CWU) has this afternoon formally served notice for strike action against UK telecoms and broadband ISP giant BT (inc. Openreach), which will take place on Friday 29th July and Monday 1st August 2022. Up to around 38,000 workers could potentially go on strike, although exact figures may be less.

CityFibre Banner and Fibre Optic Cable Reel

CityFibre Lose Appeal vs Ofcom’s Approval of Openreach FTTP Price Cut UPDATE

15th Jul, 2022 (10 Comments)

The Competition Appeal Tribunal has today “dismissed” CityFibre’s attempt to challenge Ofcom’s approval of Openreach’s (BT) “Equinox” offer (here), which introduced a “major” price cut (details) at wholesale to their Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband products for UK ISPs. But the operator is far from giving up.

Rights Holders Force UK Mobile Operators to Block Piracy Sites

12th Jul, 2022 (10 Comments)

The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) has announced that its long-running campaign, which uses the High Court to force major UK broadband ISPs into blocking websites that are suspected of facilitating copyright infringement (internet piracy), is being extended to mobile operators – starting with EE (BT).

Ofcom Monitors UK Internet Phone Providers Over 999 Concerns UPDATE

11th Jul, 2022 (18 Comments)

Ofcom has today opened a new monitoring programme, which will pay special attention to checking whether internet phone providers, such as those offered by dedicated Voice-over-IP (VoIP) and broadband providers (ISP), are ensuring the availability of access to emergency services (999) during power cuts.

Ofcom Sets Out UK Internet Censorship Plans Under Safety Bill

6th Jul, 2022 (19 Comments)

The UK communications and media regulator, Ofcom, has today set out their plans for putting the mess of complex and confusing legislation – that is the Online Safety Bill (OSB) – into practice, which aims to tackle “harmful” internet content through website bans by broadband ISPs, fines and other sanctions.

protest and strike uk concept with megaphone

BT Staff Vote to Strike Over Pay as Openreach Prep Contingency Plan

30th Jun, 2022 (44 Comments)

The Communications Workers Union (CWU), which represents c. 40,000 staff at the UK telecoms and broadband ISP giant BT (inc. Openreach), has today – following a dispute over pay – voted to hit the operator with its first national strike in 35 years. Delays to service provision are expected, unless a last minute deal can be done.

Broadband ISPs and Mobile Operators Agree UK Cost-of-Living Plan

27th Jun, 2022 (5 Comments)

The UK Government has today confirmed that the country’s biggest broadband and mobile providers have agreed to a raft of “new commitments“, which are designed to help people who may be struggling with the cost-of-living. But many of the pledges sound like those we’ve seen before, during the pandemic.

Government Moves Forward with UK ISP Internet Snooping System

27th Jun, 2022 (58 Comments)

The UK Home Office and the National Crime Agency (NCA) appear to be making progress on the development of a new internet snooping system and database, which could soon require broadband ISPs and mobile operators to provide various agencies with access to view a log of your online activity.

Ofcom – More UK Spectrum for Satellite Broadband as Starlink Expand

21st Jun, 2022 (0 Comments)

Ofcom has today proposed to make more spectrum available for satellite operators via the 14.25 – 14.5GHz “Ku band“, which they say would effectively “double the capacity available” and support “better broadband for more rural homes“, as well as connecting planes and ships. Separately, Starlink plan to add more UK earth stations.

BDUK Publish Another Batch of Gigabit Broadband Coverage Reviews

18th Jun, 2022 (17 Comments)

The Building Digital UK team has today published another round of Public Reviews (PR) for the Government’s £5bn Project Gigabit broadband rollout – this time covering West Yorkshire and Parts of North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and West of Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and Warwickshire in England.

Ofcom Add New Protections for UK Broadband and Mobile Users

17th Jun, 2022 (18 Comments)

Ofcom has reminded us that communications providers, such as those ISPs and companies offering broadband, mobile, phone and pay TV services, are today required to introduce a number of changes, including simpler contract details, more rights to exit your contract early and the introduction of an emergency video relay service.

smartphone with incoming call from unknown person

Government Sets Out New UK Penalties for Nuisance Calls and Texts UPDATE

16th Jun, 2022 (13 Comments)

The UK Government has today responded to an earlier consultation on their new Data Reform Bill (DRB) by, among other things, setting out how they’ll increase the financial penalties for those pestering people with nuisance calls and text (SMS) messages. But this probably won’t do much to stop calls made from outside the country.