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Latest Key Developments

CMA Seek Urgent Action to Tackle Mobile and Broadband Loyalty Penalties

19th Dec, 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 Dec, 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 Dec, 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 Dec, 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 Dec, 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 Dec, 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 Dec, 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 Dec, 2018 (21 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 Dec, 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 Dec, 2018 (16 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.

Ofcom Propose BT and KCOM to Deliver 10Mbps UK Broadband USO UPDATE

5th Dec, 2018 (33 Comments)

As predicted Ofcom has today proposed that BT and KCOM should be designated as the official Universal Service Providers (USP) for the Government’s new “legally binding” Universal Service Obligation (USO), which from 2020 will make it possible for those in slow speed areas to request a broadband speed of at least 10Mbps.

£6.85bn for UK Broadband and 5G Infrastructure Upgrades by 2021

26th Nov, 2018 (0 Comments)

The Government has today published their ‘National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline’ report, which reveals the scale of public and private investment that is underway or expected to be put toward 5G mobile and broadband ISP connectivity (especially full fibre FTTP) between 2018/19 and 2020/21 (financial year).

Openreach List 81 New UK Areas for G.fast Ultrafast Broadband UPDATE

26th Nov, 2018 (87 Comments)

A further 81 new locations have today (November 2018 update) been confirmed as the next to benefit from Openreach’s (BT) roll-out of 330Mbps capable hybrid fibre G.fast “ultrafast broadband” ISP technology, which aims to cover 5.7 million UK homes and businesses by the end of 2020 (March 2021 financial year).

Telecoms Operators Win Key UK Court Case Over Building Access

13th Nov, 2018 (10 Comments)

The UK Government’s revised Electronic Communications Code, which is designed to make it easier and cheaper for broadband ISPs and mobile operators to build their networks, has passed an important hurdle after a court ruled that CTIL (O2 and Vodafone) could force access to land in order to conduct a survey.

EE Name First 16 UK Cities for 2019 Commercial 5G Mobile Rollout

13th Nov, 2018 (30 Comments)

Mobile operator EE (BT) has today named the first UK cities to benefit from their commercial roll-out of ultrafast multi-Gigabit capable 5G mobile and wireless home broadband technology, which is due to begin later next year. Naturally London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast are on the list.

High Demand Causes UK Gov to Reduce Gigabit Broadband Vouchers UPDATE

12th Nov, 2018 (24 Comments)

The government has today revealed that 7,000 UK businesses and surrounding homes have taken advantage of their £67m Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme (GBVS), but strong demand means they now expect the funding to dry up a year sooner than expected. In response the top voucher values have been cut to £2,500.

More Spectrum Opens for UK Ultrafast Fixed Wireless Connectivity

8th Nov, 2018 (2 Comments)

Ofcom has today announced that they will be imminently releasing more radio spectrum in the licence exempt 57-71GHz bands, which they suggest could be used to help deliver fixed wireless broadband and 5G style connections at potentially “fibre-like speeds“.