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Latest Key Developments

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“.

Hyperoptic Get £500m to Bring Forward 1Gbps UK Broadband Rollout

7th Nov, 2018 (17 Comments)

City focused “full fibre” (FTTP/B) broadband ISP Hyperoptic has announced a significant equity raise with the investment arm of the Government of Abu Dhabi (Mubadala Investment Company), which in total means they will now have £500m to help them bring forward their roll-out to reach 2 million UK premises by 2021.

Ofcom Try Again for Openreach UK Dark Fibre and Unrestricted PIA

2nd Nov, 2018 (13 Comments)

The UK telecoms regulator has today begun consulting on their new Business Connectivity Market Review 2018/19 (BCMR), which among other things is proposing “unrestricted access” to Openreach’s (BT) cable ducts / telegraph poles to boost fibre broadband. It will also try again to impose a Dark Fibre Access (DFA) product.

Autumn UK Budget 2018 Confirms £200m+ for Rural Full Fibre

29th Oct, 2018 (30 Comments)

The Government’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond MP, has today set out his autumn 2018 budget and confirmed that he will inject an “additional” £200m+ to help “full fibre” broadband ISP networks reach rural areas. He also set out policy proposals to encourage FTTP for new build homes and existing apartments.

Openreach Slash FTTP Broadband Prices for More New Build Homes

25th Oct, 2018 (14 Comments)

Openreach (BT) has announced that they will drop the price of their 1Gbps Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) based ultrafast broadband ISP network infrastructure by 75% for new homes in the UK (focus on smaller developers), which aims to “encourage house builders to provide all new homes with full fibre“.

Scotland Seek Narrow Trenching Standard for Broadband Rollout

24th Oct, 2018 (1 Comment)

The Scottish Government is consulting on changes to Section 130 of the New Road & Street Works Act 1991, which seeks to create a uniform technical standard for “narrow trenching“. This could encourage greater use of the technique by broadband network builders and better safeguards across Scotland’s 33 road authorities.

Cityfibre Get £2.5bn to Build FTTH Broadband to 5 Million UK Homes

24th Oct, 2018 (46 Comments)

They’ve done it. Fibre optic network builder Cityfibre has announced that their backers have agreed to establish a £2.5bn fund, which will help the operator extend their 1Gbps capable Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH/P) broadband ISP network to cover 5 million premises in 37 UK cities and towns by 2025.

Welsh Government Award £13m Fibre Broadband Contract to BT UPDATE5

23rd Oct, 2018 (18 Comments)

The Welsh Government has today announced that BT (Openreach) have won LOT 1 and LOT 3 of the new Phase 2 Superfast Cymru contract, which will initially work to expand “fast broadband” (FTTP dominated) ISP network coverage to reach an additional 16,000 premises by the end of March 2021.