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Latest Key Developments

Ofcom Tells UK Phone Providers to Identify and Block Spoofed Calls

15th Nov, 2022 (13 Comments)

The UK telecoms regulator, Ofcom, has today introduced new rules that will require phone providers to crackdown on “fake phone numbers” by identifying and blocking “spoofed calls“, where feasible. The move aims to tackle a problem that, during the summer, resulted in 40.8 million people being targeted by suspicious calls and texts.

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Ofcom UK Gives Capacity Boost to Satellite Broadband Services

10th Nov, 2022 (0 Comments)

Ofcom has today published a refreshed strategy for managing radio spectrum used by the space sector, which among other things will make more spectrum frequency in the 14.25 – 14.5GHz “Ku band” available to satellite broadband operators (capacity boost) and approve new earth stations for use by Starlink and Telesat.

Openreach Launch Pilot of 1.2Gbps and 1.8Gbps FTTP Broadband Tiers

1st Nov, 2022 (96 Comments)

Openreach has today officially announced the launch of their new pilot for UK broadband ISPs, which will test faster download speeds of 1.2Gbps and 1.8Gbps on their Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) lines. The service will also be accompanied by two new optical modems (ONT) from Nokia G-010G-T and ADTRAN SDX 611Q.

Ofcom Wants to be Notified of More UK Network and Internet Disruption

1st Nov, 2022 (1 Comment)

Ofcom has proposed to update their existing Network and Information Systems (NIS) guidance in order to require that UK Operators of Essential Services (OES), such as top-level domain name registries, DNS (domain name systems) providers and IXP (internet exchange) operators, inform them of less severe outages.

Bill Proposed to Improve UK Consumer Telephone Service Standards

27th Oct, 2022 (21 Comments)

The Conservative MP, Robert Halfon, has proposed a new Private Members Bill that seeks to clampdown on utility providers (broadband ISPs, energy etc.) and “certain other services” that run telephone support lines, specifically those that make it difficult or force you to wait for ages before being able to speak with a human.

Net Neutrality – Ofcom UK Softens Open Internet Safeguards UPDATE2

21st Oct, 2022 (7 Comments)

Ofcom has today published new proposals to soften some of the UK’s existing Net Neutrality protection rules, which were established some years ago to ensure no serious blocking or slowing of access to legal websites or other internet services by broadband ISPs and mobile network operators. But there are some positive statements too.

Gov Hands Huawei Legal Notices to UK Mobile and Broadband ISPs

13th Oct, 2022 (15 Comments)

The Government has today placed their previous decision to BAN Huawei’s equipment from ultrafast 5G mobile networks (including restrictions on its use in full fibre broadband infrastructure) on more of a legal footing, which it has done by issuing legal notices to 35 telecoms network operators.

Labour Party Promises Mandatory Social Broadband ISP Tariffs

13th Oct, 2022 (40 Comments)

The UK Labour Party has proposed a new policy that would, if they won the next election, see them introduce a mandatory “industry-wide” social tariff for cheaper broadband (available to those on benefits). On top of that, they would also stop mid-contract price hikes by ISPs and reduce early termination charges for contract leavers.

Government Set to Raise Value of UK Gigabit Broadband Vouchers

10th Oct, 2022 (8 Comments)

The Government’s Building Digital UK (BDUK) team has informed ISPs of several forthcoming changes to their Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme (GBVS), which helps those in rural areas to get a gigabit-capable internet connection installed. The big news is that the maximum voucher values are to be increased.

Ofcom Autumn 2022 Study – UK Gigabit Broadband Hits 68% Cover

7th Oct, 2022 (14 Comments)

Ofcom’s autumn 2022 report into fixed broadband and mobile coverage has found that “full fibre” (FTTP) now reaches 37% of the UK, while 20.2 million homes (68%) are within reach of a gigabit-capable network and 48-64% of premises can now get outdoor 5G coverage by at least one operator.

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BDUK’s New Batch of Gigabit Broadband Coverage Reviews Adds Urban Regions

5th Oct, 2022 (11 Comments)

The Government’s (DCMS) Building Digital UK team has published a new batch of Public Reviews (PR) for their £5bn Project Gigabit broadband rollout, which covers a total of nine contractable regions in England, such as Dorset, Greater London, Merseyside and Greater Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham and more.

Mobile Giant Vodafone Confirms Merger Talks with Three UK

3rd Oct, 2022 (70 Comments)

After months of speculation, mobile network operator Vodafone UK has today confirmed that they are officially in “discussions” with Three UK’s parent (CK Hutchison Holdings) about the possibility of a merger. Such a deal would give the combined business the “necessary scale” to boost their 5G rollout and “expand” rural broadband connectivity.

Ofcom Asks Broadband ISPs to Halt Price Hikes and Offer Social Tariffs

29th Sep, 2022 (21 Comments)

Ofcom has revealed that 29% of UK households (8 million) – double last year’s 15% – are still having problems paying their phone, broadband and TV bills. In response, they’ve called on major ISPs to reconsider annual price hikes and ordered TalkTalk, Shell Energy, EE, Plusnet and Vodafone to introduce “social tariffs as soon as possible“.

GoFibre Win Project Gigabit Broadband Rollout Contract for Teesdale

29th Sep, 2022 (3 Comments)

The second Local Supplier contract under the UK Government’s new £5bn Project Gigabit broadband scheme – worth £6.6m – has today been awarded to rural ISP GoFibre (BorderLink), which will upgrade broadband for more than 4,000 hard-to-reach Teesdale premises in Northern England.

Growth Plan Hints at Planning Changes to Boost Gigabit Broadband

23rd Sep, 2022 (13 Comments)

The UK Chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng, has today published a new Growth Plan 2022, which proposes to “liberate the private sector” by encouraging investment (i.e. removing barriers to the flow of private capital) and boosting infrastructure by “liberalising the planning system and streamlining consultation and approval requirements“.

Gov Finalise Rules Mandating Gigabit Broadband for New Build Homes

23rd Sep, 2022 (8 Comments)

The UK Government has issued their response to last year’s technical consultation on changes to the existing ‘Building Regulations 2010‘, which sets out their final position on the legal framework for making it mandatory for property developers to ensure that new build homes are constructed with support for faster broadband.

BT Faces Major 4 Day UK Strike and 999 Call Handlers Join Them UPDATE

22nd Sep, 2022 (44 Comments)

The Communications Workers Union has just upped the ante in its pay dispute with broadband and telecoms giant BT (including Openreach) by announcing a third round of national strikes, which have been staggered to hit the operator over four days. But worryingly, the next strike will include hundreds of 999 emergency call handlers.