Home » UK ISP News Archive » Article Tag: Ofcom Regulation (1765 Posts)

Articles for Category Tag - Ofcom Regulation

Ofcom UK Explore Reflective Surfaces to Boost Mobile Coverage

10th January, 2024 (10 Comments)

The UK communications regulator, Ofcom, has today published an interesting new white paper that, in collaboration with Queen Mary University of London, explores whether “reflective surfaces” could be used to cost-effectively extend the coverage of wireless broadband and mobile networks. But more research is required.

Survey Claims 2.7 Million UK People Unprepared for 3G Switch Off

4th January, 2024 (39 Comments)

A new Opinium survey of 2,000 UK adults, which was commissioned by Uswitch.com and conducted in late November 2023, has warned that 13% of mobile users still don’t know if their phone is 4G or 5G ready and 5% say they still use a 3G handset.

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Ofcom – UK Gigabit Broadband Rises to 78% as 5G Tops 85-93%

19th December, 2023 (12 Comments)

The latest Connection Nations 2023 UK digital infrastructure report has today been published by Ofcom, which finds that “gigabit-capable broadband” ISP networks now cover 78% of the UK (up from 70% in 2022), while outdoor 5G mobile cover from at least one operator is available to 85-93% of premises (up from 67-77%).

People with Vectone Mobile UK Numbers Face Ongoing Issues UPDATE

19th December, 2023 (43 Comments)

Customers who first acquired their mobile number from Vectone Mobile, which one operator says “recently ceased all UK operators“, appear to be facing ongoing problems with routeing of calls and texts after major service problems began a couple of months ago. The bad news is that a change of number may be required to fully resolve it.

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ITU Decides Upper 6GHz Band is for Mobile Broadband, Sort Of UPDATE

18th December, 2023 (17 Comments)

The ITU’s World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 came to an end last week and one of its key decisions was to announce that the Upper 6GHz radio spectrum band (6425 to 7125MHz) can be used for mobile (5G and 6G), but also allows regulators like Ofcom in the UK to exploring a hybrid approach alongside WiFi.

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Two Thirds of Councils Still Use Services Reliant on 2G and 3G Mobile

16th December, 2023 (19 Comments)

The Local Government Association, which represents councils across England and Wales, has warned that while the majority of councils are aware of the looming mobile network closures, almost two-thirds of them are still using devices and systems reliant on 2G and 3G connectivity to at least a small extent.

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ASA Enforce New Mid-Contract Price Hike Rules for UK Broadband ISPs

14th December, 2023 (8 Comments)

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) will tomorrow officially begin to enforce new guidance for how UK broadband ISPs and mobile network operators should communicate mid-contract prices hikes to consumers, which could make such policies clearer and more transparent. But it arrives as Ofcom move (here) to ban the practice.

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New UK Broadband ISP Switching System to be Delayed AGAIN

13th December, 2023 (21 Comments)

The industry-led One Touch Switching Company (TOTSCo), which is responsible for implementing Ofcom’s already heavily delayed One Touch Switch (OTS) system for broadband ISPs and consumers who want to change provider, has today warned that their revised plan to introduce it from 14th March 2024 is “no longer achievable“.

New Ofcom UK Rules to STOP Misleading Use of “Fibre” Broadband UPDATE

13th December, 2023 (57 Comments)

The UK telecoms, media and internet content regulator, Ofcom, has today introduced new guidelines that will effectively only allow broadband ISPs to use terms like “fibre” and “full-fibre” on their websites, and in contracts, if their network brings fibre optic cables all the way to your home (i.e. FTTP / FTTH).

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Ofcom Find 380,000 UK Homes on Cheaper Social Broadband Tariffs

12th December, 2023 (1 Comment)

Ofcom has today published their latest biannual UK consumer affordability report, which reveals that the take-up of cheaper social broadband ISP and mobile tariffs for those on state benefits has increased to 380,000 households (up from 220,000 six months ago). But that still represents just 8.3% of households on Universal Credit (4.6 million).

Ofcom UK BAN Some Mid-Contract Broadband and Mobile Price Hikes UPDATE6

12th December, 2023 (45 Comments)

The UK communications regulator, Ofcom, has today published the outcome of their review into whether mid-contract price hikes that are linked to inflation give mobile and broadband ISP customers enough certainty and clarity about what they can expect to pay. Suffice to say, they’re effectively banning the practice.

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Ofcom Consult on UK Telecoms Resilience and Battery Backup for Mobile Masts

8th December, 2023 (23 Comments)

Ofcom has today proposed to update their resilience guidance to provide greater clarity on how UK broadband ISPs, mobile operators and other digital network companies can “reduce the risk of network outages“. Separately, they’re also seeking feedback on the issue of inadequate power backup at mobile network sites.

Mobile Operators Sued for £3bn Due to UK Airtime Plan Overcharging

8th December, 2023 (13 Comments)

Mobile network operators including EE (BT), Vodafone, Three UK and O2 (VMO2) are facing a class action claim worth “at least” £3.285bn from consumer rights champion Justin Gutmann and the law firm Charles Lyndon, which accuses them of historically overcharging for mobile handsets beyond the end of their contractual term.

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Expectations for UK ISPs as Ofcom Move to Tackle Internet Porn

5th December, 2023 (28 Comments)

Ofcom has today set out DRAFT guidance on how “highly effective” UK internet age verification checks must be implemented to stop children from accessing online porn websites and services as part of the wider Online Safety Act. But concerns remain over user privacy, while broadband ISPs may be asked to block websites that fail to comply.

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Ofcom UK Tackle Consumer Harm Caused by Cash for Calls Schemes

1st December, 2023 (4 Comments)

The UK telecoms and media regulator, Ofcom, has today launched a new consultation that looks set to tackle the risk of consumer harm from so-called “cash for calls” schemes. This will work by making clear that revenue sharing on certain phone number ranges (e.g. 084 and 087) will not be permitted.

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Ofcom Begins Review of UK Telecoms Complaints Handlers

29th November, 2023 (13 Comments)

The UK telecoms regulator, Ofcom, has today began a review to examine whether the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) providers, which are third-party ombudsman schemes that help consumers to resolve complaints with their phone providers, broadband ISPs and mobile operators, is working effectively.

Labour Party Pledge to Protect £5bn UK Gigabit Broadband Project

29th November, 2023 (57 Comments)

Chris Bryant, the UK Labour Party’s Shadow Minister for the Creative Industries & Digital, has perhaps unsurprisingly indicated that – should the party be elected at the next General Election – they would honour the Government’s existing £5bn Project Gigabit broadband roll-out programme. But some market intervention may occur.