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Articles for Category Tag - Ofcom Regulation

Ofcom UK Aim Next 5G Mobile Spectrum Auction at January 2021

3rd August, 2020 (9 Comments)

The UK telecoms regulator has today confirmed that their much delayed auction of the 700MHz and 3.6-3.8GHz radio spectrum bands, which could boost new 5G mobile network coverage and mobile broadband speeds further into the Gigabit (1000Mbps+) territory, will not now take its first bids until January 2021.

3d rendering of optical fiber cable by 123rf

Ofcom to Help BT Fibre Rollout Reach 3.2 Million Rural Premises UPDATE

29th July, 2020 (74 Comments)

Ofcom has proposed to change their UK regulation as a result of Openreach’s (BT) recent commitment to extend their Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband ISP network to a further 3.2 million rural properties, which will allow the operator to include these investment costs in its prices upfront.

Hands holding british pound coin and small money pouch

More Big UK Home Broadband ISPs Commit to Fairer Pricing

28th July, 2020 (2 Comments)

Industry regulator Ofcom has today secured new commitments from UK ISPs EE, Plusnet and Sky Broadband to reduce prices automatically for “vulnerable customers” who are out of contract, which mirrors a similar move agreed last year with BT, TalkTalk and Virgin Media. Savings of £270m are forecast.

Ofcom Adds 39GHz as Option for Supplying WiFi on UK Trains

27th July, 2020 (9 Comments)

Ofcom has today updated their advice to the UK Government on spectrum bands suitable for providing “trackside to train connectivity,” which adds the 39GHz band as a possible option. In the future this could be used to support on-board ultrafast broadband capable WiFi access points or mobile (4G, 5G) small cells for commuters.

Ofcom UK Opens 6GHz Radio Band for Use in Faster Home Wi-Fi

24th July, 2020 (12 Comments)

The UK telecoms regulator, Ofcom, has today made it possible for future home WiFi networks to harness 500MHz of radio spectrum frequency in the new 6GHz band, which will significantly boost the speed of licence-exempt indoor home wireless networks (i.e. via the Wi-Fi 6/6E – 802.11ax standard).

Bundle of optical fibers with lights in the ends. Blue background.

New Network Operator 5ibre Plans UK FTTP Broadband Rollout

23rd July, 2020 (10 Comments)

A new “full fibre” network builder called 5ibre has popped up in the UK market, complete with an intention to deploy their new Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) and Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) network in “areas currently not served by such networks, typically areas served only by [Openreach’s] copper access network.”

New Ofcom Guidelines for Fair Treatment of Vulnerable UK People

23rd July, 2020 (0 Comments)

At present the COVID-19 crisis has shown that phone, pay TV and broadband ISPs have adopted different approaches for how they deal with “vulnerable customers” (i.e. those suffering from financial, health or emotional problems). Ofcom has today produced new guidelines that attempt to standardise how the market tackles such issues.

uk map broadband mobile isp computer network

Big UK Rule Changes to Boost Gigabit Broadband and 5G Rollout

22nd July, 2020 (30 Comments)

The UK Government has today confirmed a series of changes to both the Electronic Communications Code (ECC) and Mobile infrastructure planning, which when taken together are intended to help boost the on-going deployment of both “gigabit-capable” broadband and 5G mobile networks (as well as the Shared Rural Network).

Ofcom Joins UK Wireless Internet Service Providers Association

22nd July, 2020 (2 Comments)

The UK communications regulator, Ofcom, has joined the UK Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (UKWISPA) trade body, which the organisation says is helping to show that the regulator is “recognising fixed wireless as a mainstream broadband service to the public.”

Ofcom Propose Tweaks and Dark Fibre for KCOM in Hull UK

16th July, 2020 (2 Comments)

After a bit of a COVID-19 delay. Ofcom has today opened a review of regulation on KCOM’s network in the Hull (East Yorkshire) area, which last year completed the roll-out of a new gigabit Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband service across their entire network and is now expanding beyond that footprint.

Ofcom Calls on UK Telecoms Firms to Extend COVID-19 Billing Support

3rd July, 2020 (3 Comments)

The UK communications and media regulator, Ofcom, has this week called on broadband ISPs, phone providers and mobile operators to “continue to support” consumers who may be struggling to pay their bills as a result of the on-going Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Lords Tell UK Gov to Stop Pandemic of Internet Misinformation

29th June, 2020 (9 Comments)

A new cross-party report from the House of Lords Digital Technologies Committee has called on the UK Gov to ensure that their future Online Harms Bill can tackle the rising “pandemic of misinformation” on the internet, which they warn is a “threat” to democracy. More censorship and blocking by broadband ISPs is proposed.

Complaints Handler Ombudsman Services Returns to Normal

25th June, 2020 (2 Comments)

Consumer complaints handler firm Ombudsman Services, which is an Ofcom approved Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) provider for UK broadband ISPs and mobile operators, has announced that it will return to normal requirements and timelines at the beginning of July 2020, following the COVID-19 crisis.

O2 UK Finally Refunds Mobile Customers.. AFTER 15 YEARS

25th June, 2020 (23 Comments)

Mobile operator O2 (Telefonica UK) has refunded a number of their customers for over-charging following a double “billing issue“, which wouldn’t be nearly so interesting if it wasn’t for the fact that the problem itself occurred over 10 years ago (i.e. some refunds are from as far back as 15 years). Better late than never? That’s a stretch.

copper vs fibre optic openreach engineer

Ofcom Consults on Openreach UK Copper Retirement Process

25th June, 2020 (52 Comments)

The UK telecoms regulator has today opened a short consultation on their proposal to push back some key decisions regarding the retirement process for Openreach’s (BT) copper lines in favour of fibre optic broadband. In short, Ofcom wants to see a bit more FTTP roll-out take place first (for experience), before they set out a final plan.

Fiber optical cable detail isolated on white background

Orbital Net and New ISP MGMT Plan UK FTTP Broadband Rollout

19th June, 2020 (4 Comments)

Fixed wireless access provider Orbital Net (Vfast) and new entrant MGMT have separately today both revealed that they’re developing plans for future roll-outs of a gigabit-capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network, albeit in different parts of England and Scotland. Both intend to target areas that are currently poorly served.

Ofcom’s Former General Counsel Jumps Ship to Cityfibre UK UPDATE

1st June, 2020 (4 Comments)

Urban focused UK full fibre network builder Cityfibre has managed to snatch away one of Ofcom’s top legal professionals in the shape of Polly Weitzman, the regulator’s current General Counsel with extensive experience in the field of telecoms regulation and law.