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Articles for Category Tag - Politics

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

5th December, 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.

Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland Bid for Gigabit Fibre

5th December, 2018 (0 Comments)

The North of Tyne Combined Authority has announced that it will bid for £12m of public funding from Wave 3 of the UK Government’s Local Full Fibre Networks (LFFN) fund, which could be used to extend “ultrafast broadband” (e.g. FTTP) ISP networks to connect “tens of thousands of local homes and businesses.”

Cityfibre Win Contract to Build Gigabit Fibre Network in Suffolk UK

5th December, 2018 (0 Comments)

Cityfibre has secured the £11.9m contract to build a new Gigabit (1Gbps+) capable “full fibre” broadband / Ethernet network in Suffolk (England), which will initially focus on connecting public sector sites across 10 towns before being expanded to reach local businesses and possibly homes. ISP MLL Telecom is also involved.

Ofcom to Target Better UK Mobile and Broadband Cover in 2019-20

3rd December, 2018 (2 Comments)

Ofcom has today launched a new consultation on their annual plan for 2019/20, which summarises all of the major work they intend to do next year (e.g. improving mobile coverage, new consumer protections, deciding which ISPs will deliver the 10Mbps USO for broadband and promoting investment in “fibre” networks etc.).

FTTH Council EU Issue Open Letter Calling for End to Fake Fibre Ads UPDATE

3rd December, 2018 (14 Comments)

The President of the FTTH Council Europe, Ronan Kelly, has published a new open letter to EU telecoms ministers, which calls on them to stop “misleading fibre advertising” by UK and EU broadband ISPs that offer hybrid fibre services (e.g. FTTC); these are often significantly slower and less reliable than “full fibre” (FTTH).

Scottish Borders Review Recommends Changes to Boost Broadband

30th November, 2018 (7 Comments)

The Scottish Borders Council has published a review examining the impact of the £8.4m in public investment that went into improving the local reach of “superfast broadband” (24Mbps+). This finds that the Openreach (BT) roll-out “possibly” delivered value for money, but there were “major problems with the quality of the coverage.”

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

26th November, 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).

Study – Lack of State Aid Putting Future Broadband Ambitions at Risk

22nd November, 2018 (26 Comments)

A new study from the Centre on Regulation in Europe (CERRE), which did a systematic analysis of all of the 157 broadband measures that have been notified to the European Commission by Member States (inc. UK) between 2003 and August 2018, has warned that the current level of public funding is “insufficient“.

Rural FTTH Project from the UK Wins 2018 EU Broadband Award

20th November, 2018 (0 Comments)

Congratulations are in order after the Michaelston-y-Fedw Internet CIC (Myfi) ISP project in Wales, which built its own Gigabit capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network (here), last night won the “Innovative models of financing, business and investment” category as part of the 2018 European Broadband Awards.

Survey Doubts UK’s Ability to Rollout Full Fibre Networks by 2033

19th November, 2018 (6 Comments)

The latest ISPreview.co.uk survey of 1,860 online readers has found that the vast majority of respondents (86.8%) support the Government’s aspiration for universal coverage of ultrafast “full fibre” (FTTP) broadband ISP networks by 2033, but only 43.5% believe it’s actually achievable.

Digital Minister Supports Campaign Against Fake Fibre Adverts

17th November, 2018 (4 Comments)

The UK Government’s Digital Minister, Margot James, appears to have indirectly lent support to Cityfibre’s efforts to stop slower “hybrid fibre” (FTTC, HFC DOCSIS etc.) broadband ISPs from using the same marketing terms as significantly faster “full fibre” (FTTP) providers, which the MP agreed was “misleading advertising.“

Maldon Council Resolve Standoff Over £45K Funding for Broadband

16th November, 2018 (0 Comments)

An attempt by the Maldon District Council’s Finance Committee to block £45,000 of funding for the local roll-out of “superfast broadband” (24Mbps+), which is being conducted alongside Essex County Council UK, has been stopped after members of the district council voted against the committee’s decision.

Ofcom Satisfied with Openreach Split from BT, But Fibre Needs Work

15th November, 2018 (3 Comments)

The UK telecoms regulator has today issued an update on Openreach’s legal separation from BT. Overall they were “broadly satisfied with progress,” although Ofcom still wants to see more progress being made on improving “full fibre” (FTTP) and general broadband ISP connectivity.

UK Gov Delays Internet Porn Block and Targets Social Media Sites

14th November, 2018 (8 Comments)

The government has revealed that its new Age Verification system, which will be targeted at commercial websites and “apps” that contain pornographic content (broadband ISPs will be expected to block any that don’t comply), will not now be introduced until Easter 2019. But in the future Twitter may also be targeted.

FTTH Council Europe Calls for End to Misleading Fibre Broadband Ads

14th November, 2018 (6 Comments)

The FTTH Council Europe has today welcomed a vote by the European Parliament to approve the new European Electronic Communications Code (EECC), which could boost investment in “full fibre” (FTTP/H) broadband and 5G mobile. But they also called on the EU to get tough on “fake fibre” marketing by ISPs.

Telecoms Operators Win Key UK Court Case Over Building Access

13th November, 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.

High Demand Causes UK Gov to Reduce Gigabit Broadband Vouchers UPDATE

12th November, 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.