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Articles for Category Tag - Politics

Ed Vaizey MP Criticises TalkTalk, Sky and Vodafone for Trying to Breakup BT

14th September, 2016 (23 Comments)

The former Digital Economy Minister, Ed Vaizey MP, appears to have taken a different approach to the Government’s position after saying that he was “utterly confused” by those wanting to break-up BT, while singling out TalkTalk, Vodafone and Sky Broadband for specific criticism.

Should Broadband ISPs Kill Data Capped Packages? Like Netflix Wants

13th September, 2016 (11 Comments)

Internet video streaming giant Netflix has once again rubbed broadband ISPs up the wrong way after it effectively called for providers to scrap packages that impose data caps (usage allowances) on their subscribers. But not every house needs an “unlimited” service and not every ISP can afford to run one.

UK Councils – Residents Need Access to Local Data on Broadband Speed

13th September, 2016 (5 Comments)

The Local Government Association, which represents 370 councils across England and Wales, has called on the Government’s new Digital Economy Bill 2016-17 to nudge ISPs into sharing their broadband speed data so that consumers can more easily compare the performance of individual houses.

Surprise as EU Withdraw Fair Use Plan for FREE Mobile Roaming

12th September, 2016 (2 Comments)

The European Union’s plan to end mobile roaming charges from 15th June 2017 (i.e. any call, text or data allowances will come from your domestic plan), which will also apply to the UK until we leave in a few years’ time, has been thrown into confusion after a key part of the policy was withdrawn.

Scotland Starts Planning its 30Mbps+ Broadband for All by 2021 Goal

11th September, 2016 (9 Comments)

The Scottish Government has finally begun the formal process of setting out a plan for reaching its goal of 100% “superfast broadband” (30Mbps+) coverage by 2021, which will aim to reach an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 premises that are unlikely to benefit from their existing strategy.

UPD BT Criticised as Scottish Rural Action Seeks Better Broadband Policy

9th September, 2016 (22 Comments)

The non-profit Scottish Rural Action group has published a new report that points to “serious failings” in Scotland’s existing roll-out of “superfast broadband” services with BT and calls for 5 major policy changes, which they say would establish an “ultrafast” (300Mbps+) model for rural areas.

EU Moots Softer Fibre Optic Broadband Regulation to Boost Roll-out

8th September, 2016 (10 Comments)

A leaked document has revealed that the European Commission could be about to relax its regulation of the telecoms market (this would also affect the United Kingdom) in order to encourage the roll-out of faster broadband into rural areas, which might allow the use of state aid for closed networks.

INCA and UK ISPs Call for Near 100% FTTP Broadband Cover by 2030

8th September, 2016 (4 Comments)

The Independent Networks Co-operative Association, which represents alternative network ISPs like Sky Broadband and Gigaclear, will today publish a report that calls on the Government to set a target for 80% of the UK population to have access to a pure fibre optic FTTP/H broadband connection by 2026; and “near universal” cover by 2030.

UK Internet Providers Call for Government Support on Cyber-Security

6th September, 2016 (0 Comments)

The UK Internet Service Providers Association (ISPA) has today warned that the Government must avoid creating new regulations to tackle the challenges of cyber security. Instead ISPs say they should focus their efforts on supporting education, awareness and better training for law enforcement.

Virgin Media and Redrow Push Ultrafast Broadband into New Build Homes

5th September, 2016 (24 Comments)

Cable operator Virgin Media has today reached a new agreement with UK property developer Redrow, which will initially result in more than 13,000 homes across Tamworth, Shrewsbury and Evesham gaining access to their 300Mbps capable broadband (HFC DOCSIS / FTTP) and TV network.

EC Probe State Aid Complaint vs Buckinghamshire FTTP Broadband Project

5th September, 2016 (34 Comments)

The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Competition has opened an investigation into the Aylesbury Vale Broadband project over its use of State Aid to roll-out an ultra-fast FTTH broadband network in rural Buckinghamshire, which is despite the presence of a competing wireless network.

EE UK Lose Court Battle Over 900MHz and 1800MHz Licence Fee Hike

31st August, 2016 (4 Comments)

Mobile operator EE (BT) has suffered a blow after the High Court rejected their challenge against Ofcom’s proposed hike to annual licence fees for the 900MHz and 1800MHz radio spectrum bands. The outcome could result in price rises and threaten the Government’s £5bn deal to extend geographic mobile coverage to 90%.

Jeremy Corbyn Pledges £25bn for National UK FTTP Broadband and Mobile

30th August, 2016 (14 Comments)

The United Kingdom’s economy may be hovering just above recession but that doesn’t seem to be a problem for the Labour Party’s embattled leader, Jeremy Corbyn. He has today outlined a new “Digital Democracy Manifesto” that reveals more about his plans to upgrade national broadband and mobile connectivity.

Gleeful BT Openreach Finally Hooks-up the CLA to Fibre Broadband.. Sort Of

27th August, 2016 (5 Comments)

Openreach (BT) engineers appear to have scored a small PR coup by connecting the CLA, which represents 33,000 rural land owners from across England and Wales and often campaigns for better rural broadband (partly by criticising BT’s effort), to their superfast broadband capable FTTC service.

UK Government Help Superfast Broadband Reach 4 Million Extra Premises

25th August, 2016 (27 Comments)

The Government’s Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) programme, which is supported by £1.6bn of public investment, has released its latest progress update and confirmed that 4,021,047 additional premises can now access a “superfast broadband” (24Mbps+) service and there’s more to come.

Central Manchester Trials Bus Stops with Free WiFi and USB Chargers

24th August, 2016 (4 Comments)

Public bus transport in Manchester city centre is already quite well covered by free WiFi hotspots, but now Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has gone one further by deploying several “super” bus shelters that also offer free public WiFi connectivity and charging points for Smartphones.

2016 Audit Reveals Scotland’s Superfast Broadband Roll-out Progress

18th August, 2016 (14 Comments)

A new report from Audit Scotland, which works to ensure that public money in Scotland is spent correctly, has found that the £410m Digital Scotland roll-out programme with BT has achieved its initial coverage target. But delivering 95% “fibre broadband” coverage by December 2017 “will be more challenging.”