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Articles for Category Tag - Politics

A Curious Case of State Aid Fuelled Superfast Broadband Overbuild

19th October, 2018 (9 Comments)

An unusual case of overbuild has cropped up in Essex (England) after Openreach deployed a new superfast Fibre-to-the-Cabinet (FTTC) network into an area that had already gained “superfast broadband” (24Mbps+) speeds with the help of public investment and ultrafast FTTP. Both roll-outs are supported by the Superfast Essex project.

Central Lancashire Plan Fibre Broadband Rule for New Build Homes

16th October, 2018 (0 Comments)

The Central Lancashire Local Plan (development strategy), which covers the geographical areas of Preston, Chorley and South Ribble, looks set to include a new measure that would require local property developers to ensure that all new build homes have “access to Superfast Broadband from the outset.”

Survey Warns UK Website Blocking Could Trigger More ISP Switches

15th October, 2018 (4 Comments)

A new survey has warned that the Government’s increasing moves to force home broadband ISPs into censoring (blocking) internet websites could result in 64% of UK people changing their broadband provider for one that’s less intrusive.

Broadband Access Reduced UK Cinema Visits and Civic Engagement

15th October, 2018 (2 Comments)

A new IZA discussion paper has examined the impact that the early years of ADSL broadband ISP connectivity had on social capital in the UK (i.e. relationships among people who live and work in a particular society), which among other things suggests that it reduced visits to the cinema, but meeting with friends were unaffected.

Progress Update on the Broadband Voucher Schemes in Wales

13th October, 2018 (1 Comment)

The Welsh Government has confirmed to ISPreview.co.uk that since 2016 they’ve offered funding to 3,300 individual applicants under the Access Broadband Cymru (ABC) and Ultrafast Connectivity Voucher (UCV) schemes, with 1,700 of those taking advantage of the offer to improve their broadband (total of £1.2m provided).

Wales to Unveil New BT Superfast Broadband Contract Next Week UPDATE2

10th October, 2018 (4 Comments)

The Welsh Government has today confirmed that it will be making a statement on the new “superfast broadband” (30Mbps+) contract next week, which could be worth up to £200m and tentatively aims to reach an additional 88,000 premises in poorly served areas. A strong focus on “full fibre” (FTTP) connectivity is expected.

Gigaclear Admit Significant Broadband Delays in Devon and Somerset

8th October, 2018 (34 Comments)

Rural focused fibre optic ISP Gigaclear has this evening apologised after it admitted that their state aid supported roll-out of a new Gigabit capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband network in Devon and Somerset had suffered delays. As a result the deployment is now running “significantly behind schedule.”

Government Encouraging Openreach to Fibre Up UK Doctors

8th October, 2018 (11 Comments)

The UK Government’s Health Secretary, Matt Hancock MP, has said that he believes “every single GP” should have access to a “full fibre” (e.g. FTTP) broadband connection and he wants Openreach (BT) to do the heavy lifting, albeit with the help of their Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme (GBVS).

UK Digital Minister Rages Against Telcos Over Ultra Cheap Wayleaves

5th October, 2018 (2 Comments)

The on-going effort to improve rural superfast broadband and mobile network coverage has taken another twist after the UK Government’s Digital Minister, Margot James MP, said it was an “outrage” that some telecoms operators were slashing rents on their infrastructure to “derisory” low levels.

Maldon District Council May Pull Out of Essex UK Broadband Project

4th October, 2018 (15 Comments)

Trouble seems to be brewing in Maldon after councillors on the District Council’s Finance Committee were said to have voted unanimously to ask the full council to scrap its deal for helping to fund the roll-out of “superfast broadband” with Essex County Council, which would have contributed £45,000 to the effort.

NIC Examine Regulation of the UK Telecoms and Broadband Industry

3rd October, 2018 (1 Comment)

The Government’s National Infrastructure Commission has announced that they intend to conduct an examination of regulation in the UK energy, telecoms and water industries. The study will look at what future changes may be required to meet future needs, as well as any impact upon competition and investment.

The ISP industry only has itself to blame for its bad reputation – Guest Editorial

1st October, 2018 (25 Comments)

There is a perception problem in the ISP industry. And it’s certainly not getting any better. If anything, we are falling into the same traps we always have. Lessons we should already have learned are not being heeded.

BT Group Complete Transfer of 31000 UK Employees to Openreach

1st October, 2018 (13 Comments)

BT has today announced that 31,000 of their employees have officially been transferred (TUPE process) to become part of an “independent workforce” under Openreach, which is a key part of Ofcom’s requirement that the network operator become a “legally separate” company (a wholly owned subsidiary of BT plc).

CLA, NFU and Openreach Wayleave Deal Means Fast Rural Broadband UPDATE

25th September, 2018 (4 Comments)

Good news. A newly negotiated Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and wayleave (access) agreement between key UK landowners and Openreach (BT) has today been announced, which means that the telecoms giant should find it easier to extend their superfast broadband ISP network(s) into rural areas.

Delayed 4G Emergency Services Network Adopts Phased Roll-out

24th September, 2018 (3 Comments)

The UK Government appears to have finally given up on their original and much delayed deployment plan for the new £1.2bn Emergency Services Network (ESN), which will be rolled out by the Home Office using 4G technology (supported by EE, Motorola and KBR). It’s now going to take a lot longer.

Shropshire Seek to Encourage Better Broadband for New Build Houses

21st September, 2018 (7 Comments)

The Shropshire County Council is considering the introduction of an accreditation scheme for new build home developments, which would act like a checklist for planning officers and applicants in order to help “highlight the qualitative aspects of schemes that sometimes get missed,” such as the need for broadband.

Report Casts Doubt Over Scotland’s R100 Superfast Broadband Plan

20th September, 2018 (13 Comments)

The Scottish Government’s future £600m R100 strategy has come under pressure after a new 2018 report from Audit Scotland, which works to ensure that public money in Scotland is spent correctly, warned that it “will be difficult” to deliver the stated ambition of 100% “superfast broadband” (30Mbps+) coverage by 2021.