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Articles for Category Tag - USO

New Report Warns Poor Broadband is Holding Back Rural England

17th January, 2017 (1 Comment)

A new report from Rural England CIC, which claims to offer independent research, networking and information exchange for the country’s many rural areas, has warned that a lack of good broadband is holding back rural consumers in some areas.

Government Considering New UK Rural Broadband Voucher Scheme

17th December, 2016 (18 Comments)

The Government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), which oversees that national Broadband Delivery UK programme, appears to be considering the possibility of a much bigger voucher scheme that would help remote communities to access and build faster broadband infrastructure.

Ofcom Reveals its Options for the UK 10Mbps Broadband USO

16th December, 2016 (6 Comments)

The national telecoms regulator has today proposed a series of options for how a new legally-binding 10Mbps broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO) could be rolled out across the United Kingdom by 2020, but it’s expensive and the final decision is down to the Government.

UK ISP BT Improves ‘Basic’ Social Phone Tariff for Low Income Users

14th December, 2016 (6 Comments)

The consumer (retail) division of BT has confirmed that their subsidised BT Basic social tariff, which is a low-cost phone service for those on low-incomes or certain state benefits, has been improved with the addition of a £10 calls cap.

NIC Calls for More Action on 5G and Criticises UK 4G Mobile Coverage

14th December, 2016 (7 Comments)

The Government’s National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) has today warned that Mobile Broadband and Mobile Voice connectivity in the United Kingdom is “languishing in the digital slow lane” and that there are still “too many digital deserts and partial not spots” with 4G coverage.

DEBill – Land Owners Demand More Details on 10Mbps Broadband USO

13th December, 2016 (4 Comments)

The Country Land and Business Association, which represents rural land owners and businesses from across England and Wales, has called on the Government to “set out clear plans” for how the new legally-binding 10Mbps Universal Service Obligation (USO) will work in practice.

Which? UK Study Finds Broadband is Essential, But 68% Suffer Problems

8th December, 2016 (8 Comments)

A new Populus survey of 2,107 UK homes from Which? has found that 90% of people view broadband as being “essential” (just below water, food, energy supply and housing), but 68% have suffered problems with their connection in the past 12 months and three in ten get sub-10Mbps speeds.

Ofcom’s Strategic Review to Rule on Future of BT Openreach Next Month

23rd November, 2016 (71 Comments)

Still not good enough, BT. The CEO of Ofcom, Sharon White, has told MPs that BT still isn’t investing enough into UK broadband infrastructure and confirmed that the regulator would “absolutely” give a final verdict on Openreach’s future in December. But the changes might have to be forced through.

UPDATE OTA Reveal Final Stumbling Blocks for BT’s UK Dark Fibre Product

2nd November, 2016 (3 Comments)

Openreach (BT) hope to publish a final reference offer for their new Dark Fibre Access (DFA) product by the end of 2016, which will give rival ISPs “physical access” to their fibre optic cables. But a recent progress update reveals that disagreements over contracts, repair times and fees have yet to be resolved.

UK Councils Seek Cheap 10Mbps Broadband Tariff for Low Income Users

20th October, 2016 (9 Comments)

The Local Government Association, which supports councils from all over England and Wales, has called for the proposed 10Mbps broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO) to include a subsidised “social tariff” so that those who are unemployed or on low incomes can get an affordable service.

BT Says – We’ll Do the 10Mbps Broadband USO Without Public Funding

12th October, 2016 (9 Comments)

BT has said that the Government can avoid imposing a tricky industry levy on ISPs or using public funding to help pay for the proposed 10Mbps broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO) because they’ll take the full responsibility, as well as pushing superfast broadband (24Mbps+) to 97-98% of the UK.

BT Openreach Cuts Price for UK Long Reach VDSL Broadband Trial

30th September, 2016 (1 Comment)

Good news for anybody likely to be taking part in Openreach’s (BT) forthcoming trial of the new “Long Reach VDSL” (FTTC) broadband technology, you can expect to receive the service free for up to 2 years. Plus there’s an indication that the top download speed might be boosted up to 55Mbps.

ISPs Fear Anti-Competitive Industry Levy to Fuel 10Mbps Broadband USO

16th August, 2016 (2 Comments)

Ofcom has published a summary of responses to their recent consultation on the introduction of a new Universal Service Obligation, which would ensure that everyone can get a broadband speed of 10Mbps by 2020. But ISPs have warned that funding this via an industry levy would be “anti-competitive“.

EU Propose Legally Binding Broadband Universal Service Obligation

30th July, 2016 (7 Comments)

The United Kingdom is already building a legally binding Universal Service Obligation (USO) for 10Mbps broadband speeds and a new leak of future EU telecoms proposals appears to confirm that the European Commission are planning to do something similar.

Local UK Councils Demand Action on 10Mbps Broadband USO Pledge

27th July, 2016 (3 Comments)

The Local Government Association, which represents 370 councils in England and Wales, has called on the Government to set out a “timetable for action” on its plans to introduce a 10Mbps Universal Service Obligation for broadband in order to avoid masses of homes being left in a “digital twilight zone.”

Rural Services Network Slaps “Disappointing” 10Mbps Broadband USO

28th June, 2016 (0 Comments)

The Government’s plan to introduce a new legally-binding 10Mbps Universal Service Obligation (USO) for broadband has been criticised by the Rural Services Network, which described the proposal as “disappointing” and highlighted further dissatisfaction with the “right to request” approach.

UK Land Owners Call for 10Mbps Broadband USO to be “enshrined in law”

22nd June, 2016 (3 Comments)

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA), which represents 33,000 land owners from across England and Wales, has called on the Government to ensure that their forthcoming 10Mbps Universal Service Obligation (USO) for broadband includes a “legal guarantee for consumer compensation” where the speed is not met.