Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Edinburgh-based UK alternative network GoFibre, which is building a gigabit broadband (FTTP) network across remote rural parts of Scotland and Northern England, has allocated a further pot of £12,000 to their GoFurther community fund for projects and organisations in the Scottish Borders area.

The GoFurther Fund currently offers grants of up to £3,000 to help local charity projects and community organisations in the Scottish Borders and other areas. The latest funding pot is open to applicants whose projects meet one or more of four criteria: Environmental Benefit, Community Wellbeing, Education and Skills, or Internet Safety and Digital Inclusion. Applications close at 5pm on Wednesday 31st January 2026.

The operator currently expects to deploy their new full fibre based broadband network to reach a footprint of 250,000 premises “in the next 3 years“ (i.e. around mid-2028) and they’re home to a total of 10,597 customers.

Neil Conaghan, CEO of GoFibre, said:

“Bringing the GoFurther Fund back to the Borders feels like continuing our story right where it began, as we expand our network in the region. This area has always been at the heart of everything we do, and we’re proud to be a Borders-born business that’s not only building the broadband network, but also investing in the people who make these communities special.”

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

A new report from the cross-party House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee has warned that “unacceptable” delays caused by the Building Safety Regulator’s (BSR) approval processes are leaving residents waiting for remediation of dangerous cladding in unsafe buildings, causing increased costs for leaseholders and also impacting the roll-out of new digital infrastructure.

The idea of improving safety for building works, particularly the largest residential buildings (i.e. blocks of flats / Multi-Dwelling Units – MDU), is all well a good. But the issue here is that delays in the Building Safety Regulator’s (BSR) related processes for minor works have been starting to cause wider problems and pushing up costs, often unpredictably.

“We also heard evidence from witnesses in the telecommunications sector that they were experiencing delays in installing full-fibre broadband and mobile infrastructure since the establishment of the BSR and its slow processing of applications for minor works, potentially risking digital connectivity for households living in higher-risk buildings,” said the full report.

The problems referenced above were recently touched on by Hyperoptic, which specialises in deploying FTTP/B networks into MDUs. “These regulations have introduced new processes for connecting buildings over seven storeys or 18 metres, and we are in constructive discussions with the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government to ensure we have the clarity needed to continue delivering safe, compliant connections for residents,” said a spokesperson for the provider when announcing more job cuts (here).

Key findings of the report

After hearing from a range of witnesses including representatives of campaign groups and other organisations, developers, housing associations and regulators which work closely with the BSR, the Committee also found:

• The BSR has not given clear enough guidance on how applicants are supposed to demonstrate that their buildings are safe;
• Many applications are being rejected or delayed due to basic errors and applicants’ inability to evidence how they are considering elements of fire and structural safety, which reflects poorly on the construction industry;
• Many construction products do not have relevant product standards, leaving them entirely unregulated;
• Difficulties in local authority funding and the introduction of regulation have left an ageing workforce of building inspectors who are struggling to meet demand;
• Despite these skills shortages, smaller works such as bathroom renovations in high-rise buildings are being subject to the scrutiny of the BSR’s hard-pressed multidisciplinary teams.

The report goes on to warn that the Government could also be in danger of “missing its target” to build 1.5 million homes by 2029 unless it gets to grips with the problem.

Chair of the Committee, Baroness Taylor of Bolton, said:

“The tragic loss of 72 lives at the Grenfell Tower fire laid bare the urgent need to reform building safety regulation in England, particularly for high-rise buildings. The introduction of the Building Safety Regulator was a necessary and welcome step.

However, the scale of the delays caused by the BSR has stretched far beyond the regulator’s statutory timelines for building control decisions. This is unacceptable. We welcome that the Government and the BSR are now acting to try and make practical improvements, but this will not address the anxiety and frustration that residents and companies have experienced.

It does not improve safety to delay vital remediation and refurbishments, nor to deter the delivery of new housing in high-rise buildings. We expect to see further action from the Government and the BSR to ensure that construction projects in high-rise buildings can be brought forward more quickly, without compromising on vital safety improvements.”

Andrew Kernahan, Head of Public Affairs, Internet Services Providers’ Association (ISPA UK), said:

“Today’s report from the House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee rightly recognises that delays in the Building Safety Regulator’s (BSR) processes for minor works risk undermining digital connectivity for households in higher‑risk buildings. The telecoms industry recognises the importance of both building safety and digital connectivity, and with 72% of people saying it is important that internet providers continue to invest in infrastructure upgrades, it is vital that regulation enables, rather than delays, gigabit broadband rollout.

We welcome that the Committee has reflected our recommendation that Government remove smaller works, where approvals are needed, from the BSR’s building control approval processes or introduce a streamlined route. The report also echoes our submission on the delays our sector is facing in installing gigabit broadband infrastructure into high-risk buildings. We will continue working with Government, regulators and stakeholders to secure safe, reliable broadband for residents in higher‑risk buildings.”

The issue(s) for digital infrastructure providers have already been well covered in the ISPA’s written submission (here), which estimated that “800,000 households within [High-Rise Buildings] could be left without access to the connectivity they need in the near future” unless the problems are addressed. Mobile UK has also raised similarly concerns for the ongoing roll-out and upgrade of 5G, 6G networks etc. (here).

Core Recommendations of the Report

• The BSR to give greater guidance to its [multidisciplinary teams] MDTs on how compliance with the Building Regulations should be evidenced and assessed to ensure greater consistency;
• The Government to remove smaller works from the BSR’s building control approval processes, or introduce a streamlined approval process for them;
• The BSR to allocate the same MDTs to similar buildings or projects built by the same organisation, which could improve efficiency and consistency;
• The Government to provide long-term funding for the training of new building and fire inspectors.

The challenge for the government will be in how they effectively soften the rules, assuming they choose to do that, while at the same time trying to avoid the risk of weaker building safety.

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Business ISP Baltic Broadband, which has long offered a mix of fixed wireless and full fibre broadband network connectivity to firms in the Liverpool area, has hinted at a possible expansion of their 100Gbps capable network to reach 2,000 more business premises located in offices, and business estates over the next 12-months or so.

In order to do this, the operator is first seeking Code Powers from Ofcom, which are typically pursued to help speed-up deployments of new fibre optic networks and cut costs, not least by reducing the number of licences needed for street works. The powers can also help with supporting access to run new fibre via Openreach’s (BT) existing cable ducts and poles (PIA) – something Baltic do plan to harness.

The application doesn’t reveal much, but it does that the provider has already reached “approximately 50 premises currently” and has further plans to reach “2,000 more premises in the first twelve months“, if granted Code Powers. The application does talk a bit about rural and residential connectivity, but Baltic doesn’t shy away from the fact that their main focus is still on business lines.

Extract from the Code Powers Application

The Applicant is seeking Code powers to deliver electronic communications services to both rural and urban areas, providing communities with internet protocol virtual networking using internet protocol multiprotocol label switching and wireless internet.

The Applicant has outlined that its primary focus is to provide 100 Mbps to 100 Gbps speeds to business customers located in offices, and business estates (for example multi-tenanted office buildings).

The Applicant notes that antennas and masts would be deployed in key locations to provide a resilient and diverse route, either as an alternative to or in conjunction with fibre. These antennas and masts would form the core components of the proposed network.

The Applicant’s operates data centres and core network sites across cities and towns throughout the United Kingdom, initially including; Liverpool, Manchester and London with plans to expand further over time.

Hopefully more details will emerge in the future. Ofcom rarely rejects such applications.

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Broadband provider Airband, which has deployed both Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) and Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) based networks to cover various rural parts of Wales and South West England, last night won the ‘Connected Communities Award’ for their gigabit wireless service at the World Communication Awards 2025.

The award reflects Airband’s recent move to embrace evolving millimetre wave (mmWave) solutions in the 60GHz band, which enabled them to offer a “hyperfast 1Gbps wireless broadband” product to rural homes covered by the newly upgraded network, such as in parts of Shropshire and Wrexham (here).

The provider has previously stated that their network spans “more than 440,000 premises in over 200 communities across 7 counties“ (here), which we were told breaks down as being 175,000 premises via “fibre” (FTTP) and 265,000 premises via wireless (FWA) – all Ready for Service. The provider also expects to end 2025 with 30,000 customers.

However, today’s announcement states that Airband’s array of new network points means that “over 200,000 properties can now access faster broadband speeds“, which we assume forms part of their 265,000 total for FWA coverage.

Kash Rahman, CEO of Airband, said:

“As a business specialising in connecting communities, we know that fibre isn’t always the answer and have focused on developing our gigabit capable range of products which provide hyper-fast broadband access no matter where you live. Connecting communities is at the heart of everything we do, so it’s incredibly meaningful to be recognised on a global stage for the impact we’re making.

Winning the World Communication Award is a big deal for Airband because it’s one of the most respected global awards in the telecoms and connectivity industry. It recognises innovation, impact, and excellence on an international stage. For Airband, it validates the quality of our gigabit capable FWA technology, our commitment to bridging the digital divide, and our success compared to major global players. It’s a truly special award because it’s judged by industry experts, highly competitive, and only given to organisations delivering standout achievements in communications worldwide.”

The World Communication Awards are judged by a large, independent panel of experts drawn from across the global telecoms’ ecosystem.

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Carlisle-based broadband ISP Grain, which in July 2025 secured a £225 million funding boost to continue their UK network expansion (here), has announced that they’ve begun to expand their Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) lines across the North West Leicestershire (England) town of Coalville; home to around 38,000 people.

The town itself is already covered by gigabit-capable broadband from both Virgin Media (inc. nexfibre) and Openreach’s respective full fibre networks. On top of that, there are a few smaller deployments from Hyperoptic and Glide, although it’s unclear how much of the latter involves full fibre. But it does appear as if there might just be enough space for another provider to enter the competitive local market.

The announcement states that “the first lucky customers will be getting switched on as soon as early Spring 2026,” although it doesn’t reveal anything much about Grain’s local deployment plan. But data from local street works suggests that most of the initial roll-out activity will be taking place in the areas around Owen Street, Gutteridge Street and Highfield Street on the central west side of the town

The operator’s point-to-point fibre optic broadband network is currently home to over 43,000 customers and covers 270,000 UK premises (aiming to reach 600,000 in the future).

Richard Cameron, Grain’s CEO, said:

“We’re not just delivering faster internet; we are also saving customers a significant amount on their monthly broadband bill. Whether you’re streaming your favourite shows, working from home or gaming, we’re helping to build a more connected Coalville.”

Customers can normally expect to pay from just £16.99 per month on an 18-month term for symmetric speeds of 150Mbps (including a router and free installation), which rises to £22.99 for their 1Gbps tier. But we understand that those in Wigan may be able to benefit from slightly lower “early-bird” prices, starting at £14.99 for 150Mbps etc.

Grain doesn’t state precisely how many premises in the town they expect to cover or when the roll-out will complete, although it is a location that should be big enough to sustain an additional altnet.

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Consumer energy, broadband, mobile and insurance provider UW (Utility Warehouse), which is ultimately controlled by Telecom Plus, has recently become the latest virtual mobile network operator (mvno) to start introducing eSIM (Embedded SIM) support to their service.

Just to recap. The eSIM standard is an alternative to physical SIM cards, which works by essentially embedding a digital SIM into your device (Smartphone) that could – once fully implemented – make it easier and quicker to switch between operators (e.g. not having to wait for a SIM card to arrive) and to use additional networks alongside your main mobile service (e.g. eSIMs for travel when abroad).

The roll-out appears to have started a few weeks ago and has been going in three phases. The first phase enabled existing UW mobile customers to choose an eSIM when requesting a replacement, which was later extended to existing customers that wanted either a new or replacement SIM.

The final phase, which at first glance doesn’t appear to have completed yet, will also allow new customers to choose an eSIM during sign-up. Credits to one of ISPreview’s members (xEl-Capitanx) for spotting the development (here).

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Sky (Sky Broadband) has recently continued their gradual move away from satellite-based Pay TV services by withdrawing their Sky Q kit and service from online sales. New customers are instead being directed to take the company’s latest broadband-based Sky Glass (Sky integrated streaming TV set) and Sky Stream (streaming set-top-box) solutions.

Both Sky Glass and Sky Stream are standalone products that use your home broadband ISP and WiFi connection to stream Sky’s on-demand video content and live TV channels (i.e. without any need for a tedious satellite dish). Despite this, many users often still prefer the experience they get with Sky Q, particularly for key features like live TV recording (Glass and Stream use a cloud-based recording feature that has some caveats).

The big change now, as noted by some of our readers (here), is that Sky have removed the option for new customers to order Sky Q online, although it still appears to be available to those who place an order via the phone or in-store (we suspect Sky’s agents will still try to discourage you from it). Instead, the Sky Q page now states: “We’ve unplugged Sky Q. Plug in Sky Stream for less.”

This is not the first time that Sky Q has done a disappearing act online, but on this occasion the language appears much more confident that it won’t be returning. None of this should come as much of a surprise, as this has clearly been Sky’s direction of travel for some time, although for now it is at least still possible to get Sky Q if you really want it. But that seems unlikely to last for too much longer.

Original article Total Telecom:Read More

LMT has long ceased to be just a mobile network operator, but rather an ICT company that offers exportable solutions. Now, LMT is purposefully shifting into a multi-sector technology company ecosystem – the LMT Group. The Group comprises several companies and branches, including LMT IoT, LMT Defence, LMT Systems, LMT Retail & Logistics, LMT Finance, LMT Innovations, and Santa Monica Networks.

LMT Group’s strategic diversification is firmly rooted in its historical engineering DNA, which originated with the founding team from Latvia’s largest and oldest radio electronics company. This capability led the company to launch innovation projects across verticals like defense, IoT, and mobility. The result of this proactive strategy is a substantial change to the company’s portfolio – communications now accounts for 50% of total business volume, with the other half generated by these new strategic directions.

“Being a telecommunications operator in a relatively small European market limits the number of customers available. Thus, LMT’s growth depends on diversification. A seminal moment was the introduction of 5G. There were significant industrial promises about its capabilities, yet no one had actually seen it deployed. This gap became the biggest driver of our innovation strategy. Today, we find ourselves moving beyond ‘soft’ services and IT integrations toward physical products. We repeatedly encounter critical unmet market needs that force us to build the solutions ourselves. This was the exact challenge that led to our IoT shortcut,” says Ingmārs Pūķis, VP & Member of the Management Board at LMT.

The latest LMT Group product – the recently launched IoT Shortcut – is the smallest mobile data module in the world for sensor equipment, offering universal connectivity options for any manufacturer’s IoT devices worldwide. IoT Shortcut enables quick integration of a mobile data connection across a wide range of sensor equipment. A significant added value is the software created by the LMT Group, which automates data processing, integration, and connectivity, and provides cloud data services with a customizable customer platform and application. The module also features very low energy consumption, ensuring the sensor device’s battery lasts up to 10 years.

The module is currently being tested, and confirmed partners include the wireless sensor manufacturer SAF Tehnika, the bark beetle activity monitoring software Spruceful, and the construction monitoring specialist Adventum Tech.

The IoT Shortcut team is also in negotiations with Europe’s largest chip manufacturer, German concern Infineon Technologies AG. Planned cooperation involves integrating the LMT module into Infineon Edge AI solutions. This technology will allow local, on-device AI data processing, which will significantly reduce data transmission volume, improve reaction speed, and extend battery life for IoT sensor devices.

About LMT Group

LMT Group has evolved from Latvia’s leading mobile communication operator, LMT, into a technology innovation leader and a multi-sector technology company ecosystem. As a market leader in Latvia, LMT offers a full spectrum of high-quality telecommunication services for diverse market segments, including civilian, business, academia, and military. It transforms the 5G network into advanced solutions, focusing on defence and national security technologies, smart cities, IoT platforms, sensors, and mobility. The LMT Group unites companies such as Latvian Mobile Telephone (LMT), LMT Retail & Logistics, LMT Finance (Latvia’s first TechFin company), and the IT solutions company Santa Monica Networks.

Original article Total Telecom:Read More

World Communication Awards

Total Telecom is thrilled to unveil the exceptional winners of the 2025 World Communication Awards (WCAs)

For over two decades, the WCAs has been the definitive global benchmark for technological excellence and industry leadership. With a rigorous, independent review panel of over 80 judges, the WCAs ensure that every award recognises genuine, real-world impact and future-defining innovation that is transforming the global telecom ecosystem.

This year’s Award winners celebrate companies, big and small, from all around the world, that are going above and beyond for their customers.

A huge congratulations to all of our worthy winners, all of which can be found below:

5G Award

Winner: Singtel, in partnership with Ericsson, for Singtel 5G+

This year’s 5G Award category saw an incredibly strong field, showing 5G finally coming of age.

The Singtel successfully redefined network value by utilising slicing, including integrating a Security-as-a-Slice feature that is actively blocking over 6.6 million threats monthly for its customers.

The judges said the entry showed “the democratization of consumer network slicing, turning a technical capability into everyday customer value.”

(Silver Award: KT, AICT Company) 

Access Innovation

Winner: Ericsson and Telstra for the world’s first 5G triple-band FDD Massive MIMO

The Access Innovation category represents the pinnacle of engineering ingenuity, showcasing innovation in the competitive race to build next-generation networks.

The winning solution from Ericsson, used by Telstra, replaces multiple legacy radios with a single unit, dramatically boosting capacity while simplifying network deployment and reducing power consumption.

The judges described the technical innovation as “exceptionally strong” and noted its importance as a foundation for future RAN intelligence.

(Silver Award: Rakuten Symphony, Rakuten Site Management’s Fiber Manager) 

AI Innovation

Winner: Jio Platforms for JioBrain

The AI Innovation category showcases the cutting edge of network intelligence, recognising the transformative impact AI is having on the telecoms industry.

The JioBrain was a standout entry. Built entirely in-house, the solution is already processing a massive 350 billion data points daily across Jio’s operations. The scale of its results was highly impressive, delivering 40% fewer outages, 30% lower OPEX, and 20% higher ARPU across 200+ million 5G users.

(Silver Award: Chunghwa Telecom)

Best Digital Transformation Programme

Winner: Ericsson and IOH for their Digital Monetization Platform

This Award celebrates projects that tackle complexity head-on, delivering profound and measurable improvements to both operations and customer experience.

Ericsson and Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison successfully unified a highly fragmented BSS landscape, migrating over 88 million subscribers to a single, end-to-end digital monetisation platform.

This solution not only improved service innovation and process agility but also opened up vital new revenue streams for IOH.

(Silver Award: Jazz and Huawei)

Best Network Evolution Initiative

Winner: Colt Technology Services for their global Optical network

This category celebrates vision and ambition when it comes to network design. Colt demonstrated a highly innovative, multi-faceted approach to network evolution, leading trials on quantum-safe network security while also delivering Terabit-scale capacity at a global scale.

The judges praised this comprehensive approach, suggesting the company is leading the way with their preparation for a post-quantum world.

(Silver Award: Telefónica Global Solutions)

Best operator in a Growth Market

Winner: Lumitel

The Best Operator in a Growth Market category celebrates operators who successfully navigate the myriads of unique challenges presented by developing markets.

According to one judge, Lumitel presented “an extraordinary example of how a telecom operator can transform one of the world’s most challenging markets [Burundi] into a digitally connected society”, adding that the operator had “not only met but exceeded its objectives, proving that connectivity can be a lifeline for national progress.”

(Silver Awards: Smart Axiata)

Best Wholesale Operator

Winner: Orange Wholesale

This was a highly competitive category, bringing together network giants from around the world.

Orange Wholesale showed remarkable agility in handling their customers’ evolving needs, building unique solutions leveraging technologies from eSIM to satellite. This is a global leader that has evolved its business model through a strong blend of customer-led innovation, technology deployment, and collaborative partnerships.

(Silver Award: Colt Technology Services, Wholesale SIP) 

Beyond Connectivity Award

Winner: VEON for JazzCash

This category celebrates companies that go above and beyond for their customers, delivering value and support far outside the scope of their traditional business.

The JazzCash mobile money platform is doing just that, playing a key role in the lives of 48 million people in Pakistan, supporting financial inclusion and driving the national economy. The judges praised the solution’s broad impact, calling it a “great case of going beyond connectivity to deliver systemic change” and building a solution of national importance.

(Silver Award: PT Telkomsel)

Cloud Award

Winner: Jio Platforms for its Cloud Platforms and Private MEC

According to one of the judges, Jio Platforms entry for this category showed the company had “raised the bar in telco cloud innovation, offering a unique solution that is as wide-reaching as it is specialised”.

With a combination of sovereign design, massive real-world deployment, measurable business and customer outcomes, and proven sustainability, this entry was the clear winner in this category.

(Silver Award: Rakuten Symphony for Rakuten Cloud) 

Connected Communities Award

Winner: Airband for its next generation Fixed Wireless Access

This category celebrates agile providers who use cutting-edge technology to connect communities left behind by traditional infrastructure rollout.

Airband has showed impressive progress in this regard, with its upgraded Fixed Wireless Access solution offering a ten-fold improvement on its previous iteration. The judges were highly impressed by the “genuine technological innovation” on show and the scale of the impact being achieved for underserved communities.

(Silver Award: Fibrus)

Crisis Response Award

Winner: Palestine Telecommunications Company – Jawwal

This category celebrates those companies that continue to support their customers in exceptionally difficult circumstances.

This Jawwal  has showed incredible resilience and operational agility in keeping connectivity available for customers despite 80% of its network being damaged and 2 million people being displaced. From the deployment of FWA to the reuse of copper networks, this organisation continues to demonstrate significant technical skill and flexibility in keeping its customers online.

(Silver Award: Prima Limited, ICN1 Earthquake crisis response in Vanuatu)

Cyber Security Award

Winner: Jio Platforms for its Quantum-Safe Security Suite

This award recognises the critical importance of future-proofing digital infrastructure by addressing both current and imminent threats.

The Jio Platforms’ Quantum-Safe Security Suite demonstrated both a deep understanding of the current cybersecurity landscape and the huge challenges on the horizon. Judges said the entry’s “foresight, R&D excellence, and rapid execution has set a new industry benchmark – and placed India at the forefront of global cyber resilience”.

(Silver Award: Bridge Alliance and Aeris Communications, Aeris IoT WatchtowerTM)

Enterprise Service of the Year

Winner: China Broadcasting Network & AsiaInfo Technologies for their Smart Wind Farm private 5G network

Considered a “standout submission” by the judges, this category’s winner combines bespoke engineering with AI-driven interference management and a unique network architecture, to deliver impressive results at a Smart Wind Farm.

One judge commented that this was the “benchmark case of how CSP-enabled private networks can unlock new efficiencies, safety standards, and economic benefits for enterprise businesses”.

(Silver Award: Singtel, Singtel 5G+ Priority and Enterprise Mobile Protect) 

Future Award

Winner: Singtel for its Quantum-Safe Network

From innovative solutions to novel business models, the future award celebrates companies looking to capture the opportunities that are only just emerging.

Singtel’s Quantum-Safe Network blends technical refinement with commercial availability, providing a solution to one of the biggest challenges on the horizon for telcos: building future-ready cyber resilience at scale.

(Silver Award: Cohere Technologies)

People and Culture Award

Winner: Viettel Group

This category looks to highlight organisations that place employee well-being and a culture of continuous learning at the core of their strategy, driving both sustainable growth and technological excellence.

With a comprehensive 360° care model focused on employees’ physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being, Viettel showed incredible dedication to staff, prioritizing reskilling and upskilling over layoffs.

(Silver Award: Deutsche Telekom – Europe Segment, DT Europe Talent Powerhouse)

Platform Award

Winner: Singtel for the Paragon Platform

Singtel’s Paragon Platform aims to help telecoms providers augment their service offerings and create new revenue streams beyond connectivity. With impressive results so far, this top-notch platform sets the standard for 5G orchestration and business model transformation.

(Silver Award: Rakuten Symphony, Rakuten Cloud-Native Platform)

Satellite Telecoms Award

Winner: Telefonica Global Solutions

Telefonica Global Solutions successfully combines GEO, MEO, and LEO satellite capabilities into a single service model, providing customers with a self-managed, cloud-style orchestration interface for real-time control across orbits.

The judges were highly impressed by the commercial results, noting the solution demonstrates that “satellite can scale like cloud, serve like fibre, and impact lives far beyond the reach of terrestrial networks.”

(Silver Award: VEON and Kyivstar, Kyivstar/Starlink)

Social Contribution Award

Winner: Helium

In a category all about giving back to the community you serve, Helium impressed by flipping the traditional telecom model, empowering individuals to become network builders and expand connectivity access from the ground up.

The judges praised the company’s disruptive business model, stating that it “stands out for reimagining connectivity as a shared resource rather than a corporate commodity, creatively redistributing both the responsibility and the rewards of building digital inclusion.”

(Silver Award: Moldcell Foundation)

Submarine Networks Award

Winner: EllaLink

A new category this year, aimed at shining a light on some of the world’s most critical and often underappreciated infrastructure.

EllaLink has not only been working hard to expand and upgrade its network, but also to introduce new sensing technology to support marine researchers. This unique combination of market impact, engineering excellence, and societal contribution set the winner apart.

(Silver Award: Telin)

Sustainability Award

Winner: Vodafone & Closing the Loop, One for One  

Sustainability is a huge topic at the World Communication Awards, attracting many entries from across the industry. Vodafone’s partnership with Closing the Loop showed major impact with their focus on e-waste – a significant challenge across the sector.

With very impressive results, the judges said this entry was an excellent example of an operator embedding sustainability directly into its core customer offering.

(Silver Award: KT, AI-based ES Orchestrator)

Total Experience Award

Winner: Sparkle

The competition in the Total Experience Award category was exceptionally strong this year, underscoring the vital importance of customer-centric strategies in today’s market.

Sparkle provided a truly holistic approach, integrating AI-based automation and real-time digital tools with a uniquely personalized, human-centered service model. For this company, CX is a company-wide mission, driving measurable outcomes and long-term loyalty.

(Silver Award: China Mobile (Guangdong) & Huawei, AI+BOSS)

Next Gen Award

Winner: Chiago Akpata – Senior Manager, Regulatory Affairs at Bayobab

This category is dedicated to the future leaders of the telecoms sector, highlighting those whose impact far exceeds their years.

Chiago Akpata has showed incredible skill in navigating the complex intersection of telecommunications, digital infrastructure, and public policy, having a lasting and transformative effect on the business.

(Silver Award: Sam Sham, RETN)

Startup of the Year Award

Winner: nodeQ

This category is all about the potential to do something special and impact the telecoms industry at scale.

nodeQ showcased their potential to do just that, developing cutting edge technology to better map telcos shifting security needs and prepare for an uncertain future.

Judges described this company as providing “world-class deep-tech with a significant first-mover advantage.”

(Silver Award: A5G Networks)

Original article Total Telecom:Read More

News

Ofcom has given the green light for mobile network operators to deliver ‘direct-to-device’ (D2D) satellite services to ordinary smartphones, clearing the regulatory pathway for calls, texts and data to be delivered from space across the UK.

The regulator’s final decisions authorise the use of mobile spectrum below 3 GHz for D2D links, with safety guards in place to prevent harmful interference with radar and air traffic control systems.

The regulator confirmed that individual consumers will not need a separate licence to receive satellite signals, a move designed to encourage mass-market adoption and help eliminate the UK’s patchwork of mobile notspots. Ofcom said the change could provide lifeline connectivity in remote areas without terrestrial coverage, and backup connectvity if traditional mobile networks suffer an outage.

Operators must, however, apply for a change to their existing licences before offering D2D services, and the framework includes technical and operational safeguards to limit cross-border interference with neighbouring countries’ networks. The framework aims to balance rapid deployment with protections for aviation and national-spectrum users.

Commercial partnerships focussed on D2D services are already well underway. Virgin Media O2 has signed with SpaceX’s Starlink as part of plans to begin rolling out messaging and data services by early 2026, while Vodafone has partnered with AST and has already demonstrated a satellite video call from an area without terrestrial coverage.

Exactly how these D2D partnerships will be monetised remains to be seen.

Ofcom’s group director for spectrum, David Willis, framed the initiative as opening new opportunities for rural communities and economic growth.

“Mobile operators are already pressing ahead to make the UK the first nation in Western Europe to have widespread access to this technology, which will see remote and rural areas be better connected than ever before, unlocking opportunities for communities, businesses and economic growth,” he said.

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