Study Claims UK Broadband Speeds Slow by 27 Percent During Heatwaves | ISPreview UK

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A new study of over 380,000 web-based consumer broadband speed tests (recorded over the past 12-months), which was conducted by comparison site Broadband Genie, claims to have identified that broadband download speeds can slow down by up to 8% and uploads by up to 27% on the hottest days of the year (usually heatwaves).

The study was conducted by taking the average download and upload broadband speed from typically the hottest part of the day (11:00 – 15:30). This was then compared to broadband speeds recorded on the five hottest days of the year in the same hours of the day.

Upload speeds took the biggest tumble, dropping 27% on the hottest day, recorded in Brogdale, Kent. On the same day, download speeds were also 8% slower. On average, upload speeds declined by a tenth (10%) and download speeds dropped 3% vs. speeds on an average day.

However, it’s worth pointing out that the issue here is likely to be less down to your broadband connection and more with your router, since the chipset (CPU) may automatically choose to throttle back its performance as part of thermal management during very hot days (i.e. helping to avoid a hardware crash) – particularly if the device is under heavy load at the same time.

However, in that sense, it may not be entirely fair of the study to describe this as being due to “broadband speeds“, since the slowdown is less likely to be caused by your ISP and is more of a local network issue. “Our research shows hotter temperatures consistently take the edge off your broadband speed. The main weakness is your home broadband router. If the internal components get too hot and overheat, it will slow down or even cut out. If surfers aren’t careful, it could grind your connection to a halt,” said Alex Tofts, Strategist at Broadband Genie.

Table: Broadband speed on the hottest days of a year

Hottest temperature recorded Temperature (°C) Download speed change vs. overall average Upload speed change vs. overall average
Brogdale, Kent 35.6 -8% -27%
Heathrow, London 32.7 0% -3%
Wisley, Surrey 32.6 -1% -2%
Coningsby, Lincolnshire 32.2 -5% -11%
Chertsey, Surrey 32.2 1% -9%

As we’ve said before (here), most router manufactures are aware of thermal management and design their hardware to operate at temperatures of up to around 40c (varying a bit between manufacturers). Sadly, an overheating broadband ISP router is something that can happen, although even many of the devices with a stated tolerance of up to 40c may actually continue to function for a handful of degrees past that point.

However, experiences do vary a lot, and we should point out that your mobile phones, laptops, game consoles, tablets and other electronics may also run into their own issues (i.e. the router may not be the only source of performance problems that can impact your network).

Sadly, the study doesn’t date its temperature recordings or include a technology split, since it would have been interesting to know whether FTTP connections are just as likely to suffer from such issues as copper-based (ADSL, FTTC etc.) ones. If the primary cause is within the end-users network, then the answer may be yes. But equally, full fibre infrastructure should be more resilient since a lot of the related processing hardware will be retained back at the air-conditioned exchange/data centre (some areas may also place related networking kit inside more exposed local street cabinets).

On the other hand, it’s worth noting that the headline figures given in the study (8% and 27%) are clearly location specific. But in other areas the results show only a small to modest change, with Heathrow being largely unimpacted for downstream traffic and Chertsey actually showing a gain of 1%. Most of the figures show fluctuations that are thus a bit too small for drawing credible conclusions and, in fairness, the UK isn’t exactly a particularly “hot” country, so far as the world goes.

Finally, we should point out that we all live in different buildings, where the resilience to internal temperature rise will also differ – often significantly. As a result, the outside temperature measurement on a specific day does not tell us the whole story.

TalkTalk Attempting to Sell UK Consumer and Wholesale Business Again | ISPreview UK

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The heavily indebted TalkTalk Group has reportedly begun the process of hiring City advisers – with both Barclays or Morgan Stanley said to be in the frame – in order to oversee the possible breakup and sale of their consumer broadband arm of the same name, and their PXC wholesale division.

The provider, which in the last month or so has been in the news several times due to alleged disputes with suppliers over payments and fees (here and here), is reportedly said by Sky News to now be in the process of launching a Strategic Review of its business after separate “unsolicited approaches” were allegedly received for both parts of the group.

NOTE: Back in 2020 the then TalkTalk Group became the subject of a £1.1bn takeover by Toscafund (here), which including debt valued the business at around £1.8bn. But the group has experienced numerous problems with its debt and has since demerged into three separate businesses (TalkTalk Consumer, TalkTalk Business Direct and PXC [wholesale]).

The group has certainly had a rough few years and in September 2024 secured a crucial refinancing package worth c. £400m (here and here), which saved it from the immediate risk of a default on its debts (extended debt maturities to September 2027). But it’s still in a difficult position and recently suffered another round of redundancies (here), as well as the continued shrinking of its customer base from 3.6 to 3.2 million customers over the past year (here).

On top of that, Openreach was recently said to have “threatened to block TalkTalk from putting new customers on its broadband network,” which we assume would only be enacted if the same problem with late payments were to continue in the future. Suffice to say that the group have long been attempting to sell off their remaining businesses, albeit so far without all that much success.

The latest development suggests that the provider, which declined to comment on the new report, might be close to finding a suitor for TalkTalk’s consumer broadband business and / or their PXC wholesale and networks division. But it remains unclear whether the recent approaches can be converted into a deal, or what form such an agreement might take.

Sky also suggested that TalkTalk was in talks to raise a further £100m from a combination of existing investors and asset sales. The latter of which could involve the sale of their remaining 3.2 million broadband customers, or at least some of them, to a new owner.

Openreach Updates on Petrol Leak in Bramley as Altnets Allowed to Build | ISPreview UK

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Network operator Openreach has issued a progress update on its efforts to help tackle a long-running underground petrol leak in the Surrey (England) village of Bramley. This has revealed, among other things, a new proposal that would allow alternative broadband networks to start building fibre (FTTP) in the area again.

Just to recap. Openreach is currently still dealing with the “significant and ongoing impact” of the incident (here), which technically began 6 year ago after fuel started leaking from a local Petrol Station (this wasn’t owned by ASDA at the time). But the full impact of this wasn’t fully appreciated until recently. Over the course of that time the leak has begun to cause fuel smells in the area, harming local businesses, and has also spread into the groundwater (i.e. disrupting the drinking of tap water in certain areas) and even local utility services.

NOTE: Openreach previously measured the petrol in their network to be above the “Lower Explosive Limit” (i.e. an ignition source could lead to an explosion within underground ducts).

At the last update it was noted that least 300 metres of Openreach’s underground cable ducts in the area had been affected. Cleaning it up has involved a lot of specialist equipment, processes and lots of detailed coordination among the impacted organisations and relevant authorities.

For example, Openreach have worked alongside Thames Water and others to extract vapour and fuel from their network, and the surrounding groundwater (ongoing). Various other actions, such as duct & chamber flushing and a consultation on nitrogen purging, as well as the deployment of a nitrogen compressor inside the local exchange, have also taken place. But this is a long process, and the operator states that “petrol contamination is still in our network (liquid and vapour)“.

In addition, Openreach has replaced the impacted joint box lids with new vented ones to improve air flow, and they’ve brought in experts with vapour extraction units who are still on-hand to deploy if vapour levels rise again in the area. The HSE have also carried out a study on the risk and steps the operator has taken to confirm the approach.

Suffice to say that a big part of the area was originally designated as a strict ‘Exclusion Zone‘ (pictured), although some parts have since been downgraded to a less restrictive ‘Contamination Zone‘ (i.e. work in certain areas can now take place, provided proper safety procedures are observed). The distribution (D-side) side of Openreach’s local network can now be accessed in a “carefully controlled manner“, but the E-side is still not fully accessible due to the presence of vapours.

The progress means that Openreach is now looking to soften some of the local restrictions, which would allow alternative network operators to start running new fibre via existing cable ducts; provided they agree to follow the safety measures (e.g. protective gear, carrying gas detectors and monitoring oxygen levels where nitrogen has been deployed etc.). Openreach itself is also making their own plans for a return to deploying full fibre (FTTP) broadband infrastructure in the area.

A spokesperson for Openreach told ISPreview:

“Safety remains our top priority in Bramley – for our people, our partners, and the public.

We’re making steady progress towards resuming more normal operations in Bramley but fuel hazards remain in our network and they’re likely to persist for the foreseeable future.

This week, we updated our Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA) customers on our next steps: by mid-July, we plan to redesignate the current ‘Exclusion Zone’ as a ‘Contamination Zone’.

In practice, this means they’ll have access to some previously restricted underground ducts on the distribution (‘D’) side of our network – but only under a carefully controlled and safe system of work.

The situation in Bramley continues to evolve, so we’re actively monitoring conditions and sharing updates on the hazards and the controls we’ve put in place. If needed, we won’t hesitate to reintroduce safety measures to protect everyone involved.”

In short, some of the measures in certain areas are being lifted, which will make it easier for network upgrades, new provisions by engineers/retail ISPs and repair work to take place again (previously certain repairs and new service provisions were not possible). Naturally, it’s unsafe for engineers to fully access the entire network, until the risk is eliminated.

Once again, it’s very important to stress just how serious and dangerous this situation is, both for local residents and the engineers who are trying extremely hard to resolve an incredibly challenging problem. At the start of this month Openreach additionally revealed that making their network “safe and accessible” again could take “at least” another 12 months.

Ofcom Set Final Rules for 5G UK Mobile Auction of 26GHz and 40GHz | ISPreview UK

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The UK telecoms regulator, Ofcom, has today set out the final regulations for their plan to auction off a large chunk of millimetre wave (mmW) radio spectrum frequency in the 26GHz and 40GHz bands, which will come into force on 30th June 2025. The spectrum will be used by mobile network operators to deliver faster 5G data (broadband) services.

At present EE (BT), O2 (Virgin Media), VodafoneThree (Vodafone and Three UK) already have access to several 5G capable bands between 700MHz and 3.8GHz. Such frequencies reflect the same sort of mid-band radio spectrum that mobile network operators have been using since the advent of the first 3G and 4G networks many years ago.

NOTE: The regulator aims to make 6.25GHz of spectrum frequency available across the 26GHz and 40GHz bands.

The move to auction off 26GHz (25.1-27.5GHz) and 40GHz (40.5-43.5GHz) will complement those existing bands by providing lots of additional spectrum frequency to operators, which means more data capacity for extremely fast speeds (e.g. multi-Gigabit). But such signals tend to be very weak, which means they’ll primarily be used for serving busy urban areas (shopping malls, airports etc.) and fixed wireless broadband (FWA) links.

Readers may recall that Ofcom’s plan to auction off these additional bands had been on hold until the VodafoneThree merger had completed, which finally happened at the start of this month (here). As a result, Ofcom has now made the regulations which implement those decisions (here) and these will come into force from 30th June 2025.

Ofcom plans to auction licences to use spectrum in the two bands in certain parts of the country (the major towns and cities in which they expect the highest volume of mmWave deployment). The regulator aims to award several 15-year, fixed term citywide licences (“high density areas”) to use the “new” mmWave bands – reflecting 68 major towns and cities across the UK, as well as some localised licences for “low density areas” within those cities via their Shared Access licensing framework.

The timelines for all this remain unchanged. Ofcom will accept applications to participate in the auction on 16th and 17th September 2025, with the principal stage of the auction itself then getting underway in October 2025. The UK is a long way behind other countries that have already awarded spectrum in the mmW bands, but one advantage of playing catch-up is that supporting mobile kit and device support should be more mature.

Standards led and AI driven, building a new era of green networks | Total Telecom

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During the Digital Transformation Summit (DTW 25), Huawei, in collaboration with industry organizations, hosted the fourth Green Development Forum to address the imperative of achieving green and low-carbon development in communication networks amid climate change. Attendees engaged in comprehensive discussions on the standardization of the Green Network Index (GNI), AI-driven energy efficiency, and practices for zero-carbon architecture, mapping out trends toward a sustainable, zero-carbon network.

Industry Consensus: Immediate Action Required for Green Telecommunications
Mr. Richard Webb, Senior Analyst at the TM Forum, presented a keynote titled “Green Networks – A Zero-carbon Network Architecture Blueprint for 2030”. He emphasized that global climate initiatives are propelling communication networks towards higher energy efficiency, yet the industry faces significant challenges, including a lack of AI tools for sustainability assessment, insufficient visualization of energy efficiency, and the need for standardization.

Mr. Peter Jarich, Head of GSMA Intelligence, elaborated on the Green Network Index (GNI), which offers a comprehensive measurement methodology and indicator system for green network evolution. Currently implemented by six major operators, this index provides a clear framework for sustainable development, playing a crucial role in the green transition for telecom operators.

Operator Practices: Carbon Reduction and Business Win-Win
Dr. Lee Hui Mien, Head of Environmental Sustainability at Singapore Telecommunications (Singtel) Group, shared the strategic path for achieving net-zero goals by 2045 through the GNI. The practices of Singtel demonstrate that the GNI tool has value in establishing standardized assessment systems, identifying energy efficiency improvement hotspots, and achieving global benchmarking. Through network modernization and renewable energy procurement agreements, Singtel is translating sustainability into quantifiable operational practices.

Mr. Shaharul Niza Mohamad, Chief Financial Officer of Celcom Timur Sabah (CTS), Malaysia, showcased the effective application of Network Energy Efficiency (NEE) metrics through strategic initiatives. A key achievement was the modernization of Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) infrastructure, which led to a significant reduction in the number of cabinets at single sites. This initiative not only improved overall NEE but also resulted in notable reductions in electricity consumption. In addition, CTS achieved its objective of reducing carbon emissions per terabyte (TB) of traffic by leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as all-optical network simplification, intelligent energy-saving solutions, and optimized network architecture, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable operations.

Mr. Rashad Hasanli, Senior Director of Network Technologies at Azerconnect Group Azerbaijan, shared the company’s strategic framework and practical results in green network development. He introduced the plan on future green optimization, up to GSMA Intelligence standards, covering infrastructure transformation such as base station, machine room, and power station. Through a three-phase approach of ” Simplified sites + AI-driven + Digitalization”, Azerconnect Group has streamlined its network architecture, resulting in significant energy efficiency, operational, and cost benefits.

Technological Innovation: AI Empowerment Accelerates Green Development
Mr. David Yu, General Manager of Green Network Domain at Huawei, appreciated industry organizations like the TM Forum and GSMA Intelligence for actively promoting green industry development and emphasized the important role of technological innovation in enabling sustainable development across vertical industries. In the face of resource challenges brought by the explosive growth of AI, Huawei advocates a series of solutions, including green sites, green central office, green supply, and green power station, to unlock the significant energy-saving and space potential of current communication networks, supporting the development of new business models. Through digital modeling and surveying, AI-based comprehensive planning, and end-to-end digital delivery capabilities, Huawei ensures that networks are modernized accurately, quickly, and securely. Green is the foundation of high-quality development, and green innovation provides continuous momentum for operators to save on operational costs, develop their businesses, and maintain a competitive edge. The ICT industry is accelerating its journey toward Net-zero goals.

Looking Ahead: Unleash Value in Industry Green Transformation
From the TM Forum’s zero-carbon network architecture blueprint to the Green Network Index (GNI), as well as the practical cases from operators like Singtel, CTS, and Azerconnect Group, and Huawei’s achievements in technological innovation and collaborative development, all highlight the telecommunications industry’s determination and action in promoting sustainable development. Through standardization, technological innovation, and industry collaboration, the industry not only contributes to global efforts against climate change but also creates broader commercial value and more sustainable growth opportunities for itself. A green network is not just a responsibility, it is an opportunity that will empower various industries to jointly stride toward a more prosperous and sustainable future.

Digicel Group and Symptai Join Forces to Offer Better Access to World Class Business Solutions | Total Telecom

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Digicel Group and Symptai Consulting Limited have joined forces to offer businesses better access to world-class solutions and experts to support all their technology needs. This milestone builds on Digicel’s initial stake in Symptai, acquired in December 2021, and underscores the Group’s continued commitment to driving secure digital growth and transformation across the region.

 

Symptai, a leading technology advisory and cybersecurity consultancy firm, boasts a 27-year track record as regional experts in cybersecurity, data privacy and protection, anti-money laundering, risk and compliance, and digital transformation. With Digicel Business’ mobile and ICT solutions, Symptai’s deep expertise supporting governments, financial institutions and large enterprises will continue to enhance Digicel’s business solutions across the Caribbean.

 

“This is a major step forward in strengthening Digicel’s capabilities in cybersecurity, data privacy and digital transformation,” said Liam Donnelly, Chief Business Officer, Digicel Group. “For over five years, Digicel has been a pioneer in the cyber and SOC (security operation centre) services for businesses and now we’re taking it to the next level. Globally, there’s a dearth of cyber expertise, so you can imagine across the Caribbean, with a population of about 45 million people, the demand is great. Now, with the combined expertise of Digicel and Symptai, there is an even larger pool of knowledge and experts to better serve our customers and have even greater reach across the region and beyond.”

 

“Symptai and Digicel have been working in tandem for a number of years now and as a business partner, Digicel has everything you could want for your company,” said Marlon Cooper, CEO, Symptai Consulting. “The technology, the network, the consultants, the partners (locally and internationally) are all there, which means that whether you’re a small, medium or large-sized business, we have the products, services and people to meet you where you are, and also to help you as you scale.”

 

Now that Symptai is fully part of the Digicel Business family, customers can expect a seamless and strengthened value proposition—backed by Digicel’s global strategic partners and Symptai’s proven experience. This unified approach positions Digicel Business as the leading technology partner for businesses of all sizes, not just in Jamaica, but throughout the region.

 

Digicel Business and Symptai Consulting remain committed to delivering greater value and stronger security solutions to customers, empowering Caribbean businesses to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

 

ENDS

 

About Digicel

Enabling customers to live, work, play and flourish in a connected world, Digicel’s world class LTE and fibre networks deliver state-of-the-art mobile, home and business solutions.

 

Serving 10 million consumer and business customers in 25 markets in the Caribbean and Central America, our investments of over US$5 billion and a commitment to our communities through our Digicel Foundations in Haiti, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago have contributed to positive outcomes for over 2 million people to date.

 

With our Connecting. Empowering vision at the heart of everything we do – supported by our DIGI values of Diversity, Integrity, Growth and Innovation – our 5,000 employees worldwide work together to make that a powerful reality for customers, communities and countries day in, day out.

 

Digicel Business provides end-to-end fully managed business solutions with its robust network, expert resources and cutting-edge technology. These all work in synergy with one aim – efficiencies across businesses, large or small. Partnering with industry-leaders to deliver innovative products and technology, Digicel Business’ consultative approach to customer engagement ensures the best possible solutions for all businesses.

 

Visit www.digicelgroup.com for more.

 

 

Data (Use and Access) Bill becomes law, redefining UK data sharing | Total Telecom

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Big Ben, London

Press Release

British people will benefit from new laws which will make their day-to-day lives easier – from slashing grocery bills and cutting traffic jams to speeding up NHS diagnoses – as the Government delivers on manifesto commitments.

It comes as the Data (Use and Access) Act has today (19th June) received Royal Assent, unleashing the power of data into the British society and economy.

The new data regime is set to pump £10 billion into the British economy over the next decade – by cutting NHS and police bureaucracy, speeding up roadworks, and turbocharging innovation in tech and science.

Measures in the Act will ensure healthcare information – like a patient’s pre-existing conditions, appointments and tests – can easily be accessed in real time across all NHS trusts, GP surgeries and ambulance services, no matter what IT system they are using. Enabling data sharing across platforms will save NHS staff 140,000 hours a year in admin, giving them more time to care for patients and make better informed decisions for them more quickly – speeding up diagnoses and treatments for the British people.

Delivering on a manifesto commitment, the Act boosts the development of technology such as price comparison apps that can provide hyper personalised experiences to people so they can save money and time with bills and food shops. The new laws will broaden the access that third parties, like energy suppliers, have to consumer data.

For example, consumers will be able to share data on their energy usage which will help create more accurate price comparisons, informing what utility provider best suits their needs. This measure will give consumers the ability to compare utility prices, find better deals, and reduce their energy use, as well as foster tech innovation and boost competition, which will ultimately grow the UK economy.

“For too long, previous governments have been sitting on a goldmine of data, wasting a powerful resource which can be used to help families juggle food costs, slash tedious life admin, and make our NHS and police work smarter,” said Technology Secretary Peter Kyle. “These new laws will finally unleash that power for hardworking people – putting cash back in pockets and boosting vital public services, all part of our Plan for Change.”

Another key manifesto commitment the Act will deliver on is legislation to help bereaved parents get the answers they deserve when social media activity is linked to the death of their child. The new laws will establish a data preservation process that will require Ofcom, when notified by a coroner, to issue a data preservation notice to social media companies supporting their investigations into the death.

The data regime will also ease the frustrations of traffic by creating a National Underground Asset Register, a map of the country’s underground pipes and cables, which will allow construction workers to instantly see their exact location – information which currently takes six days to access. Slashing the average data-sharing process to six seconds, workers in the field will have quick access to a rich view of buried assets, helping them make more informed decisions on how to carry out works safely and efficiently – speeding up roadworks and closures and reducing delays for those on the road.

By legislating on digital verification services and introducing trusted digital verification tools, people will be able to prove their identity online more easily. This will simplify important tasks such as renting a flat and starting work. The measures will give companies who provide tools for verifying identities the ability to get certified against the government’s stringent trust framework of standards, and receive a ‘trust mark’ to use as a result. As well as increasing trust in the market, these efficiency gains will boost the UK economy by £4.3 billion over the next decade. 

How is the UK’s telecoms market changing in 2025? Join the industry in discussion at Connected Britain, the UK’s largest digital economy event

Also in the news:
SWR deploys Europe’s first ’Rail-5G’ Wi-Fi  
BT accelerates fibre rollout amid cost cuts
AT&T agrees $5.75 billion deal for Lumen’s consumer fibre asset

New Data Use and Access Law to Help UK Utility Maps and ISP Comparisons | ISPreview UK

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The UK government has today announced that their Data Use and Access Bill has become law (Royal Assent), which pledges to inject £10bn into the British economy over 10-years by, among other things, supporting personalised market comparisons for utility pricing and putting a new digital map of underground broadband cables and pipes on a “statutory footing“.

Improving the sharing of sensitive personal data tends to be a tedious area for the government, which doesn’t necessarily have the best history of keeping our private information safe and secure. Nevertheless, the government is keen to create the right conditions to support the future of open banking and the growth of new smart data schemes, while also cutting down on bureaucracy (admin) for police officers and the NHS etc.

NOTE: The National Underground Asset Register (NUAR) is focused on England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scotland has already built a similar system via the Scottish Community Apparatus Data Vault (SCADV).

However, our focus in all this is more on those aspects of the new Act that bleed into the UK telecoms (broadband, phone and mobile) sector, particularly where it has relevance to future network deployments and consumer services. Some of this is reflected in the aforementioned focus on “smart data schemes” – models that allow consumers and businesses to safely share information about them with regulated and authorised third parties.

For example, price comparison sites could use all this to generate “hyper personalised experiences” (i.e. tailored comparisons of broadband and mobile packages) and financial advice to help cut costs. In theory, such legislation might similarly allow consumers to view all of their bills in one place or introduce easier management across accounts, which could potentially be designed specifically for vulnerable consumers.

Government Statement

For example, consumers will be able to share data on their energy usage which will help create more accurate price comparisons, informing what utility provider best suits their needs. This measure will give consumers the ability to compare utility prices, find better deals, and reduce their energy use, as well as foster tech innovation and boost competition, which will ultimately grow the UK economy.

On the other hand, personalised pricing remains a bit of a minefield, which may end up resulting in some people paying more for the same service and thus growing a risk of “unfair” price discrimination. Ofcom’s 2020 research into this found that most people “felt personalised pricing was ‘unfair’, with a lack of transparency about how the price would be calculated and uncertainty about whether they had a good deal.” Time will tell.

The law also puts the Government’s new National Underground Asset Register (NUAR) – developed alongside Ordnance Survey (OS) and Atkins – on a statutory footing, which is a digital UK map of underground pipes and cables (broadband, water etc.) that is partly designed to help reduce accidental damage.

Government Statement

[The NUAR] will allow construction workers to instantly see their exact location – information which currently takes six days to access. Slashing the average data-sharing process to six seconds, workers in the field will have quick access to a rich view of buried assets, helping them make more informed decisions on how to carry out works safely and efficiently – speeding up roadworks and closures and reducing delays for those on the road.

Put another way, more than 600 asset owners will now be required to share their data with NUAR, supporting the safe digging industry. According to Richard Broome of LSBUD, a UK safe digging service, the development is “really pleasing for the safe digging community“.

Richard added that there was “much more still to be done, [but] the fact this milestone has been reached enables the voice of the safe digging industry to be fully heard at a level that it has never been before. At LSBUD we are actively engaged with the NUAR team, and the collaboration the safe digging industry is calling for is building momentum.”

Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle, said:

“For too long, previous governments have been sitting on a goldmine of data, wasting a powerful resource which can be used to help families juggle food costs, slash tedious life admin, and make our NHS and police work smarter. These new laws will finally unleash that power for hardworking people – putting cash back in pockets and boosting vital public services, all part of our Plan for Change.”

The NUAR itself is currently in the process of entering its public beta phase. However, the UK Internet Service Providers Association (ISPA) did previously warn the government against putting the NUAR on a statutory footing before it’s truly “fit for purpose, proportionate and can fully deliver on expectations“; it’s perhaps not quite at that stage.. yet.

IXT launches new full MVNO to simplify global IoT connectivity | Total Telecom

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Oslo, June 19, 2025: The company is founded in Norway by successful telco founders Raymond Berntsen and Henning Solberg, who bring decades of industry experience to the company. With this new venture, they aim to provide modern, future-proof connectivity for IoT-driven businesses across the globe. IXT operates as a full MVNO with its own core network infrastructure, spanning multiple continents.

 

“Our mission is to simplify IoT connectivity for our customers,” says Henning Solberg, co-founder, CEO and CTO of IXT. “By building our own core network, we have full control over the technology and the services we can offer. With IXT, customers get SIM cards that connect their IoT devices — with all the flexibility, performance and security features the market expects today.”

 

Powering the connected industries of tomorrow
IXT enters a competitive market, but one that’s growing fast. As more industries go digital, the demand for IoT connectivity is accelerating across a wide range of sectors. IXT targets customers in smart cities, electric mobility, logistics, energy, agriculture, and industrial automation. Industries where secure, reliable, and flexible connectivity is business-critical and must work seamlessly across borders.

 

“We’re a challenger brand with strong technical foundations and a clear vision to become a leading provider of global IoT connectivity,” says Raymond Berntsen, CSO of IXT.

“Our solutions give customers the ability to scale internationally — and we reflect that by building an experienced and knowledgeable team with presence both in Norway and abroad.”

 

IXT’s platform leverages multi-IMSI and eSIM capabilities, providing seamless access to over 600 mobile networks across 190+ countries, with advanced mitigation for permanent roaming restrictions. The company’s SecureNet solution offers enterprise-grade private networking, VPNs, and direct cloud integration (AWS, Azure, GCP), ensuring data privacy and regulatory compliance.

 

Built in Norway. Ready for the world.
IXT is headquartered in Norway with subsidiaries in Sweden, Netherlands, and Germany. Further expansion with local presence in the US and Asia is already underway.

 

“We’re ambitious and believe we’re launching at exactly the right time. What makes this unique is that we’re building a next-generation core network from scratch in 2025,” says Solberg.

“The market and technology have evolved dramatically since last time we did this — and that allows us to deliver a connectivity platform built for tomorrow’s needs. We’re combining the best of security, flexibility and global reach while simplifying complexity for our customers. That means businesses can focus on innovation and growth, without worrying about technical limitations or borders.”

Proximus Global insights reveal high consumer appetite for Travel eSIM | Total Telecom

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Brussels – 19 June 2025 – Proximus Global’s new consumer research [LINK] reveals low awareness and adoption of eSIMs in the US, UK, and China. However, nearly half of the consumers expressed interest in using an eSIM for travel after learning about its benefits. This presents a growing opportunity for mobile operators and travel-related businesses to offer Travel eSIM solutions to consumers.

A survey of over 6,500 adults in the US, UK, and China conducted by data analyst specialists YouGov found that only 33% of consumers globally are aware of what an eSIM is, while 42% are unsure if their phone includes one. Awareness is notably low in the US, where 52% of respondents reported having no knowledge of eSIM technology. China ranked slightly ahead of the UK and US for usage, with 27% of Chinese consumers polled reporting having tried eSIM in the past.

A Travel eSIM is a SIM card embedded directly into the mobile device that allows people to connect globally to local networks while travelling. The technology is widely available on many popular handsets including Apple, Samsung, Google and Huawei, and solves the need for physical SIM card placement in devices.

The findings indicate a significant gap between consumer awareness and the commercial potential for businesses that provide travel eSIM services. Almost half of consumers (49%) are open to using eSIMs to more effectively manage mobile connectivity while traveling abroad. This percentage is even higher in the UK and China, at 56% and 60% respectively. 

Consumers are flexible about where they would buy Travel eSIMs. Over a third (36%) would consider purchasing from non-traditional carriers like supermarkets, airlines, or travel websites. Companies like Revolut, Nord VPN, and Carrefour have already launched such services.

“Our research highlights the significant potential for brands in the global travel eSIM market,” said Surash Patel, Chief Revenue Officer at Proximus Global. “Demand for eSIM technology is rapidly increasing. Companies that act now will be well-positioned to capture substantial market share. This opportunity isn’t limited to telcos; with the right partner, establishing an eSIM offering is straightforward. Retail and travel brands can leverage their customer base to drive adoption and explore cross-selling opportunities for travel eSIMs.”

“To secure leadership in the expanding global travel eSIM market, businesses must prioritize developing innovative eSIM-enabled services that cater to the evolving needs of travelers, while also focusing on consumer education,” stated Jorn Vercamert, Chief Product Officer at Proximus Global. “By closing the awareness gap, stakeholders can unlock the full potential of this untapped market opportunity.”*

About Proximus Global

Proximus Global, combining the strengths of Telesign, BICS, and Route Mobile, is transforming the future of communications and digital identity. Together, our solutions fuel innovation across the world’s largest companies and emerging brands. Our unrivaled global reach empowers businesses to create engaging experiences with built-in fraud protection across the entire customer lifecycle. Our comprehensive suite of solutions – from our super network for voice, messaging, and data, to 5G and IoT; and from verification and intelligence to CPaaS for personalized omnichannel engagement – enables businesses and communities to thrive. Reaching over 5 billion subscribers, securing more than 180 billion transactions annually, and connecting 1,000+ destinations, we honor our commitment to connect, protect and engage everyone, everywhere.