Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

People covered by Quickline’s new full fibre (FTTP) UK gigabit broadband ISP network, which by the end of 2025 will have covered 200,000 premises in rural parts of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire (up from 65,000 premises in Nov 2023), may like to know that they’ve launched a new 100Mbps entry-level package today.

Until today, the cheapest package available to consumers covered by their FTTP network was a 200Mbps (symmetric speed) service, which cost from £29 per month on a 24-month minimum term (currently with the first 3 months of service being just £1 a month) – including a “free” router and installation. The provider also promises no mid-contract price rises and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

However, Quickline has today introduced a new entry-level package called “Fibre Start“, which is priced at just £22 per month and offers download speeds of 100Mbps (50Mbps uploads). The rest of the details are the same as their other packages, although this is clearly an attempt to be more aggressive on price and thus pull customers away from established rivals.

Original article Total Telecom:Read More

Podcasts

Felix Dialoiso, well versed in the complexities of municipal regulations, says building underground fiber doesn’t come without struggles.

Fiber builds, especially underground ones, don’t always go according to plan.

It’s a fact that Felix Dialoiso, a founding partner at Harbor Link, knows all too well.

Dialoiso, who says he’s had to deal with the checkerboarding of regulations across municipalities in Harbor Link’s footprint, said patience is required when dealing with communities who may be hard to work with.

He said building relationships continues stand apart as a recipe for success.

“When we negotiate with different municipalities, states, or cities, we give them a plan,” he said, adding that many of his team members have tremendous reputations at supporting Harbor Link’s vision.

Dialoiso’s company, which is constructing a 60-mile fiber network connecting Baltimore, and the Washington D.C. metro area, said it’s important to ask community leaders how they can support a community’s future needs.

“It’s one of my strengths that I’ve just developed over the years,” he said.

Additionally, Dialoiso said he’s “not giving away the farm.” But he also allured to the fact that he’ll make concessions if he’s expressed a long-term commitment to a given community.

Listen to the full interview with Dialoiso on Spotify here.

Or click here to listen on Apple Podcasts.

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Learn more about Broadband Communities Summit 2025 in Houston.

Original article Total Telecom:Read More

News 

Vodafone has released its FY25 preliminary results, showing the group moving to streamline operations and refocus on growth markets 

Vodafone has pledged £1.5 billion in network investment in the UK this year, the first portion of the £11 billion promised to regulators in order to secure approval for the company’s merger with Three UK.  

The merger with Three UK, which is expected to complete in the first half of next year is forecast to bring £700 million in annual cost savings and deliver massive investments into the company’s 5G infrastructure. 

“We will have the best spectrum, the best network and the largest customer base in mobile,” said Vodafone Group CEO Margherita Della Valle on a media call.  

“Since I set out my plans to transform Vodafone two years ago, Vodafone has changed. Clearly there is much more to do, but this period of transition has repositioned Vodafone for multi-year growth,” she continued. 

The announcement came alongside Vodafone Group’s latest financial results, which saw revenue rise 2% to €37.4 billion, while organic service revenue climbed 5.1% to €30.8 billion, driven by strong performances in Africa, Türkiye, and the UK. 

However, results were slightly dampened by a 5% decline in Germany, the company’s largest market, where regulatory issues and strong market competition impacted performance. A €4.5 billion impairment charge in Germany and Romania pushed Vodafone to an operating loss of €0.4 billion for the year. 

In the UK, however, Vodafone saw service revenue grow 4.5%, supported by continued investment in customer experience and broadband rollout.  

Keep up to date with the latest telecoms news by subscribing to our newsletter  

Also in the news:
Altice eyes exit from SFR as debt talks continue
Thailand’s AIS and True circling National Telecom’s subscriber base
Deutsche Telekom joins IPAI Innovation Platform in AI push 

Original article Total Telecom:Read More

Claremont, NC, May 21, 2025 – CommScope (NASDAQ: COMM), a global leader in network connectivity, and Emtelle, an industry leader in manufacturing blown cable, announced today a collaboration to manufacture hardened connectivity for blowable fiber optic drop cable. CommScope’s Prodigy® solution, which supports ubiquitous legacy hardened connectivity, will be combined with Emtelle’s blowable fiber optic micro-cable as the first offering of its kind in North America.

The combination of Emtelle’s REVOLink3™ cable, a versatile pre-connectorized 3-in-One drop cable, and CommScope’s Prodigy hardened connectivity technology creates a powerful solution for fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) deployments. It enables fast, cost-effective installation while delivering the quality and performance service providers expect. Through this agreement, Emtelle has the ability to manufacture drop cables pre-terminated with the Prodigy universal FTTH connector—adding a consistent, installation-friendly option to their portfolio that supports faster rollouts, reduced costs and flexible integration across diverse network environments.

Tony Rodgers, Emtelle Group Chief Executive, said, “Emtelle is renowned throughout the world for producing innovative, ground-breaking solutions that not only simplify the installation process but also set new standards in the passive network solutions industry. Our REVOLink3 is the perfect example of this: since its introduction it has been hailed as a major leap forward in telecommunications infrastructure technology. To that end, we are delighted to be collaborating with CommScope to combine REVOLink3 with their proven Prodigy solution. Together this new, unique hardened connectivity will set a new benchmark for FTTH deployment in the North American market.”

“We’ve always been proud of the innovative technology behind the Prodigy solution which allows it to service multiple types of terminals, and we’re now pleased to see it utilized with a pushable and blowable fiber solution,” noted John Chamberlain, VP Technology, Connectivity and Cable Solutions, CommScope. “We are excited to collaborate with Emtelle through this agreement. The interoperability, speed and simplicity provided with the Prodigy solution makes it an ideal option for the next generation for FTTH hardened connectivity and it’s great to work with Emtelle to extend its availability in the North American market.”

CommScope’s Prodigy hardened connector product line offers the flexibility to mate to any legacy fiber optic hardened connector. In addition, the Prodigy connector’s smaller footprint allows for smaller handholes and less visual impact, resulting in a more sustainable solution.

For additional information on the Prodigy universal connector platform, please visit the CommScope website.

Original article Total Telecom:Read More

News 

The deal is drawing early interest from global telcos and investors, while Altice continues its debt restructuring 

Altice is considering the sale of its controlling stake in SFR, with a potential transaction valuing the telecoms operator at up to €30 billion, according to a Bloomberg report. 

The company, owned by French billionaire Partick Drahi, has recently circulated information on its French unit to prospective buyers, as it explores its options. Interest is expected from domestic rivals including Bouygues Telecom, Iliad, and Orange, as well as major Middle Eastern operators, such as the UAE’s e& and private equity firms. 

Some parties are said to be considering bids for portions of the business, raising the prospect of consortium deals, Bloomberg reported.  

Several groups have already engaged financial advisors to assess a potential acquisition, though discussions remain preliminary in the preliminary stages and no dela is guaranteed. 

“Altice is focused on implementing the debt agreement, considering the sale of non-core assets, and pursuing SFR’s commercial relaunch and quality of service improvement, two indicators that have already been well oriented for several months,” said an Altice spokesperson speaking to Bloomberg. 

A transaction would be dependent on Altice France completing its ongoing debt restructuring. The company’s debt pile currently stands at around €60 billion. 

Sources also hinted that Drahi may choose to repurchase shares currently held by creditors, in a bid to strengthen his position ahead of any sale. 

Keep up to date with the latest telecoms news by subscribing to our newsletter  

Also in the news:
Thailand’s AIS and True circling National Telecom’s subscriber base
Deutsche Telekom joins IPAI Innovation Platform in AI push
SKT data breach potentially leaks data from 26.9 million users

Original article Total Telecom:Read More

Westcon-Comstor, a global technology provider and specialist distributor, today announced a new collaboration with Ericsson that aims to enhance enterprises’ connectivity and unlock growth opportunities for channel partners.

The distribution agreement covers Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and will see Westcon accelerate adoption of Ericsson’s Enterprise Wireless Solutions by working with its network of technology resellers, systems integrators and service providers across the region.

Ericsson’s Enterprise Wireless Solutions enable organisations to innovate, operate, and grow anywhere without constraints. Ericsson NetCloud, Cradlepoint routers, and Enterprise 5G solutions provide the flexibility of public and private 5G, with the zero-trust security of simplified SASE.

As part of the collaboration, Westcon will deploy its suite of value-added services spanning education, data-led insights, training and enablement to drive partner growth, empowering partners to leverage the Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions portfolio to full effect.

“Ericsson’s Enterprise Wireless Solutions fuel innovation and growth, and we are excited to play an important role in driving their adoption around EMEA,” said Daniel Hurel, Senior Vice President, Westcon EMEA Go-To-Market at Westcon-Comstor. “This collaboration unlocks exciting new growth opportunities for partners and adds an extra dimension to our networking technology portfolio within the region. We look forward to deploying our value-added services to empower and enable partners, equipping them with additional capabilities as they bring the benefits of the Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions portfolio to their customers.”

“With the increased speed and decreased latency of 5G, businesses are now looking at 5G as not only a viable alternative to wires but also to innovate and transform their business,” said Julie Hens, Senior Vice President, Global Distribution Partners at Ericsson. “Westcon is an excellent business partner for our shared solution providers in supporting customers who are on this transformation path.”

Original article Total Telecom:Read More

BROOMFIELD, Colo. & FOSTER CITY, Calif. – May 20, 2025 – Exabeam, a global leader in intelligence and automation that powers security operations, today announced a new partnership with  Vectra AI, Inc., the cybersecurity AI company that protects modern networks from modern attacks. This collaboration integrates the Exabeam New-Scale Security Operations Platform, including security information and event management (SIEM), user and entity behavior analytics (UEBA), and automated workflows, with the Vectra AI Platform. Together, Exabeam and Vectra AI will simplify security operations, reduce manual workloads, and strengthen cloud security posture, empowering security teams to stop threats before they escalate.

Security teams often struggle to detect advanced threats that move laterally across cloud environments. Legacy tools built for on-premises detection frequently miss these signals, creating gaps in visibility and delaying response. Without a unified view, analysts are forced to manually pivot between disconnected tools, slowing investigations when speed is critical.

The integration of Vectra AI with Exabeam changes the game. Vectra AI detects and priortizes attackers moving laterally across the network, both east-west and north-south, and expose attackers’ every move across data center, campus, remote work, cloud and OT environments. Integrated with Exabeam SIEM and automation, this partnership delivers centralized visibility, faster detection, and smarter response across cloud environments. The result: streamlined investigations, reduced manual effort, and improved security outcomes.

“Teaming up with Vectra AI, isn’t just a partnership, it’s a power move. We need to shift the balance in cybersecurity, putting defenders back in control,” said Steve Wilson, Chief AI and Product Officer at Exabeam. “With their cloud threat intel and our AI-driven platform, we’re exposing the threats others miss and flipping the script on what modern threat detection looks like.”

Additional benefits from this collaboration include:

• Accelerated Threat Detection: Consolidating security data from multiple sources and automating workflows across the SOC stack enables analysts to identify and respond to threats faster and with greater precision.
• Enhanced Visibility: Network-based risks across cloud infrastructure, powered by advanced behavioral analytics, help teams detect lateral movement, insider threats, and other post-compromise activities that traditional tools often miss.
• Streamlined Security Operations: Out-of-the-box integration features, prebuilt mappings, a preconfigured Vectra AI dashboard tile, and webhook collectors accelerate deployment and minimize operational overhead for SOC teams.

“Security teams today need visibility to stay ahead of advanced threats, especially as attacks become more complex and move across hybrid and cloud environments,” said Jeff Reed, Chief Product Officer at Vectra AI. “By integrating Vectra AI’s advanced NDR with Exabeam’s powerful SIEM and automation capabilities, we’re empowering teams with a unified, intelligent platform to quickly identify, investigate, and stop threats before they escalate. This partnership is a major step forward in modernizing security operations for the AI-driven threat landscape.”

To learn more about the Exabeam and Vectra AI partnership, please visit: https://www.exabeam.com/partners/vectra-ai/

About Exabeam

Exabeam is a leader in intelligence and automation that powers security operations for the world’s smartest companies. As a global cybersecurity innovator, Exabeam provides industry-proven, security-focused, and flexible solutions for faster, more accurate threat detection, investigation, and response (TDIR). Cutting-edge technology enhances security operations center performance, optimizing workflows and accelerating time to resolution. With consistent leadership in AI innovation and a proven track record in security information and event management (SIEM) and user behavior analytics, Exabeam empowers global security teams to combat cyberthreats, mitigate risk, and streamline operations.

Learn more at www.exabeam.com.

About Vectra AI, Inc.  

Vectra AI, Inc. is the cybersecurity AI company that protects modern networks from modern attacks. When modern cyber attackers bypass existing controls, evade detection and gain access to customers’ data center, campus, remote work, identity, cloud, and IoT/OT environments, the Vectra AI Platform sees their every move, connects the dots in real-time, and stops them from becoming breaches. With 35 patents in AI security and the most vendor references in MITRE D3FEND, organizations worldwide rely on Vectra AI to see and stop attacks their other tools can’t. For more information, visit www.vectra.ai.  

Contact

Gemma Hamilton
PR for Exabeam
gemma@ilexcontent.com

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

The Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance (NGMN), which is led by mobile operators, has this morning published new guidance for network operators that it hopes will improve the accuracy of supply chain emissions data (aka – Scope 3 / indirect emissions) by switching to a new reporting model.

According to the NGMN, scope 3 emissions – those generated across the broader value chain – represent approximately 90% of total emissions for mobile network operators (MNOs). But a recent survey indicated that only 66% of technology companies were confident in the accuracy of their IT-related emissions data.

In response, the alliance wants all mobile operators to move away from the current financial or price-based Scope 3 reporting methods and adopt a unit-based approach instead, in order “to improve data accuracy“. The guidance also emphasises the need for greater collaboration and industry-wide alignment of calculation methods.

Laurent Leboucher, Chairman of the NGMN Alliance Board, said:

“Tackling Scope 3 emissions is one of the greatest challenges for our industry — and it can only be done through stronger collaboration across the value chain. This new guidance marks an important step toward more accurate, transparent reporting and provides a clear path for the industry to prioritise meaningful carbon reduction.”

The publication also reviews key standards and regulatory frameworks, explores their interrelationships, and recommends that stakeholders stay aligned with and actively contribute to the evolving regulatory landscape.

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Mobile network operator Vodafone recently hooked up with semiconductor (CPU etc.) firm MediaTek to test the combination of their 5G Standalone (5G SA) based mobile broadband network with the latest M90 modem. The solution proved able to deliver 5G uplink speeds of up to 277Mbps at their test facility in Madrid (Spain).

The majority of 5G mobile networks today are still Non-Standalone (NSA), which means they are partly reliant upon older and slower 4G infrastructure. But SA networks are pure end-to-end 5G that can deliver ultra-low latency times, greater energy efficiency, better speeds (particularly uploads), network slicing, improved support for Internet of Things (IoT) devices, Voice over New Radio (VoNR or Vo5G) and increased reliability and security etc.

Vodafone is deploying their new 5G SA network across a number of countries in Europe, including the United Kingdom, but to make the most of this requires network hardware and end-user devices able to access the full potential. This is where the new modem from MediaTek could help, although they’re not the only such chipset in town.

While approximately 90% of mobile traffic traditionally utilises the downlink channel from mobile masts to users’ smartphones, there is still a growing need for good upload speeds too (e.g. remote play, cloud services / gaming, businesses etc.). On this front, the new MediaTek processor theoretically claims it can deliver download speeds of up to 12Gbps (Gigabits per second) and boosts uplink performance by up to 20% based on the latest 5G specification (Release 17 – developed by 3GPP).

The test itself also boosted the 5G uplink connection by using carrier aggregation to combine several spectrum channels (bands), which increased the capacity and speed of the connection up to 277Mbps. But some key details remain unclear, such as exactly what bands were used, over what distance and how much spectrum frequency this involved etc.

Vodafone and MediaTek also used MIMO (multiple input, multiple output) antennas to transmit two data streams simultaneously from a single smartphone to the nearest mast, as well as tested it with the two key mobile data transmission methods – Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) and Time Division Duplex (TDD). “This is like adding extra 5G lanes to an existing mast. TDD is used to provide capacity at high frequency bands and is used in urban areas, and FDD is used on lower frequency bands to provide wider coverage,” said Vodafone.

HC Hwang, General Manager of Wireless Comms System at MediaTek, said:

“Enhancing uplink performance using groundbreaking technology will ensure next generation 5G experiences continue to support users globally.”

However, one key caveat here is that commercial smartphones do not yet support this feature (as they need uplink MIMO in FDD), but Vodafone and MediaTek said they aim to drive the development of compatible devices for the benefit of smartphone users everywhere.

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Broadband ISP Virgin Media Business (VMO2) has today followed BTWholsale by launching Microsoft’s ‘Teams Phone Mobile‘ service to its large business customers (250+ employees) in the UK, which among other things makes it easy to move between mobile and desktop Teams calls seamlessly.

According to VMO2, with a single phone number, or Teams ID, Teams Phone Mobile users can make and receive calls over traditional mobile, app-based, or desktop calling. The integrated experience includes mobiles within Teams calling services, allowing employees to extend ‘in a call’ status, access call history, and voicemail across devices for ultimate flexibility.

The company also claims to be “the only UK operator” offering the Teams Calling Automation Portal, enabling organisations to deploy and activate users within minutes. This tool streamlines administrative tasks by providing a centralised management interface where IT administrations can provision, configure, and manage phone numbers and calling features across the organisation.

“There are hundreds and thousands of field workers across the UK – from social workers to consultants, insurance assessors to field engineers – all of whom need unified solutions to do their best work on the move.” said Jessica O’Connor, Product Director at VMO2 Business. “With Teams Phone Mobile now available to our customers, Virgin Media O2 Business is giving these workers the seamless, secure solution they need to do their best work anywhere. Businesses are empowered to make vital cost savings, all while benefitting from enhanced productivity and responsivity.”