Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Network operator Openreach (BT) has begun inviting broadband ISPs (CPs) to help test a new ‘Standard‘ install process for their Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) lines, which will go beyond the existing method that largely runs an optical fibre cable into your home and then connects that up to an internal Optical Network Terminal (ONT / optical modem).

At present Openreach are investing up to £15bn to deploy their new multi-gigabit speed capable full fibre broadband technology to cover 25 million UK premises by the end of December 2026 (currently passing over 23m). After that, there’s a further ambition to reach up to 30 million premises by 2030, but the build plan for the 2027-2030 period and their final coverage target for this has yet to be confirmed.

Most home installations for this new service typically fall under the operator’s ‘Standard Install‘ process which, as above, brings the fibre into your property and connects it up to an ONT (pictured) on the wall. The Standard install process attracts a connection charge of £127.26 ex. VAT at wholesale, although after special offers many retail ISPs will often cover this for “free“.

In addition, Openreach also offer a ‘Premium Install‘ and ‘Advanced Install‘ at extra cost, which usually goes a bit further and includes some extra work / testing. But the operator has just announced a new Proof of Concept (PoC) test that will slightly extend the Standard process scope to “offer connection of a CP-provided set-top box and/ or a Wi-Fi extender as well as the 1 device currently included“.

The move is likely to reflect the fact that a lot of ISPs now ship packages with bundled TV boxes and Wi-Fi mesh/extender systems. At the time of writing, we’ve only seen the public briefing for this, but we hope to have extra details soon. As this is part of the ‘Standard’ process then Openreach’s efforts may not involve detailed testing and setup of all the extra kit, which can in any case often be handled remotely by the ISP / Communications Provider or customer.

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Network operator Openreach (BT) has begun inviting broadband ISPs (CPs) to help test a new ‘Standard‘ install process for their Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) lines, which will go beyond the existing method that largely runs an optical fibre cable into your home and then connects that up to an internal Optical Network Terminal (ONT / optical modem).

At present Openreach are investing up to £15bn to deploy their new multi-gigabit speed capable full fibre broadband technology to cover 25 million UK premises by the end of December 2026 (currently passing over 23m). After that, there’s a further ambition to reach up to 30 million premises by 2030, but the build plan for the 2027-2030 period and their final coverage target for this has yet to be confirmed.

Most home installations for this new service typically fall under the operator’s ‘Standard Install‘ process which, as above, brings the fibre into your property and connects it up to an ONT (pictured) on the wall. The Standard install process attracts a connection charge of £127.26 ex. VAT at wholesale, although after special offers many retail ISPs will often cover this for “free“.

In addition, Openreach also offer a ‘Premium Install‘ and ‘Advanced Install‘ at extra cost, which usually goes a bit further and includes some extra work / testing. But the operator has just announced a new Proof of Concept (PoC) test that will slightly extend the Standard process scope to “offer connection of a CP-provided set-top box and/ or a Wi-Fi extender as well as the 1 device currently included“.

The move is likely to reflect the fact that a lot of ISPs now ship packages with bundled TV boxes and Wi-Fi mesh/extender systems. At the time of writing, we’ve only seen the public briefing for this, but we hope to have extra details soon. As this is part of the ‘Standard’ process then Openreach’s efforts may not involve detailed testing and setup of all the extra kit, which can in any case often be handled remotely by the ISP / Communications Provider or customer.

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Network operator Openreach (BT) has begun inviting broadband ISPs (CPs) to help test a new ‘Standard‘ install process for their Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) lines, which will go beyond the existing method that largely runs an optical fibre cable into your home and then connects that up to an internal Optical Network Terminal (ONT / optical modem).

At present Openreach are investing up to £15bn to deploy their new multi-gigabit speed capable full fibre broadband technology to cover 25 million UK premises by the end of December 2026 (currently passing over 23m). After that, there’s a further ambition to reach up to 30 million premises by 2030, but the build plan for the 2027-2030 period and their final coverage target for this has yet to be confirmed.

Most home installations for this new service typically fall under the operator’s ‘Standard Install‘ process which, as above, brings the fibre into your property and connects it up to an ONT (pictured) on the wall. The Standard install process attracts a connection charge of £127.26 ex. VAT at wholesale, although after special offers many retail ISPs will often cover this for “free“.

In addition, Openreach also offer a ‘Premium Install‘ and ‘Advanced Install‘ at extra cost, which usually goes a bit further and includes some extra work / testing. But the operator has just announced a new Proof of Concept (PoC) test that will slightly extend the Standard process scope to “offer connection of a CP-provided set-top box and/ or a Wi-Fi extender as well as the 1 device currently included“.

The move is likely to reflect the fact that a lot of ISPs now ship packages with bundled TV boxes and Wi-Fi mesh/extender systems. At the time of writing, we’ve only seen the public briefing for this, but we hope to have extra details soon. As this is part of the ‘Standard’ process then Openreach’s efforts may not involve detailed testing and setup of all the extra kit, which can in any case often be handled remotely by the ISP / Communications Provider or customer.

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

The Welsh Government’s (WG) Tech Valleys programme has announced that 17 primary schools in Blaenau Gwent to be upgraded to gigabit-speed internet as part of their new partnership with Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council and the Shared Resource Service.

The new service for the Blaenau Gwent region, which is said to be “up to ten times faster than some of the current connections” used by the schools (listed at the bottom of this article), is being funded by the WG and should deliver more reliable use of digital whiteboards, video conferencing, online learning platforms and resource-heavy applications all at once.

Many of the schools are said to have already received the upgrade, with full completion expected in time for the start of the new school year in September 2026.

Adam Price MS, Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, said:

“This investment builds on the solid foundations already laid through the Public Sector Broadband Aggregation programme, taking the existing fibre network in these schools and unlocking its full potential with gigabit-speed capability.

The difference this makes in the classroom is real and immediate. Lessons are more dynamic, engaging and better equipped to develop the digital skills that young people will need throughout their lives and careers.”

Schools receiving the upgrade: 

• Abertillery Learning Community Tillery Street Campus
• Abertillery Learning Community-Abertillery
• Blaen-y-Cwm Primary School-Ebbw Vale
• Bryn Bach Primary School-Tredegar
• Coed-y-Garn Primary School-Abertillery
• Cwm Primary School-Ebbw Vale
• Georgetown Primary School-Tredegar
• Glanhowy Primary School-Tredegar
• Rhos-y-Fedwen Primary School-Ebbw Vale
• Sorfrydd Primary School-Abertillery
• St Illtyds Primary School-Abertillery
• St Josephs R.C. Primary-Tredegar
• St Marys Church School-Ebbw Vale
• St Marys Roman Catholic Primary-Ebbw Vale

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

The SIM-Only mobile operator Spusu, which holds a virtual operator (MVNO) agreement to harness EE’s 4G and 5G (mobile broadband) network, has today celebrated their third birthday since launch in the UK by gifting existing customers an extra 5GB (GigaBytes) of data for free until 30th June 2026.

Since entering the UK market in 2023, spusu has grown from a new entrant in a heavily populated industry, to a provider trusted by more than 150,000 customers. The new offer is intended to celebrate that and will be expressed in an automated customer text message, being sent out today.

The message will contain instructions on how to claim the 5GB of complimentary data. The offer is available to all customers, except those currently on an unlimited data plan, for obvious reasons. To redeem, customers just need to respond to the automated anniversary text from spusu and the data will then be automatically added to customers’ plans.

Christian Banhans, UK MD at spusu, said:

“Three years ago, spusu entered the UK market with a goal to offer a fairer alternative to complicated mobile contracts and hidden costs. While we’ve grown significantly since 2023, what matters most is that we’ve remained true to the values that brought us to the UK market in the first place – transparency, affordability and exceptional customer service.

The trust and loyalty from our customers have been instrumental to our success. This 5GB giveaway is our way of saying thank you. As we enter our fourth year in the UK, our focus remains on delivering straightforward, great-value mobile services backed by the personal customer support that has helped us build lasting relationships with customers across the country.”

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Mobile operator O2 (Virgin Media) and wireless infrastructure firm Cellnex UK have today signed a 5-year agreement to join the Brighton Main Line (BML) connectivity project, which aims to expand “highspeed” 5G mobile (mobile broadband) connectivity and tackle mobile signal “not-spots” across the route.

The BML is a 108km long railway corridor in southern England that links London (Victoria and London Bridge) to Brighton on the south coast and handles 300,000 daily passengers (1,700 daily train movements). The route includes major commuter stations like London Bridge, London Victoria and Clapham Junction, as well as connecting into Gatwick Airport. The train operators on this line include Thameslink, Southern, Gatwick Express, Great Western Railway and London Overground Services.

Under the plan, O2 will gain access to Cellnex UK’s purpose-built neutral host infrastructure, enabling the phased rollout of high-speed mobile connectivity, including 5G, to customers across the entire route over the “coming months“. The move follows Cellnex signing Three UK in 2023.

New indoor coverage solutions are now being deployed to enhance mobile phone connections in three of the most important London stations, London Victoria, London Bridge, and Clapham Junction, which account for roughly 19% of railway passenger traffic to and from the capital from outside London.

Steve Cray, Managing Director of Cellnex UK, said:

“Regular railway passengers will understand the frustration of losing signal mid-conversation or spending whole journeys with buffering videos. With O2 now on board, many more passengers are going to notice the difference on one of the UK’s most important commuter routes. This collaboration stands as one of the most significant end-to-end telecommunications infrastructure deployments in British railway so far, and we are proud to be setting a new standard for the UK’s entire rail network.”

Professor Robert Joyce, Director of Mobile Access Engineering at O2, said:

“Our £700m Mobile Transformation Plan is focused on delivering reliable connectivity in the moments that matter most, and railway lines are a key part of that. By working with Cellnex to improve connectivity along the Brighton Main Line, we’ll be bringing improved coverage and capacity to customers travelling from the coast to the capital over the coming months.”

Cellnex designed, planned, and built this infrastructure in partnership with Network Rail under a 25-year contract awarded in 2021, enabling all UK mobile network operators (MNOs) to access shared connectivity. As above, Three UK customers (VodafoneThree) can already access this and O2 will now join them, with related coverage improvements being brought live in stages across the route.

Once fully activated, the shared infrastructure is expected to deliver “high speed connectivity” across 99% of the 108 km route, “drastically reducing historical not-spots and ensuring passengers enjoy reliable calls, uninterrupted streaming and stable app performance” throughout their journey. The goal is to bring “seamless connectivity” to a route long challenged by deep cuttings, long tunnels and Victorian-era station infrastructure.

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Shropshire-based independent UK ISP Aquiss, which sells full fibre broadband packages via several different networks (Openreach, CityFibre, Freedom Fibre, Gigaclear, Netomnia and FullFibre Ltd.), has this afternoon announced the launch of Fusion – a new Partner Portal that’s said to offer a faster, simpler way to order and manage connectivity solutions from over a dozen UK networks.

Partners can now search availability, place orders, manage existing services, view invoices and raise support tickets via a single login. Every partner will also be supported by a dedicated Account Manager, ensuring they receive “personalised, responsive service” alongside the self-service tools.

Fusion is already live and available to all Aquiss partners. The portal is designed to grow with the business, with further broadband networks, features and improvements planned throughout 2026 and beyond.

Martin Pitt, Managing Director at Aquiss, said:

“Fusion represents a significant step forward in how we support our partners. We’ve listened carefully to what they need — faster access to multiple networks, greater visibility, and the ability to manage everything in one place. At the same time, we’ve made sure that technology is backed by real people. Every partner gets a dedicated Account Manager who knows their business and is there to help.”

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Business communications and broadband provider Exponential-e has been awarded a 5-year Wide Area Network (WAN) Services contract by Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) in England. The deal will see the ISP deliver and manage a modernised Software Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) across more than 200 sites throughout the county.

Procured under the Crown Commercial Services (CCS) Network Services 3 Framework, Exponential-e will be tasked with replacing the LCC’s existing and “outdated” Public Services Network (PSN) infrastructure with a fully managed Cisco SD-WAN. The new platform should provide a unified, centrally orchestrated, secure and high-performing network environment with improved resilience and secure integration with cloud-based services.

The new platform will also support Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) services, including Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue with encrypted integration and centralised HSCN access. The solution will integrate with the Council’s operational and security platforms, incorporating secure-by-design principles, centralised monitoring, incident-response systems, automated failover capabilities, dynamic routing and flexible network segmentation to support a zero-trust security approach and fast onboarding of new sites.

Tom Baker, CIO at Lincolnshire County Council, said:

“Our vision is to build a technological ecosystem that not only supports our ongoing operational needs but meets the expectations of our citizens in digital delivery as a time of Local Government change. As an expert with technical ability and proven public sector expertise, Exponential-e will be critical in improving our ability to manage ongoing and accelerated change.”

Afshin Attari, Director of Public Sector and Unified Platforms at Exponential-e, said:

“We are proud to partner with Lincolnshire County Council to deliver a modern, resilient and secure network infrastructure that supports the delivery of critical public services across the county.

By implementing a centrally managed SD-WAN architecture, the Council will benefit from greater agility, enhanced security and improved operational resilience, while creating a scalable, sovereign platform capable of supporting future innovation and evolving digital service requirements.”

The contract was signed in March 2026 and will run until March 2031. Implementation has already begun, with service go-live dates due to be confirmed in the near future as part of a phased-deployment.

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Shropshire-based independent UK ISP Aquiss, which sells full fibre broadband packages via several different networks (Openreach, CityFibre, Freedom Fibre, Gigaclear, Netomnia and FullFibre Ltd.), has this afternoon announced the launch of Fusion – a new Partner Portal that’s said to offer a faster, simpler way to order and manage connectivity solutions from over a dozen UK networks.

Partners can now search availability, place orders, manage existing services, view invoices and raise support tickets via a single login. Every partner will also be supported by a dedicated Account Manager, ensuring they receive “personalised, responsive service” alongside the self-service tools.

Fusion is already live and available to all Aquiss partners. The portal is designed to grow with the business, with further broadband networks, features and improvements planned throughout 2026 and beyond.

Martin Pitt, Managing Director at Aquiss, said:

“Fusion represents a significant step forward in how we support our partners. We’ve listened carefully to what they need — faster access to multiple networks, greater visibility, and the ability to manage everything in one place. At the same time, we’ve made sure that technology is backed by real people. Every partner gets a dedicated Account Manager who knows their business and is there to help.”

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Mobile operator O2 (Virgin Media) and wireless infrastructure firm Cellnex UK have today signed a 5-year agreement to join the Brighton Main Line (BML) connectivity project, which aims to expand “highspeed” 5G mobile (mobile broadband) connectivity and tackle mobile signal “not-spots” across the route.

The BML is a 108km long railway corridor in southern England that links London (Victoria and London Bridge) to Brighton on the south coast and handles 300,000 daily passengers (1,700 daily train movements). The route includes major commuter stations like London Bridge, London Victoria and Clapham Junction, as well as connecting into Gatwick Airport. The train operators on this line include Thameslink, Southern, Gatwick Express, Great Western Railway and London Overground Services.

Under the plan, O2 will gain access to Cellnex UK’s purpose-built neutral host infrastructure, enabling the phased rollout of high-speed mobile connectivity, including 5G, to customers across the entire route over the “coming months“. The move follows Cellnex signing Three UK in 2023.

New indoor coverage solutions are now being deployed to enhance mobile phone connections in three of the most important London stations, London Victoria, London Bridge, and Clapham Junction, which account for roughly 19% of railway passenger traffic to and from the capital from outside London.

Steve Cray, Managing Director of Cellnex UK, said:

“Regular railway passengers will understand the frustration of losing signal mid-conversation or spending whole journeys with buffering videos. With O2 now on board, many more passengers are going to notice the difference on one of the UK’s most important commuter routes. This collaboration stands as one of the most significant end-to-end telecommunications infrastructure deployments in British railway so far, and we are proud to be setting a new standard for the UK’s entire rail network.”

Professor Robert Joyce, Director of Mobile Access Engineering at O2, said:

“Our £700m Mobile Transformation Plan is focused on delivering reliable connectivity in the moments that matter most, and railway lines are a key part of that. By working with Cellnex to improve connectivity along the Brighton Main Line, we’ll be bringing improved coverage and capacity to customers travelling from the coast to the capital over the coming months.”

Cellnex designed, planned, and built this infrastructure in partnership with Network Rail under a 25-year contract awarded in 2021, enabling all UK mobile network operators (MNOs) to access shared connectivity. As above, Three UK customers (VodafoneThree) can already access this and O2 will now join them, with related coverage improvements being brought live in stages across the route.

Once fully activated, the shared infrastructure is expected to deliver “high speed connectivity” across 99% of the 108 km route, “drastically reducing historical not-spots and ensuring passengers enjoy reliable calls, uninterrupted streaming and stable app performance” throughout their journey. The goal is to bring “seamless connectivity” to a route long challenged by deep cuttings, long tunnels and Victorian-era station infrastructure.