Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

UK ISP BT has published their first biannual progress update for 2025 on their delivery of Ofcom’s somewhat maligned 10Mbps Universal Service Obligation (USO) for broadband. The provider has so far helped to build a USO connection to over 8,411 premises (up from 8,248 in Oct 2024), with 349 further builds in-progress (up from 215).

The USO is a legally-binding and industry-funded obligation that falls on BT across the UK and KCOM in just Hull. In short, people living in areas where they can’t yet receive a 10Mbps or faster download speed, and aren’t expected to be covered by such a network in the next 12-months, can request a service capable of 10Mbps+ downloads (1Mbps upload) from the aforementioned internet providers.

A cost sharing model also applies here, which means that the providers will “calculate the total excess cost of the build and divide that between the eligible premises. If that amount is below £5,000 per premises (on top of the £3,400), we’ll automatically split the costs“. But some areas can still end up costing hundreds of thousands of pounds, even up to £1-2m, and would thus find the USO route to be unviable (here and here).

Ofcom states that 58,000 UK premises (0.2%) currently fall into the USO gap (i.e. those outside of suitable fixed line, fixed wireless or 4G mobile coverage) or 385,000 premises if you exclude wireless solutions. But the regulator predicts the current 58k figure could fall to 48k by the end of 2025, mostly as a result of upgrades delivered via publicly funded schemes (connection vouchers, project gigabit contracts etc.).

Just to be clear about this. Many of those who pursue the USO option via BT say they were offered 4G (mobile broadband) connections via EE instead, but those actually considered to have been delivered under the USO itself usually get Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP). Commercial builds of the latter have also helped to shrink the USO gap.

The gap will continue to shrink as both commercial and subsidised builds (e.g. the Gov’s £5bn Project Gigabit programme) expand. The government are also still exploring how best to reach those who live in “Very Hard to Reach” areas even faster speeds – roughly equating to the same sort of area as the USO is focused upon – and at the same time they’re due to review the USO itself (here), which could lead to changes. But this work seems to have been delayed a bit by the recent change in government.

BT’s April 2025 Broadband USO Report

The latest statistics continue to show that the delivery of USO is a slow process (e.g. in April 2023 there were 800 builds in progress, then 185 in Oct 2023, 265 in April 2024, 215 in Oct 2024 and now an uptick to 349). We suspect this may be a combination of factors, such as a lack of consumer familiarity with the USO (apply for it here), new services like Starlink becoming available, the shrinking area of USO eligibility and the fact that the policy may be running into the limitations of economically viable deliverability.

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Three Business, the business-to-business arm of mobile network operator Three UK, this morning claims to have launched the “UK’s first large-scale eSIM trial” for over 50,000 business, albeit initially only available to those in the Birmingham and Bristol areas. The trial will allow customers to test Three’s network before making the commitment to switch providers.

Unlike physical SIM cards, eSIMs embed an electronic 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).

However, so far eSIM based services have tended to be more focused on consumers, but Three Business are looking to change that. Switching mobile networks can be a big decision for businesses too, with coverage and service quality varying significantly by location. Traditionally, businesses have relied on coverage maps, external reports, and third-party analysis to make their choice, but these tools don’t always reflect real-world conditions.

The goal of the new eSIM trial, which will be delivered in partnership with eSIM Go, is to allow businesses to experience the Three network first-hand for 30-days alongside their existing provider. This will allow such firms to make a more informed decision based on actual performance.

Snehal Bhudia, Director Three Business, said:

“Choosing the right mobile network can feel overwhelming with conflicting information and the risk of getting it wrong. That’s why we’re offering businesses a free trial of our market-leading 5G network – alongside their current provider. It’s a simple, hands-on way to experience the difference for themselves, helping them make a confident, informed decision that drives real productivity gain for their business.”

The two cities were selected by Three Business due to their rapidly growing business ecosystems and status as major UK tech hubs. But it’s currently unclear how long the new trial will run for or when the final service might launch.

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Customers of Sky’s sibling NOW Broadband (NOW TV) ISP sub-brand, specifically those on their older “part-fibre” (FTTC) based superfast broadband packages, have been informed that their bundled Hubs (routers) are now unsupported and won’t be replaced if they develop a fault. But don’t “worry“, say NOW, because if that happens your service can be terminated or moved to Sky.

Sky Broadband itself has, thus far, been doing a modestly good job of offering upgrades to customers with bundled broadband routers that may have reached End of Life (EOL). This largely reflects recent changes in UK law, which requires ISPs to be more security conscious and “open with consumers on the minimum time they can expect to receive important security updates” for their smart / connected devices.

However, it appears as if NOW TV are taking a different approach for customers on their older own-brand NOW Broadband FTTC plans. This is seemingly focused upon those who are currently or will soon be in the process of considering whether to re-contract when their current package term comes to an end.

The problem is that this effectively seems to leave many existing NOW Broadband customers, at least those who want to use a secure and supported router, with little option but to either leave the ISP or switch to a package powered by Sky Broadband instead (something they’ve been offering, mostly via FTTP lines, since last year).

Extract from NOW TV’s Customer Email

Changes from March 2025

Please note, your Hub is no longer receiving security and service updates, or will stop receiving security updates by 2025. However, your Hub will continue to work as normal and will keep you connected to the internet.

We recommend, as a minimum, changing your Hub admin password to reduce the risk of security threats. This won’t change your WiFi password, just the password used to check your Hub details … From July 31st 2025, should your Hub develop a fault, we unfortunately won’t be able to provide a replacement. If this happens, don’t worry, you’ll be able to end your service immediately without any termination fees.

Most people will quickly note that changing the Hub’s admin password is not a panacea for all network and internet security related threats that users of unsupported NOW Hubs may face in the future. Likewise, telling customers not to “worry” because NOW TV still leaves them with the option of a free service termination, is far from ideal. Hopefully, those who want to exit their contract early don’t suddenly start dropping older hubs in the sink – totally by accident, of course.

The final option that NOW TV offers, if retaining unsupported kit or service termination are not palatable, is to switch to one of their more recent ‘NOW Powered by Sky‘ broadband packages. The newer packages started to be introduced last year, and at the time many people felt this had signalled the start of NOW Broadband’s gradual demise as a semi-independent broadband brand. The latest development may reinforce that perception.

Original article Total Telecom:Read More

News 

Octopus Group, the investment group behind Octopus Energy, is preparing to make its move into the UK mobile market, The Telegraph reported over the weekend. 

According to the article, the company is exploring plans to launch a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that could challenge the dominance of the UK’s current biggest four operators,  EE, Virgin Media O2, Vodafone, and Three. 

Octopus’s mobile service would operate by leasing capacity from an existing network, instead of investing in its own infrastructure. Sources speaking to The Telegraph indicated that discussions have taken place via Fern Trading, Octopus’s telecoms investment arm, with at least one major network operator. The project appears linked to Y Corporation, a mobile provider owned by Fern Trading, which currently has a wholesale agreement with Three. 

Y Corporation is reportedly considering an eSIM-only model targeting both enterprise and consumer markets. Adam Dunlop, former head of TalkTalk’s consumer division, was appointed to drive the mobile expansion earlier back in January. 

The mobile push follows Octopus Energy’s success in the utilities sector, where it now supplies over 13 million customers, and has overtaken British Gas to become the UK’s largest household energy supplier. 

A new mobile service under the Octopus brand would complement the group’s growing telecoms footprint, which includes broadband providers such as Cuckoo and AllPoints Fibre. Fern Trading recently announced plans to merge several of its altnets into a single entity to strengthen its market position ahead of expected industry consolidation. 

The move comes at a key time for the UK’s mobile sector, with Vodafone and Three’s £15 billion merger set to reshape the market landscape. Should Y Corporation continue its partnership with Three post-merger, it would gain access to the UK’s largest mobile network. 

Join us at Connected Britain, 24-25 September in London. Get tickets here! 

Also in the news:
Diversifying the UK’s data centre landscape: a path to economic growth
Connected North: Thoughts from the show floor
Connected America 2025: Is there a US–China 5G rollout race?

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Existing customers of Virgin Media and O2’s various broadband, mobile, phone and TV packages may like to know that their ‘Priority’ app, which rewards subscribers with various special offers and discounts, has this week launched “Blue Mondays” to give UK subscribers something to smile about at the start of every week with lots of special rewards.

The move is being promoted as a “significant refresh” of how Priority usually works and will see more than two million exclusive rewards, prizes and experiences being given away to Priority members, every Monday, this year.

As part of the Blue Mondays line-up, O2 is introducing Get on the plane with Priority, a new offering for summer 2025 that will see 100 Priority members receive a £300 voucher, redeemable against a holiday on lastminute.com, every Monday until 30th June.

On top of that, there will be other ‘Monday only’ rewards, such as 2 cinema tickets at Vue for £6 or 4 for £12 (you can get a similar reward on other days, but it’s not as cheap).

Lisa Johnstone, VMO2 Director of Priority, Loyalty & Reward, said:

“At Virgin Media O2, customers are at the heart of everything we do, and we’re constantly finding new ways to make being a customer more rewarding.

Priority has always been a loyalty trailblazer, and we’re continuing to innovate with initiatives like Blue Mondays — our way of showing appreciation and putting customers first. By investing in new experiences and enhanced rewards, we’re saying thank you in a way that truly matters – helping our customers enjoy the everyday alongside life’s most special moments, while getting even more value from being part of the Virgin Media O2 family.”

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

A couple of weekend newspaper reports have stated that the Fern Trading (Octopus Group) backed Y Corporation appears to still be gearing up to launch a new UK mobile operator of their own, which would be backed by a virtual operator (MVNO) agreement with Three UK. But readers of ISPreview will know that they already tried this last year (here) – leaving many early adopters confused.

According to the FT (paywall), which itself followed a report in the Sunday Telegraph, Fern has approached Three UK (soon to be merged with Vodafone) to explore the plans, with Y Corp already having an existing wholesale arrangement with the network operator as part of its branded MVNO offerings to businesses.

However, both articles seemed to be unaware of the fact that Y Corp already attempted this with a confusing “beta” launch at the end of 2024, which wasn’t initially promoted as a trial to early adopters. The new Ymobile service first went live in November 2024 by claiming to be the UK’s “first data-led, eSIM MVNO” (here), all while claiming to offer users a “simpler, more streamlined and environmentally friendly” alternative to traditional operators.

The plans they offered reflected a simplified range of 30-day 4G and 5G capable data-only (mobile broadband) eSIM plans (e.g. £5 for 10GB and up to 100GB for £15). But a month later (Dec 2024) the Y Mobile website suddenly vanished, while early adopters were informed that the service was in a “beta phase” (not something they mentioned in the original press shot) and the operator had “decided to temporarily pause Ymobile’s service“. Customer plans were then “terminated” in January 2025 (here).

A spokesperson for Ymobile told ISPreview in Dec 2024:

“As part of our ongoing commitment to delivering an outstanding mobile experience, we have decided to temporarily pause Ymobile’s service while we prepare for the next stage of its development.

This decision follows the completion of our beta phase, and we now begin our process of developing a more robust and advanced version of Ymobile for launch in the near future.

All of our current users’ contract agreements have been fulfilled, and the service is now in the process of being paused.

We appreciate all our users’ trust and understanding as we take this step, which will enable us to offer them an even better service moving forward. We will keep all our users updated on our progress, and we look forward to starting this new chapter in our journey soon.”

Suffice to say that this was no way to launch a new retail service into the market and will have done the company some damage, although they also clearly indicated their intention to prepare a “more robust and advanced version of Ymobile for launch in the near future“. But to be fair, they did issue refunds and gave the right amount of notice.

According to the latest newspaper reports, Octopus appointed Adam Dunlop, the former TalkTalk Consumer Chief, as a Director in January to explore the plans (the same month they terminated the old service) and still appear to be preparing to go live with a new service in the near future. But they’ll need to do something special to make up for the messy first attempt, which isn’t easy in today’s already quite diverse mobile market.

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

The Welsh Government (WG) has moved into the final market engagement phase of their proposed £70m (state aid) “Extending High Speed Broadband Reach in Wales” (EHSBRW) project, which aims to help upgrade broadband for some or all of the remaining 84,000 premises (i.e. those that can’t yet get “superfast” speeds of 30Mbps+).

Regular ISPreview readers will know that the WG first began to explore the viability of such a project in May 2023 via a Prior Information Notice (here). The project is intended to complement that UK Government’s wider £5bn Project Gigabit programme, which aims to reach “nationwide” (c.99%) coverage of gigabit-capable broadband by 2030 (currently at around 87%). But it’s acknowledged that the latter will still not be enough to completely cater for all of the hardest-to-reach remote rural locations (i.e. those that are too expensive for even Project Gigabit).

The good news today is that the WG appears to be moving forward with the EHSBRW project by taking it out of the gestation stage and publishing a Preliminary Market Engagement Notice (PMEN). This notifies suppliers of their intention to proceed with a procurement for the Project, and identify likely contract terms for the Framework and call-off contracts that may be awarded under the Framework.

The final number of premises that are anticipated to be in scope for the Framework will be provided as part of the associated tender documents, but this will be subject to refinement/update during the duration of the Framework. Suffice to say that we don’t yet know precisely how many premises the final tender may seek to tackle, but we suspect it will be a lot less than the headline 84,000 premises (this figure is also now out of date).

WG Market Engagement Notice

The Welsh Government expects the Framework will have two LOTS. The first lot will be for projects that require the installation of broadband network infrastructure to 1,000 premises and over. The second lot will be for projects that require the installation of broadband network infrastructure to under 1,000 premises. The second lot will be suitable for SME’s and Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs).

The Authority expects the first Framework will commence in summer 2025 with the first call-off contract under the Framework being awarded in autumn 2025.

Please note that the estimated total value set out in this notice is in respect of all call-off contracts that may be awarded under the Framework. At this stage, it is an estimate only and is in no way guaranteed or final. The associated tender documents for this opportunity will contain more specific information.

The dates and total duration for the Framework and any call-off contracts referred to in this notice are also estimates and for illustrative purposes only. The associated tender documents for this opportunity will confirm the relevant anticipated dates for the Framework.

The WG is now inviting potential suppliers (Openreach, Ogi, Netomnia, Virgin Media/ nexfibre etc.) to formally express an interest in their related market engagement exercise, which is due to conclude on 5th May 2025. The formal tender notice will then aim to be published by 28th May 2025 and the awarded contract(s) would run for 8 years, potentially from 1st August 2025 to 31st July 2033 (estimated).

The project is only now able to proceed properly because the UK’s primary Project Gigabit programme has now almost completed its related contract awards for Wales (these have largely gone to Openreach via Type-C contracts to expand FTTP broadband into rural areas), which will give the WG a better idea of which premises may end up being left out and needing extra help.

In addition, the WG plan to complement this by reopening their Access Broadband Cymru (ABC) grant / voucher scheme (here). We’re currently awaiting the details of their revised approach for that, which is due imminently.

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Network operator CityFibre has today announced that the first customers have gone live on their new 10Gbps capable full fibre (FTTP) broadband ISP network in Hampshire (England), which is being built as part of their £104m state aid supported Project Gigabit contract (Lot 27) – this aims to reach more than 75,000 extra premises across hard-to-reach rural areas.

The operator, which is supported by ISPs like Vodafone, TalkTalk, Zen Internet and many more (Sky Broadband to go live soon), already covers around 4.4 million (4.2m RFS) UK premises with full fibre broadband – mostly in urban areas – and their ambition is to cover up to 8m (funded by c.£2.4bn in equity, c.£4.9bn debt and nearly £1bn of BDUK / public subsidy) – representing c.30% of the UK.

Over the past couple of years, CityFibre has also secured ten Project Gigabit contracts. In total, over 1.3 million additional homes and businesses stand to benefit from CityFibre’s Project Gigabit rollout over the next 5-years, with the latest project area to start going live being within their Hampshire patch.

The first homes have just been connected on Hayling Island, which sits just off the south coast of England. Build completion on the Hampshire contract was originally anticipated for March 2029 (here).

Telecoms Minister Chris Bryant, said:

“Communities across remote parts of Hampshire will soon see the back of connectivity drop-outs and constant buffering with this installation of lightning-fast broadband.

We recently launched our Digital Inclusion Action Plan, setting out our next steps to shrink the digital gap. Today’s news is a fantastic example of how a Government-backed contract will help ensure people in rural areas are not left behind and have the tools they need to work and thrive in the digital age.”

Simon Holden, Group Chief Operations Officer at CityFibre, said:

“Reliable, high-speed broadband is more than just a convenience, it’s a necessity for work, education and everyday life. Thanks to this investment from Project Gigabit, Hampshire is set to reap the benefits of full fibre and unlock better opportunities for residents and businesses. CityFibre is proud to provide this essential infrastructure to drive digital progress and support the local community’s future.”

The subsidy from BDUK also compliments CityFibre’s own commercial investment across the area of Havant, which will enable even more areas of Hampshire to access full fibre broadband. CityFibre is based in London and is owned by funds managed by Antin Infrastructure Partners, Infrastructure at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Mubadala Investment Company, Interogo Holding, Newlight Partners and PATRIZIA’s European Infrastructure Fund II.

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Broadband and phone provider BT (EE) has today launched a new campaign with Moira Stuart, a well-known English TV presenter and broadcaster, to help raise awareness around the switch to digital landlines and the forthcoming deadline of 31st January 2027 for vulnerable users.

Just to recap. The big analogue phone switch-off was last year delayed to 31st January 2027 in order to give broadband ISPs, phone, telecare providers, councils and consumers more time to adapt (details). But the main focus of this delay was the 1.8 million UK people who use vital home telecare systems in the UK (e.g. elderly, disabled, and vulnerable people), which aren’t always compatible with digital phone services (i.e. telecare providers have been slow to adapt). Take note that for everybody else, the switching deadline is still technically Dec 2025.

The industry-led shift to digital phones is being driven by two major changes, including the looming retirement of copper lines in favour of full fibre (FTTP) broadband (inc. future exchange closures) and the fact that reliability of the old network is in decline (i.e. it’s becoming harder for operators to source parts and skills for older technologies). Not to mention that it is not economically feasible to maintain both the old and new networks side-by-side long term, particularly as users of the old network dwindle.

Both the past and present governments have already responded to these concerns by encouraging the industry to adopt various changes (here and here), such as by ensuring that no vulnerable customers are migrated by the major providers (e.g. BT, Virgin Media, Vodafone and Sky Broadband) until their telecare systems have been confirmed to work with the new digital phone service.

Several major telecommunications providers have also launched national awareness campaigns around the switchover (National Telecare Campaign), which is where BT’s latest effort with Moira Stuart comes into play. So far “almost” 3 million BT customers across the UK have already made the switch to their IP-based Digital Voice replacement for traditional landline phones.

BT is now in the process of kicking off a new targeted regional rollout this spring, which “prioritises vulnerable customers with tailored support and in-home assistance” to ensure a smooth switch to Digital Voice. The new campaign is thus designed to reassure customers that, for most, switching to a digital landline is simple – while also helping those with additional needs, or their loved ones, understand what support is available to them and how they can make the move with confidence.

Moira Stuart said:

“Like many people, I’ve relied on a landline for most of my life – so I was curious to understand what switching to Digital Voice really means.

I’ve learned that for most of us, it’s as easy as plugging your phone into your broadband router, and you’re good to go. It’s great to see how much BT is doing to support its customers through the change – and I know first-hand how important it can be to have that extra protection against scam calls.”

The new rollout for vulnerable customers, which will be supported by “free in-home visits from engineers and battery backup units” to keep them connected during power cuts (details), is expected to start ramping up from “late-Spring“.

Rollout schedule for vulnerable customers:

Spring 2025: East of England, Northern Ireland, Wales, Yorkshire & Humber
Summer 2025: East Midlands, London, North East England, Scotland
Autumn 2025: North West England, South East England, South West England, West Midlands

BT said they’re working closely with local authorities, telecare providers and community organisations to “deliver the right support, in the right places, at the right time“. For those without broadband, BT said they will provide a dedicated landline service, requiring no new equipment or engineer visit. This will ensure these customers can continue using their landline in the same way they do today until 2030.

The above reflects BT and Openreach’s launch of a new Pre-Digital Phone Line (PDPL) product (aka – SOTAP for Analogue). This essentially attempts to replicate how the old phone service worked, albeit over a more modern network (i.e. it does NOT require a broadband connection to function and or require battery backup). But this is only a temporary solution and it will only be available to vulnerable and edge use cases (inc. CNI) users on existing lines (not new customers) who would otherwise “face challenges” in migrating to IP based voice solutions by the deadline.

All of BT’s customers will receive at least four weeks’ notice before any change. Those who feel they need extra support are encouraged to register via BT’s Additional Needs webform. BT has the largest quantity of phone-only customers in the UK and so their approach is the most important one, but other major ISPs and phone providers must follow a similar approach.

Original article Total Telecom:Read More

Insight

By Spencer Lamb, Chief Commercial Officer at Kao Data  

Data centres are the foundations of our digital economy and the backbone of the AI revolution. The UK’s data centre industry is heavily concentrated in and around London, with more than 85% of facilities in Slough and across West London – which together, represent the second largest data centre hub in the world. 

The significant reliance on areas around London as a data centre hub puts all the industries’ “eggs” in one basket, which heightens vulnerability to electrical grid disruptions such as the one evidenced at Heathrow airport recently. Having 85% of the country’s data centres spread across a handful of postcodes also presents itself as an obvious national security risk, especially given the Government designated data centres as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) in late 2024.   

This approach also exacerbates regional economic disparities, with investment remaining in the south east. While London continues to grow as a global hub for data storage and processing, other regions within the UK are left behind in terms of technological advancement, investment and high quality job creation. 

To address this imbalance, the UK must diversify its data centre footprint by following the example of European counterparts like France, Germany and Spain. These countries have distributed their data centre infrastructure across multiple cities, with France having large data centre hubs in Paris, Marseille and Lyon; Germany with data centres in Frankfurt, Berlin, Cologne and Munich and Spain with data centres in Madrid, Zaragoza and Barcelona. 

The UK government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan, released earlier this year, provides a framework for establishing AI Growth Zones (AIGZs). These zones could streamline planning processes within certain regions and accelerate the development of renewable energy to provide sustainable energy sources to help power the data centres.  

Greater Manchester—and the North West as a whole—is well-suited to be designated as an AIGZ, offering an alternative to London for a number of reasons. These areas offer good power connections, world class connectivity, formerly industrial brownfield land ready for development, and a skilled talent pool. They also have a well-established and growing tech and AI economy and a strong talent pathway from leading universities.  

The data centre industry has already contributed £4.5 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the UK economy and is projected to deliver ten times that amount over the next decade.  

A large data centre can create substantial employment opportunities. Construction alone can require over 1,000 workers, while long-term operations generate hundreds more jobs within the broader tech ecosystem. Over the next decade, nearly 60,000 jobs are expected to be created by this sector across the UK.  

By decentralising the UK’s data centre infrastructure and investing in areas outside of London, the UK can enhance its data centre resilience while addressing regional inequalities. With strategic planning and government support, data centres could become a cornerstone of regional regeneration and national economic growth. Greater Manchester and the North West has the potential to be the country’s pioneer in this regard, helping the UK establish a thriving secondary data centre hub. 

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