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The One Touch Switching Company (TOTSCo), which is the industry-led company responsible for helping to implement Ofcom’s solution (One Touch Switching) for easier and quicker UK consumer switching between broadband and phone providers, has this afternoon revealed that they’re aiming to go live with a switching solution for businesses in “early 2026“.

Just to recap. The current consumer focused OTS system is a Gaining Provider Led (GPL) process, where the customer contacts their new (“gaining“) ISP to start and manage the process on their behalf. But the new process is, technically, only a requirement for residential customers.

The UK telecoms regulator, Ofcom, has previously stated that this is because “business and residential customers can sometimes have different needs when switching and that there is diversity among business which means it may not be appropriate to specify certain rules that would apply to all business customers in the same way as to residential customers.”

However, business providers are still required to follow most of the same OTS rules (i.e. Ofcom simply have not specified what the process should be for such ISPs) and so, in practice, TOTSCo recognises that many business ISPs may see a benefit in using their platform to deliver a switching solution. But to be clear, there is no requirement for any ISP or Managed Access Provider (MAP) to use TOTSCo’s own business switching solution (once it exists) and business switching is considered a competitive market.

Nevertheless, TOTSCo has spent a good few months developing a switching solution for businesses, which is occurring alongside the separate Gaining Provider Led Business (GPLB) Switching Industry Process (here). The latest official blog post from TOTSCo’s CEO has provided a useful update on this and the planned timetable.

Paul Bradbury, CEO of TOTSCo, said:

We’re aiming to publish the price list for the TOTSCo Business Switching Solution in early May, with connection testing available from the end of May. We’ll be sharing details soon on how you can sign up to take part.

Our planning is currently focused on a go-live in early 2026, and we’re working closely with industry to make sure the solution is robust, practical, and ready to scale.

Resources to Support Your Planning
For those starting to prepare:

• The TOTSCo GPL Business Switching API Specification (beta version) is available here.
• The GPL Business Switching Industry Process, created by the GPL Business Steering Group (GPLB SG), is available here.
• Additional documentation, including the message specification, is expected soon from the GPLB SG.

In addition, on the consumer side of things, Paul stated that TOTSCo deployed a system upgrade over the Easter Weekend, which aims to “further strengthen overall performance and give us added confidence that we’ll continue to meet system SLAs“. As it stands, a total of 920,000 switches have now been successfully completed since the system launched in Sept 2024 (up from 673,000 in mid-March 2025) and 324 brands (e.g. broadband ISPs) are now live in their directory (up from 317).

However, some smaller ISPs have yet to go fully live on the switching platform, which makes it difficult for related consumers to switch providers. Ofcom has yet to take any enforcement action against such providers, which may partly be in recognition of the fact that the new switching system still has a few bugs and issues to tackle.

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Several customers of UK ISP Sky Broadband have now informed ISPreview that the provider’s support staff have recently notified them about the launch, next month, of new WiFi Max hardware. This appears to reflect both the Sky Max Hub router and the Sky Max Pod WiFi extenders.

The information could be seen as an update or complement to our prior news (here), which indicated that the first large-scale customer trials of Sky Broadband’s new CityFibre powered FTTP packages are predicted to begin next month (May 2025) – possibly alongside a soft launch of related packages.

We have previously suggested that the new CityFibre plans were almost certain to require a new router (the current Max Hub would struggle to deliver CF’s top speeds). But Sky’s support staff have also been indicating to those on Openreach based FTTP lines that the new kit will be made available to them too (it’s unclear if this will extend to FTTC / G.fast users).

Officially, Sky cannot yet confirm a date for any of this, but they have promised to share more information soon. The current suite of Hubs will also remain available for customers, so it may only be certain packages or add-ons that can benefit from the new kit at launch. Speaking of which, we do not yet know for certain if Sky will be launching faster plans than 1Gbps at launch, but both Openreach and CF are able to offer such tiers at wholesale (up to 1.8Gbps download on Openreach and 2.5Gbps on CF – the latter being symmetric).

Original article Total Telecom:Read More

Interviews

Connected North 2025 was an enormous success, bringing together key stakeholders from accross the North of the UK to discuss the digital economy and emerging technologies.

Total Telecom’s very own Kieran Murphy was prowling the exhibition hall throughout the event, speaking to innovators helping the region on its digital journey.

Check out his interviews below!

Gareth Cottrell from CoverUp Key 

Tiffany Shurr from Calix

Steve Morris from ACOME Group

Susan Wiseman from Hutchinson

Rosemary Kavanagh from NetworkUX – Inakalum

Steve Kingdom, CTO Fixed Networks at Xantaro

Paul Howard from TP-Link

Join the industry in discussion about all of the biggest topics at Connected Britain 2025 live in London, September 24-25

Original article Total Telecom:Read More

Interview

At Connected America this year, we caught up with Brooke Donilon, Vice President of Government relations at the NCTA – The Internet & Television Association to discuss unlicensed spectrum and how it can benefit consumers and businesses, spectrum policy in the US, competition with China and much more. Check out the full interview below!

Original article Total Telecom:Read More

News 

The move is part of a major European Space Agency (ESA) mission launching later this month 

A satellite developed and built in the UK is set to become the first in the world to measure the structure and condition of Earth’s forests in 3D from space.  

Known as Biomass, the satellite will use radar technology to map tropical forests over a five-year period, helping scientists understand how carbon is stored and released by forest ecosystems.  

Current satellites can only measure the tops of forest canopies. Biomass, using long-wavelength P-band radar, will be able to penetrate cloud cover and foliage to estimate the amount of carbon stored in trees more accurately than any existing satellite. 

The data is expected to support climate change research, inform policy decisions, and contribute to long-term net-zero strategies. 

The mission was proposed by professors at the University of Sheffield and has been built by Airbus Defence and Space in Stevenage. It will launch from Europe’s spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, later this month. 

Since 2016, UK organisations have secured nearly €91 million in contracts related to the Biomass mission through ESA membership. The mission has involved more than 50 companies across 20 countries, with the UK playing a leading role in design, assembly, and testing. 

“The UK is back in the business of climate leadership and protecting the world’s forests through emerging and cutting-edge technologies is crucial to tackling the climate crisis,” said UK Climate Minister Kerry McCarthy. 

Keep up to date with the latest international telecoms news by subscribing to the Total Telecom daily newsletter   

Also in the news:
Virgin Media O2 to continue 3G switch off in Norwich, Telford, Guildford and Torquay
Amazon reassesses data centre expansion
Investing in the North: How Virgin Media O2 is powering a more connected, inclusive future 

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Rural-focused ISP Quickline, which is deploying their own gigabit-capable full fibre (FTTP) and fixed wireless access (FWA) broadband networks across rural parts of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire in England, this week said they were “proud to say our customers don’t have to worry about unfair [price hikes]” after continuing their price freeze.

The announcement, which was celebrated by the handing out of free ice cream in several of their recently covered communities (Isle of Axholme, Belton and Westwoodside), means that Quickline has once again frozen their prices for all 24-month contracts (no mid-contract hikes).

A total of 400 ice creams were handed out to residents in rural Lincolnshire during the PR stunt. James McAra of Quickline said: “Unlike other providers, we’re committed to keeping our prices the same for our customers for the full duration of their contract. We thought it would be a really nice way to celebrate this by handing out free ice creams, especially with a bit of sun shining.”

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Telecoms and broadband giant BT Group, which is primarily focused upon and based in the United Kingdom, has continued efforts to reduce their international operations this week by announcing a “preliminary” agreement to sell their sometimes troubled Italian business (BT Italia S.p.A) to Retelit for an undisclosed sum.

The unit being sold, which focused on business-to-business services, generated revenues of approximately €160m (£136m) in 2024. The deal is expected to “significantly enhance” Retelit’s fibre optic network by an additional 11,500km, resulting in a total network span exceeding 47,000km. It will also expand Retelit’s national data centre infrastructure by an additional 10MW of power capacity.

In recent years BT has scaled back its operations in Italy, which in 2017 suffered an accounting scandal (a court recently cleared BT Italia itself of wrongdoing, but convicted eight employees). It sold off some parts of the business to former national monopoly Telecom Italia (TIM) in 2021 and has previously done other deals with Retelit, which arguably laid some of the groundwork for this week’s announcement.

Back in 2023 BT also cut a significant amount of jobs from its Italian business, and we suspect BT Group’s CEO, Allison Kirkby, will be pleased to see the back of it.

Retelit Statement

This expansion will further strengthen Retelit’s coverage of the Italian corporate market, providing a more comprehensive suite of ICT infrastructure and services to support the innovation and the digital transformation of Italian enterprises.

The over 360 existing domestic business clients of BT in Italy transitioning to Retelit will benefit from a dynamic, B2B-focused organization that consistently invests in its assets, technology platforms, expertise, and service quality. Retelit possesses a proprietary infrastructure platform integrating network, data centers, and cloud capabilities, which currently stands as one of the most complete in Italy.

The agreement is still subject to approval by the relevant authorities. The announcement follows shortly after BT Group announced the acquisition of their Irish wholesale and enterprise business unit – ‘BT Communications Ireland Ltd.‘ (BTCIL) – by the Speed Fibre Group (here).

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Mobile operator O2 (Virgin Media) has today informed us that customers of their various Airtime plans can now take ‘Xbox Game Pass Ultimate’ for £14.99 per month and get a £1 airtime saving – offering access to hundreds of games with an annual saving of £12.

Game Pass Ultimate is now one of several subscriptions O2 customers can enjoy through O2 Extras via the MyO2 App. Those joining O2 or upgrading to a new plan can also choose Game Pass Ultimate as a paid Extra when completing their order online, in store or over the phone. The charge will then appear in their monthly bill from O2.

Game Pass Ultimate is the newest subscription service to join O2 Extra’s catalogue of options that also includes Disney+ from £4.99 per month, Prime for £8.99 per month (comes with a £2 discount), Cafeyn for £7.99 per month, McAfee Mobile Security Plus for £4.99 per month or McAfee Mobile Security Standard for £1.00 per month. O2 Extras appear on a customer’s monthly bill alongside their Airtime.

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Digital infrastructure firm Boldyn Networks, which is perhaps best known for helping to build a number of open access UK mobile and fibre networks, has been picked by Kingston Council (Kingston upon Thames) in London to build a new 10km long fibre (broadband, Ethernet etc.) network in the royal borough. Virgin Media’s business division will also be involved.

Work to install the new network, which is being conducted in partnership with Transport for London (TfL) and the Greater London Authority (GLA), is starting this month. The aim is to improve internet access for both local businesses, visitors, and residents around the town centre (including Surbiton), as well as services such as the borough’s CCTV system (58 locations).

The links will connect to the council’s main CCTV office site at Kingswood Business Park, which plays a crucial role in supporting public safety. A total of 12 connections will be delivered by Virgin Media (VMO2 Business), while 46 will be implemented by Boldyn Networks.

The project is funded through the GLA’s Strategic Investment Fund, allowing TfL and Boldyn Networks to deliver full fibre connectivity upgrades in London boroughs.

Paul Osborne, CCO for the UK & Ireland at Boldyn Networks, said:

“Delivering seamless connectivity through full fibre access to the London Boroughs is a major focus of what we do across the city. Our work with the Kingston Council is integral to our vision of creating an interconnected future where local communities and businesses are safer and can thrive.”

Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor of London for Business and Growth, said:

“In a world where access to reliable high speed digital connectivity is increasingly important, the Mayor and I are committed to ensuring that all Londoners and visitors are connected across the whole of the capital. Kingston and Surbiton are important growth hubs for business and leisure, as well as town centres for residents – so this new partnership will deliver significant improvements for local people, tourists and businesses.”

The new project is expected to be completed by February 2026. Boldyn Networks will work closely with the council to minimise disruption and ensure smooth implementation.

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

The UK government has today confirmed its intent to ban SIM Farms (both possession and supply) some 6 months after the new Crime and Policing Bill (CPB) receives Royal Assent. The move is designed to better protect the public from fraudsters and scammers who also use the devices for criminal purposes (e.g. sending scam/spam messages and calls to mobile users).

Just for some context. SIM farms are electronic devices that are capable of using five or more SIM cards simultaneously or interchangeably, and which allows the user to send Short Messaging Service (SMS) texts or phone calls in large numbers over the telecommunications (mobile) network. Such “farms” can have legitimate uses too, but they’re frequently used by criminals engaged in fraud (e.g. sending phishing scam/messages that are designed to steal personal or financial data).

The plan was actually first proposed as part of the previous government’s Criminal Justice Bill (CJB), although this was disrupted by the 2024 General Election and the same measure now comes under the CPB. The previous CJB also included other new powers, such as one that can force Regional Internet Registries, Local Internet Registries or even broadband ISPs to suspend internet domain names and IP addresses used for criminal purposes.

Fraud Minister, Lord Hanson, said:

“Fraud devastates lives, and I am determined to take the decisive action necessary to protect the public from these shameful criminals.

Two-thirds of British adults say they’ve received a suspicious message on their phone – equivalent to more than 35 million people – which is why cracking down on SIM farms is so vital to protecting the public.

This marks a leap forward in our fight against fraud and will provide law enforcement and industry partners the clarity they need to protect the public from this shameful crime. This government will continue to take robust action to protect the public from fraud and deliver security and resilience through the Plan for Change.”

The new offence will make the possession or supply of SIM farms without a legitimate reason illegal and carries an “unlimited fine” in England and Wales, albeit oddly falling to a £5,000 fine in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The move should complement action being taken by Ofcom, which has long been working with broadband, phone and mobile operators to tackle both domestic and international sources of spam and scam calls/texts. But delivering effective enforcement of such activity may be much harder, particularly when it occurs outside the UK.