Homes and businesses in the New Forest (Hampshire, England) village of Everton were left cut-off from part of Openreach’s UK broadband and phone services this week, which occurred after criminals caused significant damage to the network while attempting to steal the operator’s copper telecoms cable.

The incident, which began on Monday, impacted 128 premises across the community and local reports (here) quote Hampshire Police as saying that 70 metres of copper cable was pulled up from a point on Lymington Road. Two men were spotted working in yellow jackets around a pavement near to that location a couple of days prior to the incident, possibly in preparation for the later theft.

Crimes like this have become common in recent years, driven in part by the high price of copper, although a series of UK-wide arrests toward the end of 2022 (example) – followed by some convictions – did put a limited dent in the activity. More recently, Openreach has seen a sharp 30% reduction in cable theft over the past year after introducing a new forensic liquid marker (SelectaDNA) to help track and protect their network (here).

However, SelectaDNA takes time to deploy and can’t be added to cables that are already in the ground, which leaves some scope for thieves to continue targeting the operator’s core copper cables. The perpetrators of such crimes never have any regard for the harm they cause to locals, some of which are dependent upon the related services.

An Openreach spokesperson said:

“We’re really disappointed that residents in the Everton area have borne the brunt of criminal behaviour and theft from our network. These attacks cause significant damage and unacceptable disruption to the lives of local people and put vulnerable people at risk.

Our cable was cut on Monday and the damage has impacted phone and broadband services to around 128 local homes and businesses. Engineers are working to restore services as quickly and safely as possible.”

Feedback posted to the local Facebook community group suggests that at least some of the affected homes may have been reconnected by late afternoon on Monday. We have since asked Openreach to supply a more up-to-date statement and await their response.

The rollout of full fibre (FTTP) lines should, eventually, help to reduce such thefts as fibre has no value to thieves. But this won’t completely stop the problem from occurring because fibre and copper cables often share some of the same ducts, and thieves sometimes confuse the two. BT and Openreach will eventually remove their copper cables too, but that’s a much longer process.

Openreach also has a partnership with Crimestoppers, which sometimes offers rewards for information given anonymously to the charity about cable thefts, if it leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible – you can contact them 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use their anonymous online form. You can also contact Openreach’s security team direct or report via the local police (101), or if you see a crime in progress, then call the police on 999.

Brighouse, 1st May 2024 – Abzorb, an innovator in public sector and business networking, has a developed and delivered a £1.2 million network transformation project for Norfolk County Council (NCC) that reduces costs while increasing performance and security across 221 sites. It developed a unified software-defined wide-area networking (SD-WAN) solution that enables NCC to use the most cost-effective connectivity provider at each site with monitoring and visibility delivered in a single platform.

90% of end users at NCC say they see improvement in network performance since the deployment and it has simplified things for the internal IT team as they no longer need to monitor and manage multiple solutions and providers. Abzorb created a bespoke internet-based solution that enables NCC to leverage the best networking technologies at each site, including FTTP, SoGEA, and Fibre Ethernet, while selecting the most cost-efficient and high-performing provider for long-term cost reductions.

“Abzorb provided us with a flexible foundation for connecting more than 200 sites with the best networking option at each site. Its technology and provider agnostic approach has enabled the Authority to improve security, reduce complexity and deliver savings benefiting the council, the communities we serve. The Abzorb team understands public sector and it’s challenges which helps us to develop a solution that is easy to manage with a small team but delivers trusted and reliable connectivity,” said Kurt Fray, Head of IT at Norfolk County Council. “Cost efficiencies mean that we’re able to explore emerging technologies and strategies to further optimise our IT capabilities and continue to enhance Digital services and Digital Service delivery in Norfolk.”

Abzorb’s tailored SD-WAN solution for NCC integrates existing hardware and optimises connectivity options at each location. It also simplifies network management with automated ticketing and fortifies network security with protection against Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. Abzorb monitors and manages NCC’s networking environment with a single streamlined support helpdesk service.

“Public sector networking doesn’t have to be complicated. We worked in collaboration with Norfolk County Council to understand their ambition, strategy, IT estate and investments then developed a solution that wouldn’t require ‘ripping and replacing’ existing investments in technology. Instead, we simplified operations and found ways to maximise the value of existing equipment within a solution that leverages cloud, automation and cybersecurity,” said Dean Al-Sened, Head of Public Sector and Enterprise at Abzorb. “We’ve proven that network transformation can deliver simplicity, flexibility, and agility for local councils. You just have to understand public sector needs and deliver innovative and creative solutions.”

The partnership enables Norfolk County Council to meet the evolving demands of its constituents and positions the County Council to proactively adapt to emerging trends, technologies and cloud services. Abzorb is a UK-based network solutions provider with 20+ years of experience delivering digital transformation for public sector organisations, service providers and enterprises.

####

About Abzorb

Abzorb Systems is a leading network solutions provider with over 20 years of experience. Headquartered in Brighouse, West Yorkshire, Abzorb understands that telecom solutions are not one-size-fits-all. Partnering with top-tier providers, it offers tailored communication solutions to enhance business operations. With 100,000s of mobile, fixed voice and data customer connections, it understands that technology and communications can shape and play a pivotal role in your business operations.

Partnering exclusively with top-tier providers, it delivers communication solutions that truly elevate business activities. Abzorb’s comprehensive suite of telecom services empowers businesses to tailor their telecom options according to their unique needs and those of their customers. Abzorb’s vision is to simplify the increasingly complex world of communications for its customers and partners, whilst enabling them to conduct business more efficiently by managing all their communication needs in one centralized platform.

https://www.abzorb.co.uk/

About Norfolk County Council

Norfolk County Council (NCC) is the main local authority for Norfolk providing services countywide to more than 900,000 Norfolk residents. It takes the lead in critical policy areas, working with 84 elected Members responsible for the strategic local government services in the county.

NCC provides high quality service through involving people who use our services to shape and comment on them and by promoting efficiency and innovation. NCC works in partnership with local businesses, voluntary organisations and other local authorities such as District and Parish Councils in order to provide the people of Norfolk with excellent services.

https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/

Having access to reliable, high-speed internet for work, communication and improved education opportunities is vital in today’s society with fibre fast becoming an essential utility. However, projects to support digital inclusivity often place emphasis on connecting rural communities and there are areas in towns and cities that remain overlooked.

These include MDUs, which have been a challenge to connect to high-speed internet. This is largely due to the more complex installation considerations MDUs demand and the need to work alongside landlords and housing associations who must comply with their own stringent safety standards.

MS3 Networks is tackling these challenges head on to provide more choice in broadband provider to those living in MDUs. Working closely with HCC, the company has been granted a master wayleave agreement to allow access to its MDU premises. Once connected to MS3’s network, tenants will enjoy a greater selection of broadband providers thanks to the growing number of internet service provider (ISP) partners on the network.

For decades, Hull residents have been limited to a single broadband provider and, as a result, some of the highest broadband costs in the country. Competition from the likes of MS3 Networks is turning that tide. As a wholesale network operator, MS3 has a growing list of ISP partners on its network, each offering a range of packages and prices.

“Offering access to MDUs is an important part of our strategy,” explained Jo Fleming, corporate partnerships manager at MS3 Networks. “MS3 holds a strong belief in the power of technology to bridge the digital divide and promote equal opportunities for all, and we have taken various steps to ensure that individuals from all communities benefit from the progress of the digital era. 

“Our business model works in a way that is quite unique, in that we sell directly via our multitude of wholesale partners only.  What this means is that the consumer can select internet packages that are aligned to their individual bandwidth and budget needs. In addition, our wholesale partners have implemented social tariffs specifically tailored to lessen the financial burden on individuals belonging to more economically disadvantaged communities. These tariffs provide discounted rates for internet services, making them more accessible to those who would otherwise struggle to afford them.

“We strive to work with Local Authorities and MPs with their digital inclusion strategies and understand the needs of the local areas and the overall economic benefit we can bring.”

To learn more about MS3 Networks and its partner network across the Humber region, visit the website.

News

Reports suggest that the West Africa Cable System (WACS) has been repaired this week, leaving just one remaining cable system awaiting repairs

In March this year, four submarine cables situated on the West Coast of Africa – WACS, Sat-3, Ace, and MainOne – were severed near the Ivory Coast, causing major internet issues across the continent.

The exact cause of the damage was unclear, though seismic activity in the region was the primary suspect.

Response by the cable owners was swift, with much of the affected traffic quickly migrated to other neighbouring cables, like Google’s Equiano system. However, disruption remained across the region, notably impacting Microsoft’s data centre operations in South Africa.

To make matters worse, repairing the cables would be far from straightforward. Earlier that same month, a trio of submarine cables had been severed in the geopolitically volatile Red Sea, drawing the attention of the small yet efficient cable repair ship community. This left relevant cable ships not only a continent away from the breaks in West Africa, but also battling through a lengthy permissions process to gain access to the militarily sensitive Red Sea.

As a result, repairs to the damaged Africa cables have faced lengthy delays. Sat-3 was reportedly repaired at the start of April, while repairs to the WACS were only completed on Tuesday.

While no specific announcement appears to have been made, the Ace system also appears to now be operational, according to reports.

The status of the MainOne cable remains unclear, though a cable ship (CS Sovereign) has reportedly been assigned to repair it, a process which should take until May 11.

How is the submarine cable ecosystem evolving in 2024? Join the cable operators in discussion at this year’s Submarine Networks EMEA conference

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Grid Telecom, the wholly owned subsidiary of the Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO) of Greece and Quadrivium Digital, are joining forces to create a new world-class Cable Landing Station (CLS) in Chania, on the northern coast of Crete.

This CLS will be hosted within Quadrivium’s 20MW Interconnection Data Centre (DC) campus and will act as a new node to anchor international subsea cable systems from Asia and Africa crossing the Eastern Mediterranean. It will connect Greece and the broader Balkan – Mediterranean region with Turkey, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Israel, Cyprus, Egypt, all GCC countries, and other East, South, and West destinations.

Grid Telecom and Quadrivium Digital will offer state-of-the-art infrastructure for the secure landing and operation of subsea optical fibre cable systems in Crete, including services for housing the power feeding and subsea line terminating equipment, as well as other mission-critical equipment for interconnection and peering of optical, Ethernet and IP data traffic. Quadrivium’s facility in Chania combines world-class landing infrastructure with a Tier III+ DC, providing a “CLS-within-a-DC” total solution.

A buried borepipe into the sea with eight ducts will provide a cutting-edge solution, compliant with international specifications. Multiple Beach Manholes (BMH) will land subsea cables and connect directly via secure fronthaul into Quadrivium’s Tier III+ DC. As part of this development, Grid Telecom will provide diverse and highly reliable backhaul network to all existing and new DCs on the island of Crete, the Greek mainland, as well as in neighboring countries, leveraging its capabilities to interconnect securely through its terrestrial and subsea networks.

The strategic partnership between Grid Telecom and Quadrivium Digital will bring advanced data transport solutions to the market, creating a new telecommunications corridor between Europe and the Middle East. Leveraging the strategic position of Crete, it will create a new super hub through alternative low latency paths to most destinations in South Eastern Europe, Turkey, Egypt, Cyprus, Israel, and the Arabian Peninsula.

The Chairman of Grid Telecom, Mr. Kostas Agathakis, said:

“We are continually looking for ways to strategically expand our services to partners and customers. In this framework, our plans to partner with Quadrivium Digital in building a new CLS in Crete will significantly support the implementation of new, international alternative routes. Moreover, it will enhance the strategic role of Crete as a crucial open access interconnection node in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans”.

The CEO of Quadrivium, Aditya Ayyagari, said:

Chania is the Eastern-most location where international networks can peer within the European Union’s regulatory and commercial framework, with 10-15 ms latencies into Greece, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Israel and GCC countries – cutting latencies into Marseille by half. This strategic partnership with IPTO and Grid Telecom creates a combined landing and interconnection solution which helps subsea cable consortiums completely eliminate costly and time-consuming permitting processes and landing infrastructure construction. Furthermore, the ability to directly cross-connect with other subsea cables, backhaul carriers and digital platforms within Quadrivium’s Interconnection Data Centre creates a rich ecosystem that brings digital transformation to Greece, Crete, and the Municipality of Chania.

The Chairman and CEO of IPTO, Manos Manousakis, stated:

“IPTO is building critical infrastructure for tomorrow’s electricity and telecommunications backbone networks throughout Greece and beyond, contributing to Greece’s transformation into a critical energy and data hub of high geopolitical value at the crossroads of Europe, Africa and Asia. Neutral Data Centers and open-access cable landing stations create synergies and add value, which is why we highly value the strategic cooperation between IPTO’s subsidiary, Grid Telecom and Quadrivium. In this framework, leveraging on the strategic geographical position of Crete, creates win-win business opportunities and brings innovative total telecommunications solutions, enhancing the strategic role of Greece as a neutral open-access connectivity node in the broader Balkans – Mediterranean region.”

– End-

About IPTO:

The Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO) is responsible for the operation, monitoring, maintenance, and development of the “Hellenic Electricity Transmission System”, aiming to ensure safe and undisrupted power supply across the country. IPTO’s “Ten Year Network Development Plan” provides for the electrical interconnection of major Greek islands in the High Voltage System by 2029, the strengthening and modernization of the continental power grid as well as the facilitation of Greece’s transition towards a cleaner energy mix. IPTO’s investment program, includes the Crete-Attica power link, supplemented with dual optical fiber cables, the completion of Cyclades as well as the interconnections of the Dodecanese and the NE Aegean islands. IPTO is also developing new international interconnections to Italy, Bulgaria, Albania, North Macedonia and Turkey, and supports new subsea electricity interconnectors which are being are promoted, to Cyprus, Israel, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia with Greece as the main hub.

For more information, contact:

Email: pressoffice@admie.gr

About Grid Telecom:

Grid Telecom was established in 2019 as a wholly owned subsidiary company of the Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO) of Greece and acts as its telecommunications vehicle for providing wholesale services and total solutions to national and international operators and large enterprise customers. Grid Telecom’s optical fiber terrestrial and subsea network exceeds 4,000 km throughout Greece and will soon exceed 6,000 km connecting most Greek islands with the core network, offering dark fiber and spectrum, achieving the shortest possible routes, network diversity, maximum security, and very low latency. Grid Telecom is developing a growing international optical fiber network that is supported by a state-of-the-art proprietary DWDM optical network, providing ultra-fast capacity services, as well as collocation services within protected areas in IPTO’s substation sites across Greece.

For more information, contact:

Email: pressoffice@grid-telecom.com

About Quadrivium Digital:

Quadrivium Digital is an infrastructure platform founded in 2022 by a team with decades of experience in the Data Centre industry. The Quadrivium Digital team have expertise in creating network-dense interconnection hubs that become major transit and exchange nodes in the world’s internet architecture. Quadrivium Digital’s portfolio of interconnection Data Centres, established with the termination of subsea cables across multiple EMEA locations, is attractive to subsea cable consortiums, telecom carriers, content providers and digital platforms. Our customers and partners benefit from better network resilience and latency, lower platform costs and accelerated revenue generation.

For more information, contact:

Email: info@quadrivium.digital

News 

The move comes as Microsoft ramps up its data centre investments worldwide 

Microsoft and asset management company Brookfield have agreed a renewable energy deal whereby Microsoft will invest an estimated $10 billion in energy projects that will be developed by Brookfield and its renewable company arm. 

The deal will see Brookfield Renewable Partners provide 10.5 gigawatts of new renewable energy capacity between 2026 and 2030 in the U.S. and Europe, which will be added to the grid that Microsoft data centres draw electricity from. Microsoft, in return, will gain access to a pipeline of new renewable energy capacity, supporting the increasing demand for cloud services both domestically and globally. The scope of the deal may widen at a later date to include Asia-Pacific, India, and Latin America. 

No explicit financial details of the deal were disclosed, although the Financial Times estimated that adding the new capacity would cost over $10 billion, citing “recent industry trends.” 

“This first of its kind agreement, which is almost eight times larger than the largest single corporate PPA ever signed, is a testament to our ability to reliably deliver clean power solutions at scale to our corporate partners and accelerate the energy transition,” said Connor Teskey, CEO of Brookfield Renewable and President of Brookfield Asset Management in a press release. 

The deal is an extension of a pre-existing collaboration between the two corporations. Prior to this agreement, nearly one gigawatt of renewable capacity had already been contracted. As well as making use of wind and solar energy, the partnership will explore new carbon free energy generation technologies, contributing to both companies’ goals to decarbonise global energy supplies and reduce carbon emissions, including Microsoft’s sustainability goals of having all of its electricity consumption matched by zero carbon energy purchases by 2030. 

The USA is home to a third of the world’s data centres, and Microsoft has ramped up its investment in both its domestic and foreign markets in order to gain a competitive edge over rivals such as AWS. Last month the company unveiled an AI hub in London, following Microsoft’s 2023 pledge to invest £2.5 billion over the next three years to expand its UK data centre infrastructure. 

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that the investment “a  for the future of AI infrastructure and development in the UK,” in government statement.   

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

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News

In our fast-paced telco world, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a distant future—it’s here, transforming the way we connect, communicate, and collaborate. At Total Telecom, we recognise the pioneering spirits driving this change. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce the launch of our exciting competition: Telco AI Champions! 

We’re on the hunt for the unsung heroes of Telco AI, those forward-thinkers who are redefining the boundaries of what’s possible in our industry. Whether they’re innovating behind the scenes or leading from the front, their impact is undeniable—and it’s time their contributions were celebrated. 

Do you know someone who fits the bill? Perhaps a colleague who’s spearheading AI initiatives, or an industry contact whose insights are shaping the future of telecoms? Here’s your chance to give them the recognition they deserve. We’re looking to showcase the Top 20 Most Influential Voices in the Telco AI Space, and your nomination could shine a spotlight on a deserving individual. 

To nominate your Telco AI Champion, simply click here and fill out a quick Google Form. It’s a fantastic opportunity to honour the innovators and thinkers who are making a significant impact in telecommunications through the power of AI. 

Don’t miss out on this chance to celebrate excellence in our field. Nominate your Telco AI Champion today! 

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Vodafone has today confirmed their commitment to deploy 5G Standalone (5G SA / mobile broadband) technology to rural Wales as part of its proposed merger with Three UK, while adding that the merger “could” also result in 4G being delivered to more than 93% of the Welsh landmass by 2027, which would then lead to an upgrade to 5G by 2034.

Most existing 5G networks in the UK are Non-Standalone (NSA) based, which in simple terms means they partly rely on older 4G infrastructure. By comparison, 5GSA reflects a pure end-to-end 5G network that can also deliver improvements such as ultra-low latency times (fast), better mobile broadband upload speeds, network slicing capabilities, better support for Internet of Things (IoT) devices, increased reliability and security.

Last year Vodafone became the first UK operator to launch a 5GSA network with their new “5G Ultra” package for consumers (here), although its coverage was initially limited to parts of London, Manchester, Glasgow and Cardiff, with more being added. But in February 2024 they were joined by O2 (VMO2), which has initially gone live in parts of 14 cities and their service comes at “no extra” cost to customers (here).

However, Vodafone, as part of their proposed mega-merger with Three UK (here), have pledged to reach more than 99% of the UK’s “population” with their 5GSA network by 2034 and to push fixed wireless access (home broadband) to 82% of households by 2030.

Naturally, this will include Wales, although the press release doesn’t appear to clarify a specific target. Both 5G and 5G SA are currently already available in some areas across Wales, including Cardiff, as well as parts of both Newport and Swansea. The commitment follows research showing that 50% of premises in Wales’ rural constituencies are currently 5G not-spots.

Andrea Dona, Chief Network Officer at Vodafone UK, said:

“We know that access to connectivity is important for everyone, but this research reveals the extent to which rural Wales is experiencing digital exclusion, showing exactly why we need to accelerate the roll out of 5G infrastructure. Through our proposed merger with Three UK, we would be able to help close the rural digital divide in Wales, helping these communities to take advantage of 5G and enjoy the same benefits it brings to their urban neighbours.”

All of this is clearly designed to drum up more support for their merger, while also supporting the Government’s Wireless Infrastructure Strategy (WIS), which last year set out an ambition for “all populated areas to be covered by ‘standalone’ 5G (5G-plus) by 2030” (here). But it’s worth noting that Vodafone’s 5GSA targets aren’t legally binding.

The little known and rather generically named Altnet ISP UK Fibre Networks, which since 2019 has operated a Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband network in the centre of York (England), appears to be preparing to expand their fibre and fixed wireless network into new areas of the city, as well as Bath, Harrogate, Chester, and rural villages.

The plan was revealed as part of the company’s application for Code Powers from Ofcom. Such powers are typically sought to help speed-up deployments of new fibre and cut costs, not least by reducing the number of licenses needed for street works. The powers can also help with supporting access to run new fibre via Openreach’s (BT) existing cable ducts and poles (PIA), which is something UKFN have indicated they may harness.

The operator is predominantly self-funded, albeit with some investment also being obtained via Digital Enterprise Grants, and they hold an ambition to potentially harness some of the Government’s Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme (GBVS) grants in the future (most likely as part of their plans for some rural builds, further down the line). But it appears as if their network is predominantly overhead (poles), which tends to rub some people up the wrong way.

Extract from the Code Powers Application

The Applicant [UKFN] sells broadband and VOIP services; its packages offer broadband speeds starting at 150mbps up to 900Mbps for all customers. Furthermore, UK Fibre Networks offers its full-fibre services via overhead cables, rather than the typical underground cables, which results in less disruption to customers and less disruption for the public. The speeds offered are much faster than average speeds today and much better than the variable speeds experienced on copper lines that many other providers offer. In contrast to its fibre competitors, UK Fibre Networks aims to deliver its wireless services within – ten (10) days of an accepted order.

The Applicant does not currently own any ducting, nor does it currently undertake any civil works. Currently, it leases backhaul services from Tier 1 carriers under wholesale contracts. In the future, it may expand its network by using Openreach’s PIA to install its own ducting and poles, whether on private land or public highway btu currently overhead cables are the default installation position.

The Applicant has applied for Code Powers because experience shows that without Code Powers, they will have to pay extortionate associated costs to freeholders, should any further wayleave agreements need to be entered into. Moreover, there may be unreasonable terms proposed by any freeholders, such as unfair termination rights, if Code Powers were not granted.

After a bit of digging, we discovered a local news article on York Mix (not a source we’d pick up on) from earlier this year, which quotes UKFN’s Director, Pete Evans, as stating that the “plan” is to “roll out superfast broadband to all 8,000 premises within the city walls during 2024″. We assume he means gigabit broadband, since “superfast” (usually meaning 30Mbps+) hasn’t been a performance target on new network builds for a while.

The network expansion began in the Gillygate area of York during January 2024 (Phase 1) – including High Petergate, Bootham, Marygate, Lord Mayor’s Walk and Claremont Terrace – and should now be starting to expand into the Micklegate area (Phase 2), with Walmgate (Phase 3) getting underway in July and Goodramgate / Stonebow (Phase 4) following in September or late 2024.

News

AT&T Turbo will offer customers the opportunity to purchase enhanced mobile data.

Beginning May 2, AT&T will launch AT&T Turbo, a new service that will enhance wireless connectivity, for $7 per month.

In a press release, the operator stated that the service “allows users the choice to optimize their network when they want by adding additional network resources to their mobile data connection”.

The service is touted as ideal for mobile applications such as gaming, video broadcasting and video conferencing. When every millisecond counts, the new Turbo service can offer less freezing and lower latency.

The Turbo add-on will increase a customer’s level of “priority” on the network. Networks offer various “Quality of Service Class Identifiers” (QCIs)  which determine which users get priority access and faster speeds. A lower number is a better QCI.

With AT&T Turbo, the operator will exercise their ability to adjust a user’s QCI and bump Turbo customers’ service up a notch. Turbo customers will get QCI 7, while other plans sit at QCI 8. An AT&T official noted that “setting QCI levels is not like changing a radio channel. It includes advanced and complex technologies”.

AT&T customers can easily enable or remove the add-on. By using the company’s app or online, customers can add Turbo to eligible plans and remove it when they don’t want it. Once Turbo is enabled, the higher priority service will be available immediately. The service will not use standalone (SA) 5G technology, but will require users to have a 5G-capable phone.

The press release announcing the Turbo launch made explicit reference to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) newly re-instated net neutrality rules. The statement specifies that “consistent with open Internet principles, once turned on the boost applies to a customer’s data regardless of the Internet content, applications and services being used”.

AT&T has gone further to clarify that Turbo will not run afoul of net neutrality rules. A spokesperson stated that network slicing is not involved. Ahead of the FCC’s net neutrality vote, AT&T and other wireless providers had requested the agency to avoid rules that might prevent services like network slicing.

Network slicing allows operators to offer varied service tiers over dedicated portions of their networks. This requires SA 5G technology and is in the early stages of being rolled out by some operators. In the FCC’s final net neutrality rules, there was no specific mention of network slicing.

Despite the lack of clarity about the future of network slicing, AT&T has already hinted that it has big plans for enhancing customer experience. While this may not necessarily involve network slicing, the operator stated that it plans to “continue to advance and evolve AT&T Turbo”.

Cox Communications had launched a similar  “Elite Gamer” service in 2020. This add-on also cost $7 per month and offered customers the opportunity to improve the connection between their home internet service and video game servers by up to 32%. Cox discontinued the service in late 2023, citing lower than expected demand.

Given the potential for changes to internet regulation after the 2024 presidential election, and the failure of Cox’s service booster add-on, there is some uncertainty about AT&T Turbo’s future.

Keep up to date with all the latest telecoms news from around the world with Total Telecom’s daily newsletter.

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