The BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 have today announced what seems to be an “evolution” of the existing Freeview (inc. Freeview Play) IPTV platform. Called ‘Freely’, the new platform will be a free TV service that delivers live TV over your UK home broadband ISP connection (probably mobile too). The idea of delivering […]

Connected Britain 2023 is set to be our biggest event to date, featuring over 5,000 attendees, 350 speakers, and 1,500 organisations from every aspect of the UK telecoms sector and beyond. 

Connected Britain is the UK’s leading digital economy event, featuring 12 tracks full of specialised sessions spanning everything from fixed line and mobile broadband to local connectivity initiatives and regulatory discussions.  

Let’s take a closer look at some at what the tracks below. Don’t forget, last minute tickets are still available – register here today! 

 

Connected Keynotes:
The Connected Britain keynotes will address key questions such as: What does the future of the UK’s connectivity landscape look like? Where do the commercial opportunities of enhanced and ubiquitous connectivity lie? What is the industry doing to ensure that inclusive and meaningful growth is delivered in every corner of the UK? Explore the Keynote panel speakers here. 

 

Digital Britain:
Here we explore how the future of work is changing in an increasingly digital world. New skills are needed, new mindsets, and new partnerships. What is being done in the UK to fill the ‘skills gap’? What is needed both from government and the private sector to ensure that the UK remains a technology and business leader on the international stage? 

 

Connected Communities:
A truly ‘Connected Britain’ is one where every individual and every business has access to the best connectivity. Connected Communities will explore strategies for connecting rural and hard-to-reach communities while also focussing on connectivity for social housing, care homes, schools, and other critical services. 

 

Connected Infrastructure:
Digital connectivity is the cornerstone of the UK’s ambitions when it comes to intelligent transport systems, smart utility networks, EV charging, and more. The potential is huge, so how can the UK capitalise on these exciting opportunities? 

 

Gigabit Britain:
Here we will take a strategic look at the investment and regulatory context for the deployment of next-generation communications infrastructure in the UK. Gigabit Britain will also explore the commercial strategy and business models for the rollout of both fibre and 5G networks. 

 

Project Rollout:
This track will focus on the realities of building fibre and 5G networks. Key themes will include the technologies enabling network rollout, engineering strategies, supply chain issues, and the role of public–private partnerships. 

 

Connected Society:
Keeping people connected has never been more important. Tackling the digital divide, promoting digital inclusion, developing the provision of digital public services, and providing support for those who need it most is crucial to delivering a more connected and inclusive Britain. 

 

Smart Britain:
Smart Britain will focus on the delivery of smart places and how this will impact the regeneration and economic development of the UK’s cities, towns, and rural communities. It will also explore how digital infrastructure is driving a greener, more sustainable future. 

 

Connected Industries:
From manufacturing to logistics, from healthcare to the creative industries, next-generation communications infrastructure is creating new opportunities and enabling exciting new use cases. Connected Industries will bring together CSPs, technology providers, enterprises, and the public sector to explore how cross-sector partnerships and connectivity are driving innovation. 

 

Connected Enterprise:
From SMEs through to large-scale enterprises, the demands of private and public sector enterprise customers are constantly evolving. Connected Enterprise will explore the evolution of the UK’s enterprise communications market, the technologies that are re-shaping B2B communications as well new products and services. 

 

Local Authority Showcase:
Local authorities are the driving force behind the innovative technology projects and trials which are underway across the UK to solve key challenges, covering everything from mobility to housing, from healthcare to town planning. The Showcase Stage is a platform for digital champions from across the UK’s public sector to share their successes as well as their challenges and to learn from their peers. 

 

Startup Britain:
The Startup Britain stage will offer a celebration of innovation. Startups will have the chance to pitch their idea to potential investors, partners, and customers. Investors, accelerators, scale-ups and SMEs will share their insights into the keys for business growth and success. 

 

Connected Britain 2023 promises to be bigger and better than ever before. 

Taking place on the 20–21 of September, it’s not too late to grab your tickets.  

Visit the Connected Britain website to reserve your place now  

Also in the news:
UK government announces £88 million investment in connectivity R&D
Connected Britain 2023: the keynote panel agenda
Intelsat reaches teleport network deal with Italy’s Telespazio

One of Openreach’s patch lead broadband engineers in Scotland, known publicly only as Andrew, deserves a spot of special credit in the news today after he recently downed tools to attend a passer-by who had suddenly suffered a heart attack. The man survived and is currently receiving further treatment in hospital. The network operator informs […]

Mobile network operator EE (BT) has published a progress update on their national plan and timeline for switching off the old 3G data (mobile broadband) service, which was successfully trialled in the Cheshire (England) town of Warrington (here) during the summer. The UK government and all mobile providers have already agreed to phase-out existing 2G […]

Network builder and broadband ISP Quickline, which is deploying gigabit speed full fibre (FTTP) infrastructure to 96 rural locations (55,000 premises) across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire in England (deployment plan), has launched a new “free until you’re free” offer that gives people the chance to join them for free until their existing contract runs out. The […]

Mobile operator Three UK has today launched a new range of ‘Three Your Way‘ airtime plans (i.e. those that bundle a mobile phone with a mobile service plan), which give customers more flexibility to customise their benefits, airtime contract length, and control how much they pay for their device over time. All of Three’s plans […]

Rural broadband ISP Wildanet, which is busy deploying a new gigabit-capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network across parts of South West England, has just opened a new “centre of excellence” in Cornwall to help train up the next generation of telecommunication engineers. The Wildanet Technical Training Academy is naturally intended to support the operator’s own full fibre […]

News 

According to reports, the firm will use the investment to hire new staff across various areas of the business, along with financing areas considered to be strategically important 

US-based fixed wireless access (FWA) platform developer Tarana Wireless has announced that it has raised $50 million in a roundup led by asset management firm Digital Alpha. 

The funding is part of the firm’s plan to as well increase its research and development in wireless broadband technology, as well as is rapidly deploying its G1 platform, its next generation fixed wireless access (ngFWA) platform. 

The India based company is seeking to expand the reach of its ngFWA technology in global markets. Speaking to Light Reading, CEO Basil Alwan said, “We are full-on in growth mode at this moment.”  

After launching in late 2021, G1’s first year of sales reached $100 million, which the company expect to exceed in 2023. It is deployed by more than 270 service providers in 19 countries, and in 41 US states. 

“Digital Alpha knows our customers’ business intimately, which has provided early insights into ngFWA and the momentum building in our business. This investment along with those in our customers makes them a natural and great partner” said Tarana CEO Basil Alwan. 

“Our rapid growth has created more opportunities along with higher working capital requirements; this financing will play an essential role in maintaining our trajectory, supporting our customers’ continued growth, and expanding our reach globally.” 

Stay up to date with broadband in the US by attending next year’s Connected America in Dallas, Texas, March 12-13. 

Also in the news:
UK government announces £88 million investment in connectivity R&D
Intelsat reaches teleport network deal with Italy’s Telespazio
T-Mobile signs spectrum deal with Comcast worth up to $3.3 billion 

Most of the daily talk on these pages is currently about UK broadband ISP packages that reach top speeds of around 1Gbps (Gigabit per second). But spare a thought for customers of Ooredoo in Qatar, who are about to achieve somewhat of a world’s first by deploying a 50Gbps capable full fibre (FTTP) plan for […]

Network access provider Openreach (BT) are gearing up to launch a new high-speed Ethernet Access Direct (EAD) v2.0 product for businesses and UK ISPs in the future – estimated for early FY25/26 (i.e. the current details are highly tentative), which will introduce various improvements and new data speed profiles. The EAD product is perhaps one […]