The UK government’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the UK Space Agency (UKSA) have today revealed that they’re “exploring” a new plan, which could open a £160 million fund to help develop and build the next generation of LEO satellite based broadband and 5G mobile communications. The Connectivity in Low Earth Orbit […]

News 

The duo will ensure that Manchester-based communities are equipped with the tools they need for an increasingly digital society 

The collaboration between Cellnex – Europe’s largest independent telecoms infrastructure provider – and local charity Forever Manchester will see the launch of two funds to tackle digital exclusion across the city.  

The Cellnex Digital Inclusion Funds will support the growth and development of digital inclusion projects and activities across Manchester and will concentrate on the three main themes of the Greater Manchester Digital Inclusion Strategy: empowering communities and places; increasing confidence, skills and motivation; and affordability, accessibility, and connectivity. 

Examples of projects that could be funded include improving online access for jobseekers, providing refurbished computers to the community, or running training sessions to improve digital skills.  

“Digital inclusion is essential for creating a more equitable society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive in the increasingly connected world,” said Clare Cranton, Head of Environmental, Social and Governance at Cellnex UK. 

“Local groups understand how they can work best to promote digital inclusion in their communities. We hope the Digital Inclusion Fund will give communities the chance to fund projects that allow them to develop their skills and improve the opportunities available to them going forward,” she continued. 

The first fund is open to groups of local residents or a small community organisations with a combined income of less than £2,000 and will award grants of up to £500. The second, larger fund is open to community organisations with a combined annual income of less than £150,000 and will award up to £5,000.   

The deadline to apply for these grants is 18th August 2023, with responses to applications expected by late October.  

It is worth noting that the Forever Manchester partnership is not Cellnex’s first charitable endeavor.  Since 2021, the tower operator has been partnered with UK Community Foundations, providing support to numerous initiatives, including awarding £18,000 to digitally isolated residents of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, £9,000 to support rural village halls in Humberside to become more digitally inclusive, and providing elderly people in Wales with digital skills. 

Want to learn more about the digital transformation of Greater Manchester and the North of the UK? Join the telecoms industry in discussion at next year’s Connected North conference 

Also in the news:
Cisco launches cybersecurity skills programmes in Greater Manchester
GoFibre kicks off fibre build in rural Northumberland
Connected North 2023: The story in pictures

News

EE says the deployment of 13 4G masts in the remote regions will help boost the local economies, as well as providing vital connectivity for emergency services

This week, EE has announced that it has activated 13 new 4G mobile towers in some of the most remote parts of Scotland, aiming to tackle ‘blackspots’ with extremely limited mobile coverage.

The new masts have been deployed in the Scottish Highlands and Islands, providing coverage to local residents and businesses, as well as, crucially, local emergency services.

The 13 ‘blackspots’ connected by the new towers are: Inverie (Knoydart), Kenmore, Achosnich, Brecklate, Elgol, Inverchoran, Rackwick, Ardlussa, Craighouse, Lochbuie, Stronsay, Stronachlachar, and Cawdor.

“Together with the Scottish Government and our industry partners, we are delivering the connectivity boost rural communities so desperately need in the digital age,” said Greg McCall, Chief Networks Officer at BT Group. “These new sites represent an important step forward in our mission to provide local people, businesses, and emergency services with fast and reliable 4G mobile connectivity across the Scottish Highlands and Islands.”

These new towers have been deployed as part of the Scottish 4G infill programme (S4GI), a £28.75 million government initiative aiming to cover 55 of the country’s rural ‘notspots’ with 4G connectivity.

Prior to today’s announcement, 32 of these sites had already been built, 29 by EE and three by Vodafone and O2.

Now, with the additional 13 sites deployed by EE, this leaves just ten sites left to build under the S4GI, nine of which set to be deployed by EE.  Three UK plans to deploy the final site, which will cover the small village of Crinan.

According to the government website, all of these final ten sites are in various phases of construction. However, many appear to be running behind schedule, with the website suggesting that most of them should have been activated in Spring this year.

EE says they will activate six additional sites across the Highlands and Islands later this year.

The impact of the 4G coverage for these regions cannot be underestimated, particularly when it comes to supporting local emergency services and Mountain Rescue.

On the island of Jura, for example, two new sites now provide more effective communication between Jura Medical Practice and its helicopter landing pad, as well as ensuring on-call doctors can be reached at all times.

“The new connectivity has delivered a hugely important boost to our day-to-day operations. Our helicopter landing site is used in the most critical situations, and so the importance of fast and reliable communication cannot be underestimated,” said Dr Martin Beastall at Jura Medical Practice. “Having access to EE’s 4G network means we can operate more effectively and ensures that we have a reliable connection to communicate when we need it most. The local area is popular with walkers and hikers, so to have access to 4G in an emergency is reassuring for both our staff and the public.”

Is the telecoms industry doing enough to ensure that rural locations in Scotland have access to high quality connectivity? Join the digital ecosystem in discussion at Connected North

Also in the news:
Telefónica and Sateliot make history with 5G roaming space connection
Vodafone to begin deploying AWS edge technology in Spain
UK government unveils £40m funding for 5G innovation

Startup Stories

Tell us about your startup
At Compleye, we revolutionize compliance for SaaS companies with our collaboration platform. Our mission is to provide a simpler, more affordable, and efficient way for tech companies to achieve compliance. Our comprehensive library of resources, step-by-step guides, and team of compliance experts make it easy for tech companies to meet industry-leading frameworks like ISO 27001, SOC 2, ISO 9001, and ISO 27701.
Our platform is designed to be user-friendly and cost-effective, allowing companies to focus on their core business while we take care of the compliance headaches. We help them understand compliance obligations, develop a compliance plan, and implement the necessary controls.

In addition to our platform, we offer a suite of compliance services, including internal audits, intensive solutions, and compliance consultancy sessions. These services further enhance our clients’ compliance journey.
Compleye was founded in 2018 by Karolin Kruiskamp, a seasoned professional with 25 years of experience in organizational design and 15 years in the tech industry. Since then, we have gained traction in the highly-regulated Pharma industry and expanded our approach to sectors such as Health Tech, FinTech, e-Commerce, and Smart-City industries. Our clientele consists primarily of B2B SMEs offering technical products or services.
Fast forward to 2023, Compleye continues to grow and scale alongside its clients, team, products, and services. Our dedication to simplicity, affordability, and efficiency has carved out a unique niche for us in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

What is your USP?
Our USP lies in our lean approach to compliance, which makes our platform the most cost-effective solution in the market. We have designed our platform to simplify compliance, ensuring that users don’t need prior compliance experience to get started. With Compleye, tech companies can achieve compliance effortlessly, saving both time and money. By offering a user-friendly experience and being affordable, we set ourselves apart from traditional compliance solutions.

What is your relationship with the telecom sector?
The telecom sector is a key partner for Compleye. We collaborate with telecom companies to help them understand the compliance requirements of their customers and provide them with the necessary tools and resources to meet those requirements. Additionally, we work closely with telecom companies to develop new compliance solutions that align with the evolving tech landscape. Our partnership enables telecom companies to strengthen their compliance posture and deliver trusted services to their customers.

How have you got to your current stage of development?
Compleye was bootstrapped by Karolin Kruiskamp in 2018. She worked tirelessly to build the platform and raise awareness about Compleye. In 2020, Compleye secured its first round of funding, allowing us to expand our team and reach more clients.

Our success can be attributed to several factors. First, we have a passionate team of experienced professionals who are dedicated to helping tech companies achieve compliance. Second, we continuously iterate on our product, making it more user-friendly and effective based on client feedback. Lastly, our close relationship with our clients enables us to incorporate their input into our product development process.
Today, Compleye is the leading compliance collaboration platform for tech companies in Europe, with a track record of delivering exceptional results.

Why did you establish the business?
We established Compleye because we recognized the need for a simpler, more affordable, and efficient way for tech companies to achieve compliance. The traditional compliance approach is complex, expensive, and time-consuming, often taking months or even years to complete. We saw the struggles faced by founders in understanding the regulatory landscape and the financial implications of compliance.

Who inspired you?
We were inspired by the challenges that founders of tech companies face when trying to achieve compliance. We saw that many founders were struggling to understand the complex regulatory landscape, and that they were often faced with high costs and long timelines. We were also inspired by the victims of data breaches and privacy violations.

Furthermore, we were inspired by the victims of data breaches and privacy violations. Our goal is to create a safer world for everyone by helping tech companies protect their data and their customers’ data. We believe that Compleye is a step in the right direction, empowering businesses to navigate compliance challenges effectively while prioritizing privacy and security.

What does the future hold for your business?
The future is bright for Compleye. The SaaS industry has increased in size by around 500% over the past seven years, and this growth is showing no signs of slowing down. As the industry expands, the demand for compliance solutions will also rise. Compleye is well-positioned to capitalize on this growth by offering a platform that addresses the increasing awareness of data protection, data breaches, ransomware attacks, and the demand for ethical business practices.

We are a small but highly motivated team, and we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead! Our focus is on further enhancing our platform, expanding our market reach, and fostering strategic partnerships to meet the evolving needs of the tech industry.

Compleye will be showcasing their solutions at the Total Telecom Congress in Amsterdam, 21-22 November 2023. Find out how to meet them there or get involved. totaltele.com/congress

Analyst firm M-Lab and comparison site Cable.co.uk have published their annual 2023 global broadband ISP speeds report, which reveals that the United Kingdom delivered an average (mean) download speed of 93.62Mbps (up from 72.06Mbps last year), ranking us 34th fastest in the world (up from 35th in 2022 and 43rd in 2021). The research itself […]

News

The company will reportedly begin deploying Amazon Web Services (AWS)’s multi-access edge computing (MEC) technology Wavelength in Spain’s southernmost region, Andalusia

This week, Vodafone Business is expanding its existing partnership with AWS, announcing plans to deploy the latter’s Wavelength MEC solution in its 4G and 5G networks in yet another European market.

The new Spanish pilot deployment will reportedly cover a number of major cities in the south of Spain, including Malaga, Granada, Córdoba, Jaén, and Almería, as well as some parts of Seville.

The deployment builds on Vodafone’s previous deployments of AWS Wavelength in the UK and Germany back in 2021. Today, London, Manchester, Berlin, Munich, and Dortmund all feature AWS Wavelength Zones.

Vodafone argus that the edge is increasingly becoming a key part of their network architecture, enabling major use cases in use cases where ultra-low latency is crucial, such as remote surgery, industrial robotics, and autonomous driving.

Indeed, one of the first applications to be tested using Vodafone’s Wavelength-supported MEC capabilities will be their Safer Transport for Europe Platform, which delivers real-time environmental data to drivers on the road, including hazard warnings and traffic updates.

“5G and edge computing will help our customers transform their industries. Working with AWS, Vodafone Business can deliver applications and IT tool to customers in milliseconds, faster than the human eye or ear can even perceive,” said Jennifer Didoni, Head of Cloud, Edge & Mobile Private Networks at Vodafone Business. “By bringing these services closer to the customer across Germany, Spain, and the UK, they can access Apps on tap in more places, in high definition, at machine speed, with performance that wasn’t possible before.”

An additional focus for these deployments will be enabling extended reality applications, particularly the creation of viable 3D digital twins of critical applications in an industrial setting.

According to Vodafone, more than 30 companies have already completed related pilot with Vodafone’s Edge Innovation programme in both the UK and Germany.

How is the rise of edge computing changing the telecoms landscape in 2023? Join the operators in discussion at this year’s Total Telecom Congress live in Amsterdam 

Also in the news: 
Vodafone UK launches second social tariff offering higher speeds
Enhancing and expanding connectivity with EXA Infrastructure
Why the industry must accelerate the adoption of 5.5G

News 

The milestone paves the way for extensive access to connectivity everywhere on the planet 

Spanish firms Sateliot and Telefónica say they have extended the reach of the 5G network into space for the ‘first time’ in telecommunications history.  

The two firms carried out a test overseen by the European Space Agency (ESA), during which they extended the coverage of Telefónica’s terrestrial 5G network through standard GSMA roaming using Sateliot’s satellite network.  

The trial used a regular SIM card on an Internet of Things (IoT) device, which was able to “seamlessly” switch to Sateliot’s network of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation. 

The test demonstrated successfully that a standard roaming connection can be authenticated by Telefónica’s core network even when delivered through a non-terrestrial network such as Sateliot’s. This was achieved using a two-step authentication process named ‘Store & Forward’, which stores data when the satellite is not in position to connect with a ground station, and forwards it on as soon it enters the coverage range, according to Sateliot. 

“Sateliot has achieved an important milestone by successfully demonstrating the integration of Low-Earth orbit and NTN (Non-Terrestrial Network) with roaming capabilities in Store&Forward mode, along with two-step authentication into a 5G cellular network,” said Antonio Franchi, Head of Space for 5G and 6G Strategic Programme at the ESA. 

According to Telefónica, this solution will be launched commercially next year, providing ‘everywhere-in-the-planet connectivity’ for offering IoT devices.  Telefónica aims to be the first mobile network operator to offer narrowband internet of things (NB-IoT) connectivity everywhere in the world. 

“This is the culmination of years of studies and developments of our Store & Forward two-step authentication procedure that gives Sateliot a unique position to establish roaming extension for NB-IoT NTN delay tolerant applications. We are in front of a game changer in future 3GPP networks that will reduce costs based on low density constellations and reduced ground segment infrastructure, minimizing the impact in space and reducing time to market,” said Sateliot’s chief technology officer Marco Guadalupi. 

Want to keep up with all of the latest telecoms news from around the world? Sign up to receive Total Telecom’s daily newsletter 

Also in the news:
OneWeb and BT demo satellite connectivity on Lundy Island
UK government unveils £40m funding for 5G innovation
Intel and Ericsson partner on 5G custom chip 

News

From today, local and regional authorities can apply for a share of the funding 

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has today announced £40 million in funding to turn local and regional authorities into ‘5G Innovation Regions’. 

Funding will be awarded to winning regions that can successfully demonstrate how they will drive the adoption and development of 5G and other wireless technologies across varying sectors, including public services, agriculture, transport and advanced manufacturing.  

For example, one region’s application involves using 5G-enabled drones to scan fields, allowing farmers to make data driven agricultural decisions for increased efficiency. 

Successful applicants will be designated ‘5G innovation regions’, with DSIT hoping the leveraging of 5G and other wireless technologies will promote economic growth at local levels, opening up new commercial opportunities for the regions. 

“Greater adoption of 5G-powered technologies will help deliver more efficient public services, new opportunities for residents and businesses, and a boost for economic growth – and this new fund will give local areas from across the country the opportunity to be at the forefront of Britain’s world-leading 5G revolution,” said Sir John Whittingale, Minister for Data and Digital Infrastructure. 

The UK Telecoms Innovation Network (UKTIN) will be collaborating with winning applicants to increase the speed with which 5G is adopted in key sectors, as well as launching a campaign to bring together telecoms providers with businesses who want to adopt 5G services. The campaign will aim to help educate firms on how they will benefit from 5G enabled services and how they can access it.  

“What this means for 5G Innovation Regions is that we’ll be collaborating with the successful local and regional authorities to understand and disseminate their learnings to all regions and devolved nations, ensuring the whole of the UK has access to actionable insights. We’ll also be developing practical and pragmatic toolkits to support different locations and vertical sectors as they navigate the complexity of what, when and how to deploy solutions,” said Nick Johnson, head of UKITN. 

“It is only by creating demand and helping organisations navigate the technology adoption hurdles in this way that we can realise the true potential of new innovations.” 

The 5G Innovation Regions programme will run until March 2025, with winning bidders expected to be announced later this year. 

Join the conversation around the acceleration of the UK’s 5G infrastructure at this year’s Connected Britain conference 

Also in the news:
BT launches pilots to convert street cabinets to EV charging points
Enhancing and expanding connectivity with EXA Infrastructure
Vodafone enters final phase of Redstream Evolution project

Space broadband provider OneWeb, which is part-owned by the UK government, has revealed that their recently launched GEN2 prototype satellite – “Joey-Sat” – has passed its initial in-orbit tests and is now moving to start demonstrating what its new technologies will be able to do for faster broadband and 5G connectivity. Just to recap. OneWeb […]

News 

Procurement for Type C contracts launched on 27th July, with two contracts currently on offer 

Building Digital UK (BDUK) – the government’s executive agency set up to deliver the £5 billion Project Gigabit has begun the procurement phase for the award for the first Cross-Regional Supplier Framework contracts.  

Project Gigabit aims to deliver download speeds of 1Gbps to at least 85% of the UK by 2025, and 99% by 2030.  

Currently, around 76% of UK premises can access gigabit-capable broadband, though this total falls to 53% when considering purely fibre-to-the-premises. 

According to Ofcom forecasts, gigabit coverage is currently on track to reach 92% by March 2025. 

So far, however, the vast majority of this gigabit-broadband availability has been funded by the private sector, with the first Project Gigabit contracts only being awarded last year. 

To date, most of the Project’s funding has been allocated to the Gigabit Infrastructure Subsidy programme. Here, network operators bid to extend their gigabit broadband networks to harder-to-reach areas across the UK through a Dynamic Purchasing System. Roughly £1.4 billion has been allocated in the form of local (Type A) contracts and regional (Type B) contracts. 

Now, BDUK is set to begin the procurement phase for the award of two cross-regional (Type C) contracts for the first time. This process aims to find a single ISP partner to provide access to economically unviable areas not already covered commercially or by Type A or Type C subsidies.  

The two contracts in this case are covering 57,500 premises across parts of Lancashire, North Wiltshire and South Gloucestershire, West and Mid-Surrey, Staffordshire, West Berkshire, and Hertfordshire, and 47,700 premises across parts of West and North Devon, North West and Mid Wales, and South East Wales. 

These contracts are set to receive subsidies of £149.7 million and £139.7 million, respectively. 

The procurements are open for interest until 27th August this year, and all being well, the first Cross-Regional Supplier Framework contracts should be awarded around June 2024. 

In related news, it is worth noting here that the slow progress of Project Gigabit has not gone unnoticed by the government. Just last week, it was announced that Dan Creamer has been appointed as the new CEO of BDUK, replacing Paul Norris who had faced criticism over the Project’s lack of results.  

Want to hear more from the operators and their role in building Gigabit Britain? Join the operator in discussion at the upcoming Connected Britain conference 

Also in the news:
CityFibre wins trio of Project Gigabit contracts worth £318m
GoFibre embraces the ethos of Project Gigabit
Openreach: The full fibre take-up challenge and building networks of the future