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Business ISP and IT provider Gamma Communications has confirmed that Waterland Private Equity Investments is “amongst the parties in discussions” with the telecoms provider regarding a possible £1bn takeover offer for the business. The Giacom Group, which is run by industry entrepreneur Matthew Riley and backed by Inflexion, would then acquire “certain business divisions” of Gamma. (more…)
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Not‑for‑profit Network operator TfW Ffeibr (TFW Fibre), which is an arm’s-length initiative owned by Transport for Wales (TfW) and thus the Welsh Government, has announced that their railway based full fibre broadband and Ethernet network has been used to link South Wales directly into one of “Europe’s largest data centre campuses” – connecting Cloud Centres and Vantage Data Centres. (more…)
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Ryde-based UK broadband ISP Go Internet has, in an unexpected development, revealed that they’ve just completed the deployment of their own gigabit-capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network to reach the rural community of Chale, which is a scenic village on the south-west coast of the Isle of Wight (England). (more…)
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Durham-based hospitality provider Ramside Estates, which operates a number of hotels and bars across North East England, has acquired the little-known but Newcastle-based broadband and phone provider Select Telecom for an undisclosed sum. (more…)
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Liverpool-based UK ISP Giant has informed ISPreview that they’ve finally managed to deploy native Internet Protocol v6 (IPv6) addressing across their broadband network, which is sure to be welcomed by their residential customers that currently use IPv4 addresses via Carrier-Grade NAT (CGNAT or IP address sharing). (more…)
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The Welsh Government (WG) has revealed that an “unforeseen administrative error” meant they neglected to name one of the approved suppliers for their £70m (public subsidy) Extending High Speed Broadband (EHSB) project when the original list was announced earlier this year (here). The supplier, BB4W Ltd (Broadband 4 Wales), has now been added to the framework. (more…)
Original article Total Telecom:Read More
This week, EE has announced the launch of the UK’s first commercial network slicing service for consumers and businesses.
The new service, dubbed Fast Lane, shifts customers to a dedicated virtual slice of EE’s physical 5G+ network. This slice is isolated from other traffic on the network, guaranteeing users a high level of performance even when the wider network is heavily congested.
The feature is ‘designed for use in high-footfall moments of the day like rush hour and major events’, according to the company press release, will be useful for both consumers and enterprise customers operating in busy environments.
The launch follows multiple real-world trials of 5G+ network slicing in the last two years, which has included major public events like , Belfast Christmas Market, Sail GP in Portsmouth, ad this year’s BAFTAs.
“Powered by our advanced 5G+ network, Fast Lane gives our customers access to a dedicated 5G+ lane at the busiest times. Whether they’re live streaming a special moment from a sell-out gig or processing mobile payments and ticketing at a festival, Fast Lane helps keep customers connected even when thousands of people around them are trying to connect at the same time,” said Claire Gillies, CEO of BT’s Consumer Division. “This innovation builds on years of investment in EE’s 5G+ network and real-world network slicing trials, marking another milestone for the UK’s best network.”
EE is offering the Fast Lane feature as a part of its new ‘Full Works Plus’ package, costing £5 more per month than its existing ‘Full Works’ plan (£48 and £43, respectively).
Users will require a 5G+ compatible handset and access to EE’s 5G+ network to make use of the service.
EE’s 5G+ network currently covers around 78% of the UK population, with the operator targeting 99% population coverage by March 2030.
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Around 100 entrepreneurs and organisations across the Highlands and Islands are expected to benefit from a new digital and technology support programme launched today (Thursday 20 August).
The one-year Digital and Technology Entrepreneurship (DaTE) programme will support start-ups and small organisations to develop new digital and technology products, processes and services. Participants will receive expert advice, mentoring and funding through the programme, which is led by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and delivered in collaboration with BT, helping to drive innovation, business growth and job creation across the region.
Tailored support will help turn innovative ideas into commercial opportunities, strengthen entrepreneurial skills and accelerate the growth of digital and technology-led organisations across the region.
While Highlands and Islands businesses and social enterprises are recognised for innovation, many in rural and island locations can face challenges accessing specialist expertise, investment and technical support.
The new HIE programme has been designed to help overcome these barriers through a mix of events, mentoring, networking opportunities and grant funding.
The support includes entrepreneurial mentoring and advice, grant funding for digital and technology projects and Kickstart grants.
The programme will build skills, confidence and innovation capacity, strengthen the pipeline of emerging digital and technology businesses in the region, and create new opportunities for growth and jobs.
The initiative forms part of BT’s purpose to Connect for Good and its commitment to helping communities develop the skills and confidence they need to thrive in a digital world. It sits alongside the rollout of new gigabit-capable broadband delivered by Openreach as part of Project Gigabit, the government’s programme to bring fast, reliable broadband to hard-to-reach areas.
HIE’s team leader for digital economy Theresa Swayne said:
“Digital and technology business founders, and creators of new tech ideas and products, have a vital role to play in the future prosperity of the Highlands and Islands economy. We want to ensure that great ideas can flourish wherever they emerge, from our towns to our most rural and island locations.
“This programme will give entrepreneurs access to the skills, expertise and funding they need to innovate, grow and bring new products and services to market. We’re delighted to be working with BT to help unlock the region’s entrepreneurial potential.”
Richard Marsh, BT Responsible Business Director added:
“Digital technology is creating new opportunities for people and businesses across the UK, but talent and ambition exist in every community, not just our largest cities. As we continue to invest in the connectivity that underpins modern life, we’re also committed to helping people and businesses make the most of the opportunities that technology creates.
“This programme will help entrepreneurs across the Highlands and Islands access the skills, networks and support they need to grow. Through BT’s ambition to support 30 million people, businesses and families with digital skills, tools and support by 2030, we’re helping ensure that the benefits of technology and economic growth can be felt in every postcode of the UK.”
Economy Secretary Stephen Flynn said:
“Geography should never be a barrier to turning ideas and invention into economic success. Scotland’s future prosperity depends on us unlocking innovation in every part of the country and The Highlands and Islands has entrepreneurial talent and ambition in abundance.
“By supporting entrepreneurs to develop new products, attract investment and build businesses rooted in their communities, this programme is an important step in unlocking even more of the region’s economic potential.”
To support the rollout of the programme, HIE is collaborating with Techscaler, a Scottish Government initiative delivered by CodeBase, to deliver a series of regional events across the Highlands and Islands.
The joint roadshow series will raise awareness of the funding and specialist advice available through the HIE Digital and Technology Entrepreneurship programme, while connecting local entrepreneurs with Techscaler’s national network of founder education, mentorship, investor connectivity and peer support.
For more information on the DaTE programme, eligibility and to apply please visit:
For more information about digital support for your business please visit Digital support | HIE.
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The post BT backing startups in Scottish Highlands and Islands appeared first on Total Telecom.
Original article ISPreview UK:Read More
French benchmarking firm nPerf has today published the results from another quirky study of mobile broadband networks, which compared mobile video streaming performance among countries with comparable Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita. Overall the UK came in 3rd place, behind Germany and France. (more…)
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Mobile operator O2 (Virgin Media) has today confirmed that they’ve switched-on their next-generation 5G+ (5G Standalone) mobile broadband network across more of Kent in England, which is said to reach “up to” 1.6 million residents across 125 towns, 303 villages and 246 hamlets – delivering “faster speeds, better coverage and lower latency at no extra cost“. (more…)