Gigabit broadband ISP BeFibre has issued a progress update on their work to support the rollout of a new Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network, which is being built across towns in several counties (e.g. Essex, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Gloucestershire, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire etc.) by network access partner Digital Infrastructure. Just to recap. BeFibre and DI began their deployment […]
CMA begins probe into ViaSat acquisition of Inmarsat
Back in November 2021, US satellite operator ViaSat struck a deal to acquire the UK’s Inmarsat for $7.3 billion.
The companies said that the tie-up would “create a leading global communications innovator with enhanced scale and scope to affordably, securely and reliably connect the world”, suggesting their complementary assets that would be used to create a “high-capacity hybrid space and terrestrial network&rdquo…
CityFibre Start £30m Gigabit Broadband Rollout in Rochdale
CityFibre UK has today announced that they’ve started the construction phase of their £30m project to deploy a new gigabit-capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband ISP network in the Greater Manchester town of Rochdale (England), which is being supported by civil engineering firm Network PLUS. The overall project, which is expected to reach “almost every home and […]
KT and Türk Telekom sign 5G and content partnership
This week, Korea Telecom (KT) has announced it has signed a new strategic agreement with Turkish state-run operator Turk Telekom, seeking to mutually develop their 5G capabilities and explore the technology’s commercialisation.
As part of the deal, the partners will co-develop a private 5G platform for to Türk Telekom’s customers…
MPs Back Bill Designed to Tackle Controversial UK Telecoms Poles
A small cross-party group of MPs have given their backing to a new Private Members Bill (PMB), which would make it mandatory for UK operators building full fibre (FTTP) broadband ISP networks to initiate a local consultation when deploying new telecommunications infrastructure in residential areas (e.g. telecoms poles). The Telecommunications Infrastructure (Consultation) Bill, which was […]
BT & Nokia claim 5G carrier aggregation breakthrough
The breakthrough heralds the next phase of 5G on its EE mobile network, which will deliver superior experiences for customers and enable new capabilities for enterprises. “As we migrate to a 5G standalone core network, this technology milestone is vital to giving our customers the best experience” commented Greg McCall, Managing Director of Service Platforms at BT…
Accounting firm PwC fined £1.75m over mishandling of BT audit
Back in 2017, BT was embroiled in an accounting scandal relating to its Italian unit, with the company forced to write down £530 million following a sophisticated case of accounting fraud.
The acknowledgement of the scandal saw BT’s stock market value nosedive by around £8 billion and triggered an enormous restructure that cut 4…
“Perform or perish,” minister tells BSNL staff
At the end of last month, the Indian government cleared a $20.5 billion relief package for beleaguered Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), hoping to revitalise the company as it rapidly loses market share to Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.
The government said it expects the funds to be used to destress the company’s balance sheet as well as to expand its fibre network and improve existing services to keep pace with its private sector rivals.
The level of competition that BSNL is facing from Jio and Airtel cannot be underestimated…
Ofcom Must Improve Protection Measures for EU Mobile Roaming
A new MSE report has called on Ofcom to improve consumer protection measures for mobile roaming when within the EU, which follows after the organisation’s research highlighted that consumers are still at risk of being caught out by unexpected roaming costs. But operators aren’t helping by adopting different definitions of a “day“. Previously, consumers in […]
DITO accuses Globe and Smart of “abusing their dominant position”
This week, DITO has announced it has filed two complaints against Globe Telecom and PLDT (Smart) with the Philippine Competition Commission, claiming that the two larger telcos are exploiting their dominant market position to prevent DITO from competing fairly.
The operator alleges that Globe and Smart have failed to follow the standards of the National Telecommunications Commission…