News

The industry-led One Touch Switching Company (TOTSCo) has issued a progress update on its work to support Ofcom’s new One Touch Switching (OTS) system, which started to go live last month and aims to make it easier for consumers to change broadband ISP. A total of 100,000 switch orders have been placed since launch, albeit with only 32,000 successful completions. Progress is clearly being made, with 265 brands (i.e. internet providers and related companies) now live on the messaging platform...

Some of ISPreview’s readers have spotted that internet provider Home Telecom, which is part of the wider Telecom Acquisitions (TAL) group that also has an established strategic partnership with TalkTalk, appears to be selling broadband plans that are “Powered by Virgin Media” (VMO2). But seemingly only in FTTP areas that have been built for nexfibre. Just to recap. Telefónica, Liberty Global and InfraVia Capital Partners originally setup the new £4.5bn nexfibre joint venture in 2022 (here),...

Customers of UK ISP Sky Broadband’s phone (Sky Talk) and Sky Mobile service, including those with a phone service via NOW Broadband (NOW TV), have – due to the current conflict – been given the ability to make free calls and texts between the UK (inc. Ireland) and Lebanon until the end of 2024. “From 4 October 2024 – 31 December 2024, we’ll be crediting Sky Mobile and Sky Talk customers who call and text people in Lebanon from the UK and Ireland. You won’t be charged for any calls and texts...

The Oldham Council in Greater Manchester has ordered broadband operator IX Wireless (supported by UK ISP 6Gi / Opus Broadband) to “temporarily … stop work across the borough” due to “safety concerns“. The operator had been deploying large metal masts for their fibre-fed fixed wireless broadband network, which has recently attracted protests. The company, which holds an aspiration to cover 250,000 UK premises with their new network (here), is currently building their hybrid fibre and wireless...

The Shadow Technology Secretary, Andrew Griffith MP, has warned the new UK Government against a “shocking waste of taxpayers’ money” by potentially shifting public funding, which is currently earmarked for the rural-focused Project Gigabit broadband roll-out, and using it to help upgrade parts of major towns and cities (e.g. central London). Just to recap. The £5bn Project Gigabit scheme aims to help extend 1Gbps (download) capable networks to reach at least 85% of UK premises by 2025 (we’re...

Alternative operator Netomnia, which is currently merging with Brsk (here) and supported by broadband ISP YouFibre, has given an update to ISPreview on their plan to deploy ADTRAN’s cutting edge 50G PON kit across their Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network. This should start to go live before the end of 2024 and package speeds of 40Gbps will be offered. Just to recap. The combined networks of Netomnia and Brsk currently reach over 1.82 million UK premises as ‘Ready for Service‘ and this is...

Internet video streaming provider Disney+ has followed the recent crackdown on password sharing (here) by hitting UK customers with a fresh round of annual price hikes, which are due to all be introduced from 17th October 2024 for new customers and 21st November 2024 for existing ones. The only good news is that Disney+’s “Standard with Ads” plan will remain at £4.99 per month, while “Standard” increases from £7.99 to £8.99 (or £79.90 to £89.90 annually) and “Premium” surges from £10.99 to...

With over 200 entries across 23 categories, this year’s World Communication Awards is more competitive than ever. After months of deliberation by the Award’s expert panel of over 100 judges, Total Telecom is delighted to announce the shortlisted entries below. Congratulations to all of the entrants that have made it this far. We look forward to seeing you at the Awards Ceremony on 10 December at The Marriott, Grosvenor Square, London! Book your ticket today! AI Excellence Award SK Telecom Jio...

Viewpoint Article by Pat Coxen, CEO of Cornerstone Connected Britain 2024 provided a vital platform for discussing the future of the UK’s digital connectivity. From policymakers to industry leaders, the event underscored a shared ambition to ensure that the UK remains competitive in the digital age while tackling the significant challenges that remain on the road to ubiquitous, high-quality connectivity. Accelerating infrastructure deployment A recurring theme throughout the event was the need...

Interview “We as an industry have got to do a lot better at articulating the benefits of digital infrastructure” At this year’s Connected Britain conference, we caught up with Cornerstone CEO Pat Coxen to discuss the UK’s approach to digital infrastructure. From the gradual rollout of 5G standalone to the impact of the new Labour government, Pat explains why clarity and collaboration in both the public and private sectors will be crucial to the UK’s connectivity success. You can watch the full...