Opensignal Ranks Largest 14 UK Broadband ISPs by Reliability
Benchmarking firm Opensignal has today published a complementary study to their recent research into the differences in broadband reliability across countries (here), which reveals the ISPs that deliver the strongest and poorest “broadband reliability experience” in the UK. Suffice to say that it’s a good day for Virgin Media and altnets. Just to recap. Opensignal leverages crowdsourced data collected via end-users on their benchmarking app and services. In this case they also harnessed their...
Broadband Infrastructure Company Ltd Wound Up After Court Order
The Broadband Infrastructure Company Ltd (formerly British Fibre Networks), which was once part of the i4 Technology Group, has been ordered to wind up its UK operations by the courts. The development comes after the company, which was previously run by CEO Elfed Thomas, found itself being hit by challenges from former staff over unpaid wages. In case anybody has forgotten, British Fibre Networks (BFN) originally aspired to create an open access and 1Gbps capable Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH)...
Openreach Trial Ruggedised ONT for Non-Traditional UK FTTP Installs
Network operator Openreach (BT) has begun to pilot a new “Ruggedised” Optical Network Terminal (ONT), which is the optical modem that in a domestic installation of Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) based gigabit broadband ISP lines would normally be screwed to your inside wall. But this ONT is intended for “Uninhabitable Locations“. The ONT / ONU or optical modem device is usually installed inside your home or office (wall hung), near to where the fibre optic cable physically enters your property,...
Network Operators Call for Fairer Pricing to Access Openreach’s UK Infrastructure
A new “PIA Coalition” of alternative UK broadband networks, including nexfibre, AllPoints Fibre, CommunityFibre, Gigaclear, Netomnia and Brsk, has been setup and is calling on market regulator Ofcom to “ensure a level playing field for access” to Openreach’s passive infrastructure (existing cable ducts and poles) in its upcoming Telecoms Access Review 2026 (TAR). At present Openreach is already required to provide access to their existing cable ducts and poles via the regulated Physical...
Full Fibre UK Broadband ISP BeFibre Launch 30 Day Contracts and Biz Plan
Merseyside-based UK ISP BeFibre, which is powered by FullFibre Ltd’s national gigabit speed Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network, has today launched two new products – FlexiMonth & BeWork. The first, FlexiMonth, essentially adds the option to take out a short monthly contract (instead of the usual 12-24 month terms), albeit at extra cost. All FlexiMonth packages come with a Linksys Wi-Fi 6 router and zero installation, activation or set-up fees. For example, BeFibre’s entry-level 150Mbps...
Three UK Warn Customers Over Rise in Missed Parcel SMS Scams
Mobile network operator Three UK has warned customers this week about an increase in fraudsters using “missed parcel” SMS (text) scam messages this summer, which are not a million miles from the fake DHL or FedEx delivery messages that tried to infect phones with malware a few years ago (and continue to do so today). The operator states that, since January 2024, they’ve blocked over 20 million “fraudulent messages” (roughly 111,111 a day). But recent research from Citizens Advice indicated...
Voneus Connect First Wireless Gigabit Broadband Users on Walney
Rural alternative network builder and ISP Voneus, which aims to cover 370,000 premises via both their gigabit-capable fixed wireless access (FWA) and full fibre (FTTP) broadband networks, has connected the first customer to their new wireless network on Walney Island in Cumbria (England) – just 8 weeks after they started building (here). Assuming all goes to plan, then the build could eventually end up connecting around 4,700 homes, many of which currently lack access to gigabit-capable...
EE UK Mobile Network Suffering Problems with Wi-Fi Calling
Some customers of mobile operator EE (BT) appear to be suffering from an outage or connectivity problems on their Wi-Fi Calling service today. This normally enables consumers with a supporting Smartphone to harness their home broadband or other WiFi connection in order to make mobile voice calls. The situation for some customers appears to have started early yesterday evening (or late afternoon), while others only began to notice it today. Complaints about the outage can be found littered...
New network expansions in Brazil and Europe for Neterra and NetIX
Neterra and NetIX, leading providers of connectivity, global network, and Internet Exchange solutions, significantly expanded their network capabilities. The companies added a new Brazilian internet exchange point (IX.br – Fortaleza) to their networks, providing clients with enhanced data-sharing opportunities in the South American market. In addition, Neterra and NetIX upgraded their existing point of presence (PoP) in Amsterdam, Netherlands, to meet the growing demand for high-capacity...
UKIB backs altnet Quickline for £250m
News The Yorkshire and Lincolnshire-based altnet says the investment will allow them to expand their full fibre network to a further 190,000 homes and businesses Today, the UK Infrastructure Bank (UKIB) has announced a £250 million debt package for full fibre network provider Quickline Communications. The funding, which takes the form of a £125 million term loan, a £100 million debt guarantee, and a £25 million term loan provided by NatWest, will reportedly allow Quickline to expand its...