Original article Total Telecom:Read More

New Collaboration Will Enable Centimeter-level Accuracy for Auto and IoT Applications Nationwide

“We are committed to growing and expanding our technology coverage to enable a more connected world of the future,” said Olivier Casabianca, vice president, advanced positioning at Trimble. “With an existing footprint in North America and Europe, we are building on our strategy to extend RTX Fast to other regions around the world.”

With more than seven million square miles (18 million square kilometers) of Trimble RTX Fast network coverage around the world, automotive manufacturers and IoT companies can leverage a consistent positioning technology platform ideal for enabling a broad range of applications. 

Key benefits of the Trimble and KT Corporation combined solution of bundled services will include:

• Seamless integration with existing IoT infrastructure
• Ability to purchase correction services and connectivity simultaneously
• Access to local expertise and support

To learn more about Trimble’s precise positioning technology for automotive and IoT applications, visit https://positioningservices.trimble.com.  

To learn more about KT Corporation’s nationwide network, visit https://enterprise.kt.com/pd/P_PD_BS_TS_001.do.

About Trimble

FTRMB

—30—

Original article Total Telecom:Read More

 NET CHECK, a company of the NC Group, is launching ACT-SCAN, a novel measurement system that for the first time enables fully automated and simultaneous monitoring of both public mobile networks and railway communication systems. Following successful certification in accordance with all relevant rail standards, the system is now ready for large-scale deployment – and is already being rolled out in its first major project.

ACT-SCAN was specifically developed for mobile use on railways and its robust hardware meets all requirements for operation under real-world rail conditions – including fire protection, resistance to extreme environmental influences, and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) in the railway environment.

Major Project with German Mobile Network Operators

The system’s first deployment is part of a collaboration with German mobile network operators. The goal is to sustainably improve passenger connectivity during train journeys. ACT-SCAN continuously records network quality along high-traffic routes and delivers precise measurement data.

These data provide a sound basis for decisions on concrete improvement measures – from the implementation of new technologies like RF-permeable windows to the identification of suitable cell site locations to close coverage gaps.

Technological Edge for the Mobility of the Future

ACT-SCAN closes a key gap in radio network measurement: It autonomously captures all public mobile networks simultaneously as well as railway communication systems. This makes measurements significantly more efficient and provides a reliable and comparable data basis for all stakeholders.

“The demand for reliable mobile connectivity along railway corridors is growing – not only for passengers but also for operational communication, automation, and safety,” says Dirk Tessmer, Project Manager at NET CHECK. “With ACT-SCAN, we offer the first solution that captures both domains simultaneously – fully automated, even at high speeds.”

ACT-SCAN continuously scans all relevant frequencies in the 350 MHz to 6 GHz range, enabling parallel analysis of GSM, LTE, 5G NR as well as operational radio technologies such as GSM-R, FRMCS, TETRA or Public Safety Radio. With the integration of up to two high-end scanners, the system delivers high-resolution measurement data – even at high travel speeds or in tunnels.

Comprehensive Evaluation of the Railway Radio Environment

A key application area is the assessment of the overall radio environment in railway operations – a critical factor particularly in the context of future technologies such as Automatic Train Operation (ATO). ACT-SCAN can also detect targeted disruptions such as jamming attacks, which could endanger communications and thus operational safety.

Thanks to its compact 19-inch form factor, a weight of under 20 kilograms, and support for various power supplies (12VDC, 24VDC, 110VDC, 230VAC), the system can be flexibly integrated into various types of rail vehicles. Remote control and connection to a centralized evaluation platform enable efficient and continuous data collection and analysis.

Ready for Use – and in High Demand Internationally

The potential use cases of ACT-SCAN go far beyond traditional rail transport: Thanks to its versatility, the system is also suitable for road and waterway applications – such as interference localization, misconfiguration detection, or quality assurance of complex radio networks. International interest – especially regarding ETCS and FRMCS – is already strong: railway companies abroad have expressed interest.

NET CHECK is actively seeking dialogue with railway operators and other stakeholders interested in innovative measurement technology for rail transport. The effort required by cooperation partners is typically low – the goal is to jointly improve the quality and safety of wireless coverage on the rails.

Original article Total Telecom:Read More

Telecom industry is using blockchain technology more and more to strengthen security and enhance identity management. Blockchain offers a strong framework for managing identities and safeguarding consumer data through the use of a decentralized ledger, making identity theft and data breaches practically unheard of.

📊 𝑮𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒍𝒍 𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 @ https://tinyurl.com/ysx6ddss

 By ensuring secure transactions and communications, this improves customer confidence and complies with regulations. The use of blockchain technology to offer revenue assurance and stop fraud is another noteworthy trend. Fraudulent activities such as roaming and subscription fraud cause telecom carriers to suffer significant losses. Because of its transparent and unchangeable ledger, blockchain ensures correct billing and minimizes revenue leakage by assisting in the real-time detection and prevention of fraudulent transactions. For telecom businesses, this improves operational efficiency and profitability.

🔗 𝑫𝒐𝒘𝒏𝒍𝒐𝒂𝒅 Sample Report @ https://tinyurl.com/nbdn8spm

 Key Growth Drivers:

• Fraud Prevention: Blockchain enables real-time, immutable data verification, minimizing SIM swap and call termination fraud.

• Smart Contracts: Automating interconnect agreements and billing using blockchain smart contracts improves accuracy and reduces processing time.

• Roaming and Identity Management: With blockchain, telecoms can streamline roaming services and securely authenticate users across borders.

• 5G & IoT Integration: As 5G and IoT adoption expands, blockchain helps manage billions of device identities and data exchange securely.

For media inquiries, interviews, or access to the full market report, please contact:

Divya Paidimalla
 IndustryARC
 www.industryarc.com

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Network operator Openreach (BT) has today announced that they’ve kicked off the construction phase for several of their recently awarded Project Gigabit broadband roll-out contracts with the government (BDUK), including in remote rural parts of Lancashire, Wales, Devon, Hertfordshire, Staffordshire and Wiltshire.

Just to recap. Over the past year Openreach has been selected to deliver all of Project Gigabit’s Cross-Regional (Type C) procurements (here, here and here) via a Single Supplier Framework agreement (here) – reflecting “up to” £800m in total state aid to help upgrade 312,000 premises to Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) technology in some of the hardest to reach parts of rural England, Scotland and Wales (i.e. premises with no prior access to gigabit connectivity).

The areas covered by these Type C contracts typically reflect locations where no or no appropriate market interest had previously been expressed before to the Government’s umbrella Building Digital UK (BDUK) agency, or areas that have been descoped or terminated from a prior plan. Areas like the ones above are often skipped due to being too expensive (difficult) for smaller suppliers. All the other Project Gigabit contracts have gone to smaller alternative networks (altnets).

The good news today is that Openreach have completed their initial engineering surveys and are now moving into the build phase for several of the contracted Type C areas, including in remote rural parts of Wales, Lancashire, Devon and Wiltshire. More will soon follow. We’ve also added details for Hertfordshire and Staffordshire below, which began a few days ago but slipped under our radar.

Openreach’s Initial Type C Build Activity for the Coming Months

Wales

Abercynon, Bedlinog, Llandrindod Wells, Llangollen, Glanrafon, Maerdy, Llandrillo, Betws Gwerfil Goch, Corwen, Llandderfel, Llaniestyn, Rhiwderin, Brynygwenin, Llanvihangel Crucorney[SB1] , Pandy, Llantilio Pertholey, Llanellen, Llansilin, Penegoes, Abercegir, Talywern, Llanwrin, Aberhosan, Melin-Bryhedyn and Castle Caereinion.

Lancashire

Haslingden, Loveclough, Rossendale, Lytham St Annes, Burscough, Lathom, Scarisbrick, Stacksteads, Bacup, Old Clough, Woodplumpton, Bartle, Catforth, Lea Town, Salwick, Clifton, Kirkham, Greenhalgh, Bryning, Treales and Standish.

Devon

Combe Martin, Fremington, Barnstaple, Iddesleigh, Beaford, Monkokehampton, Belstone, Okehampton, Sticklepath, South Zeal, Sampford Courtenay, Inwardleigh, Huish, Meeth, Petrockstowe, Exbourne, Northlew, Tawstock, Prixford, Marwood, Kentisbury, Muddiford, Stibb Cross, Newton St Petrock, Langtree, Peters Marland and Buckland Brewer.

Wiltshire

Calne, Stockley, Compton Bassett, Lacock, Chippenham, Lyneham, Wroughton, Royal Wootton Bassett, Swindon, Tockenham, Broad Town, Uffcott, Broad Hinton, Berwick Bassett, Winterbourne Bassett, Highworth and Sevenhampton.

Hertfordshire

Dane End, Great Munden and Ware

Staffordshire

Rugeley, including Wolseley Bridge, Blithbury, Colton; Cannock; Cheslyn Hay and Great Wyrley; Shareshill and Essington

Take note that Openreach’s Full Fibre (FTTP) network already reaches more than one million premises across Wales, as well as 200,000 across Wiltshire, 360,000 properties across Devon, 350,000 across Hertfordshire, 310,000 properties across Staffordshire and 520,000 properties across Lancashire (much of that came via commercial builds). The new contracts will push beyond this, tackling both new locations and also expanding coverage into some existing areas (infill).

The above only reflects part of the contracted counties and countries, so additional build announcements will follow as other areas reach the same stage. Most of these contracts will take several years to fully deliver.

Telecoms Minister, Sir Chris Bryant, said:

“I’m thrilled to see spades in the ground to bring fast, reliable broadband to communities in [rural areas] that have long struggled with poor connectivity – powered by our investment through Project Gigabit.

This isn’t just about faster internet. Whether it’s families streaming without interruption, farmers adopting smart technologies, or small businesses reaching new markets, we’re laying the foundations that drive economic growth and unlock opportunity across the country as part of this government’s Plan for Change.”

The new service, once live, can be ordered via various ISPs, such as BT, Sky Broadband, TalkTalk, Vodafone and more (Openreach FTTP ISP Choices) – it is not currently an automatic upgrade, although some providers have started to do free automatic upgrades as older copper-based services and lines are slowly withdrawn.

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

A new study from SignalTracker, which operates a popular Android-based mobile app for monitoring and examining mobile phone reception and performance (not available on Apple’s iOS), has named Vodafone as the best mobile operator in Central London for its balance of 4G / 5G coverage and mobile broadband speeds.

The figures quoted below stem from over 11,000 tests carried out by PolicyTracker in February and March 2025. Each network was tested outdoors simultaneously at the same locations. The research is based on real-world user experience using data from the SignalTracker app, developed by PolicyTracker.

Interestingly, the study found that Three UK had the “fastest network” in the area, with an average mobile broadband download speed of 49.79Mbps. But the operator struggled in the overall ranking for Central London because it was found to have “very patchy coverage with too many dead zones“.

By comparison, in terms of raw speed, Vodafone’s average network speed is just behind at 47.57Mbps, with EE (BT) and O2 (Virgin Media) the slowest at 34.53Mbps and 32.27Mbps respectively. A further factor for people to consider is if their Smartphone is actually getting 5G.

The 5G icons don’t necessarily mean that the phone has an active 5G connection, confusingly, it can sometimes mean that 5G equipment is available on the base station the phone is connected to and the actual signal is still 4G (somewhat of a quirk with how modern Smartphones work).

On this front, Vodafone also performed the best: 89% of their test results were actual 5G connections. Three UK was second with 59%, while both EE (7%) and O2 (13%) were far behind. Interestingly, it was noted that some 87% of test results on EE were 4G with a 5G icon showing (all the other operators were in single digit percentage points for this).

Original article Total Telecom:Read More

Interview

At this year’s DTW conference in Copenhagen, we spoke to triPica CEO Mathieu Horn to discuss how eSIM and AI-powered BSS is empowering customers to create hyper personalised usage plans

The telecoms industry has long struggled with stagnant growth and razor thin margins, with stale “more data for less” packages doing little to win market share or increase average revenue per user. But despite this lacklustre performance, most telcos are still loath to change their ways.  

For Mathieu Horn, CEO of Paris-based BSS provider triPica, clinging to legacy thinking is a clear mistake. Operators must move away from their pure focus on data and instead provide customers with more flexibility and a wider range of options.  

“We need to help operators monetise their customers’ digital lifestyles with propositions that give them what they actually want,” said Horn. “People are tired of simply more and more data. That’s not the way the industry is going to get back to growth.” 

triPica CEO Mathieu Horn

Digital-first brands and customisation 

For many years, telcos have offered diverse packages focussing on range of user demographics, whether from gamers to parents. But while this is a step in the right direction, it is a half-measure when more dynamic, hyper personalised packages – created by the subscribers themselves – can be achieved with the right IT stack.  

This is what triPica’s BSS platform does: it supports eSIM and digital onboarding, allowing telcos to quickly deliver the exact services the customer needs.  

The company’s technology is already underpinning successful challenger brands like Yoodo by Celcom in Malaysia, where customers can build their own plan, pay for it, confirm their identity digitally, and download the eSIM, all in roughly three minutes.  

“Want more data but zero texts? No problem,” explains Horn. “Hit the button to apply changes instantly or from the next billing cycle. If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, there’s an AI recommendation tool that analyses your usage, explains its suggestion, and helps you make an informed decision. That’s real value.” 

This level of control and responsiveness reflects a broader shift in user expectations. In the age of instant everything, operators can no longer afford to deliver slow, rigid customer experiences. 

“Sadly, we’re used to these customer journeys taking a long time,” said Horn. “For example, you land in a foreign country, and you want to buy a roaming package, but the FAQ says it might take 24 hours to activate. That’s just too long. With us, you press buy, you get it. That immediacy is essential. It builds trust.” 

With greater customisation also comes greater options for making a specific brand unique. Working with Bouygues Telecom in France, for example, triPica helped to launch Source Mobile, an eco-focussed mobile plan that challenged customers to use less of their data package. 

“Source is making users aware of their digital CO2 footprint,” Horn said. “The unused data at the end of the month becomes a kind of digital currency, which users can donate to selected sustainable projects, like planting a forest. Bouygues then funds those initiatives directly on the customer’s behalf.” 

For sustainability-conscious customers, such a proposition is very attractive, providing significant differentiation compared to rival telcos.    

A risk or insurance for the future?  

Of course, launching a new brand like this is no small feat. At a time when telco margins are small, many Western telcos are proving slow to adopt this sort of change. In emerging markets, however, this appetite for agility appears to be higher. 

“I’m surprised how agile and fast they are,” Horn said. “In Europe, there’s a sense of paralysis, of not knowing what to do. Everyone is walking the well-trodden path.” 

Horn’s advice? Start small. Launch a digital brand outside the main organisation and let it prove itself. 

“Telcos need to be brave if they want growth. We’ve had customers launch digital sub-brands to defend against aggressive new entrants like Iliad and now those sub-brands are outperforming their legacy business.” 

In fact, Horn argues that the real risk for telcos lies in not transforming their propositions in time. In a hypercompetitive landscape saturated with homogenous data offers, differentiated service models are increasingly necessary for success.  

“MNOs need to change. Launching a new digital brand can be done quickly and cost-effectively, delivering real value for customers,” Horn concluded. “It’s very cheap insurance for the future. Test it, learn from it, scale it up. That’s how a telco can remain competitive.” 

Keep up with all the latest telecoms news with the Total Telecom newsletter

Also in the news:
US judge rules Huawei must face charges of fraud and racketeering
Optus ditches football rights to focus on telecoms
Nokia launches digital twin platform Enscryb to digitalise energy sector

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Researchers from Kai Security have identified eighteen extensions (add-ons) for Google’s Chrome and Microsoft’s Edge website browsers, some of which are both well rated and widely installed, that have been stealthily used to hide a Trojan infection that can hijack your browser and steal personal data. Worse is that 2.3 million users have installed one of them.

The extensions themselves are often quite clever in the sense that they actually deliver on the features they claim in public and often only add the Trojan much later (sometimes years later). As a result, many of them have been around for years, earning good reviews and a degree of trust. Not to mention that Microsoft and Google clearly have not previously discovered any problems via their limited checks and balances.

“This isn’t some obvious scam extension thrown together in a weekend. This is a carefully crafted Trojan horse that delivers exactly what it promises while simultaneously hijacking your browser, tracking every website you visit, and maintaining a persistent command and control backdoor. Not only that, but it remained legitimate for years before becoming malicious through a version update,” said Idan Dardikman of Kai Security about one of the identified extensions.

Due to how Google and Microsoft handle browser extension updates, these malicious versions auto-installed themselves silently, often without end-users needing to click anything. “No phishing. No social engineering. Just trusted extensions with quiet version bumps that turned productivity tools into surveillance malware,” added Idan. “Every click, every website visit, every online transaction becomes a potential attack vector.”

Kai Security first discovered this while investigating the ‘Color Picker, Eyedropper — Geco colorpick‘ extension, before later identifying it as being just the tip of a “sophisticated cross-platform network” of eighteen malicious extensions spanning both Chrome and Edge stores, all sharing the same hijacking functionality. The team have dubbed this as the RedDirection campaign.

The extensions span across a diverse set of categories including emoji keyboards, weather forecasters, video speed controllers, VPN proxies for Discord and TikTok, dark themes, volume boosters, and YouTube unblockers. But if you’ve read this far, then you’d probably rather we just skipped ahead to list the ones you need to check and remove.

Extension IDs

Chrome:

• kgmeffmlnkfnjpgmdndccklfigfhajen — [Emoji keyboard online — copy&past your emoji.]
• dpdibkjjgbaadnnjhkmmnenkmbnhpobj — [Free Weather Forecast]
• gaiceihehajjahakcglkhmdbbdclbnlf — [Video Speed Controller — Video manager]
• mlgbkfnjdmaoldgagamcnommbbnhfnhf — [Unlock Discord — VPN Proxy to Unblock Discord Anywhere]
• eckokfcjbjbgjifpcbdmengnabecdakp — [Dark Theme — Dark Reader for Chrome]
• mgbhdehiapbjamfgekfpebmhmnmcmemg — [Volume Max — Ultimate Sound Booster]
• cbajickflblmpjodnjoldpiicfmecmif — [Unblock TikTok — Seamless Access with One-Click Proxy]
• pdbfcnhlobhoahcamoefbfodpmklgmjm — [Unlock YouTube VPN]
• eokjikchkppnkdipbiggnmlkahcdkikp — [Color Picker, Eyedropper — Geco colorpick]
• ihbiedpeaicgipncdnnkikeehnjiddck — [Weather]

Edge:

• jjdajogomggcjifnjgkpghcijgkbcjdi — [Unlock TikTok]
• mmcnmppeeghenglmidpmjkaiamcacmgm — [Volume Booster — Increase your sound]
• ojdkklpgpacpicaobnhankbalkkgaafp — [Web Sound Equalizer]
• lodeighbngipjjedfelnboplhgediclp — [Header Value]
• hkjagicdaogfgdifaklcgajmgefjllmd — [Flash Player — games emulator]
• gflkbgebojohihfnnplhbdakoipdbpdm — [Youtube Unblocked]
• kpilmncnoafddjpnbhepaiilgkdcieaf — [SearchGPT — ChatGPT for Search Engine]
• caibdnkmpnjhjdfnomfhijhmebigcelo — [Unlock Discord]

Kai Security recommends that anybody who has installed one of these browser extensions should, obviously, remove them, then clear your browser data/cache, run a full system malware scan, monitor your online accounts and also conduct a review of all your other extensions.

“The attackers didn’t just evade Google and Microsoft’s review process; they systematically exploited it at scale, turning the marketplace into a distribution platform for sophisticated surveillance malware,” concluded Idan. Clearly, Microsoft and Google need to re-think their current approach to extension security and updates, particularly as some of these add-ons are still available for download from some of the official stores (e.g. here).

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Infracapital-backed UK ISP Ogi, which is rolling out a 10Gbps capable full fibre (FTTP) broadband network across South Wales (110,000 RFS premises passed by end of 2024), has today announced that they’ve released another batch of grants – worth around £5,000 – as part of their “Cefnogi” community support fund for local projects.

The community support fund (“Cefnogi”) typically offers grants worth up to £500, and volunteering hours, to local grassroots community groups to help them “explore innovative approaches for promoting technology“ – focused on areas where Ogi have been building their new network.

The winning projects this time around include Scout camping trips, BBQs for veterans, social breakfasts and a nature-based well-being programme – “all helping to ease loneliness, build confidence and bring people together in real life,” said the provider.

For example, the Pembrokeshire Vikings – a mixed-ability rugby team led by former Scarlets and Ospreys prop Simon Gardiner, secured a grant that will go towards a West Wales inclusive sports day, giving local children the chance to try out adapted sports for the first time.

Summary of Winning Projects

Pontyclun Bosom Pals – for their summer BBQ

Caldicot Town Team – for their dementia puzzle library

Redberth Croft – to run a series of workshops supporting veterans, individuals with additional learning needs and other vulnerable groups

Barry Veterans Group – to fund their weekly breakfast initiative

1st Bulwark Scouts – for the replacement of damaged equipment

Pembrokeshire Vikings – to assist in set-up costs for their Inclusive Sports Day

Sarah Vining, Ogi’s Brand Marketing Director, said:

“We set up Cefnogi to support the brilliant things already happening in our communities – and this round of projects show off the creativity we have in abundance right across south Wales.

Whether it’s through sport, getting together for breakfast, puzzle swaps or outdoor therapy, they are all about feeling part of something – and making space for the kind of moments that really matter.”

We should add that part of Ogi’s network is also harnessing Nokia’s 25G PON technology, thus it could be described as 25Gbps capable.

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Customers of Sky Broadband’s “superfast” (part-fibre) packages (FTTC or SOGEA), specifically those living in areas where Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) lines now exist from either Openreach or CityFibre’s networks, have started to receive Texts (SMS) and WhatsApp messages inviting them to upgrade to their Full Fibre 100Mbps (18Mbps upload) service “at no extra charge“.

So far as ISPreview can tell, the new programme appears to have started a few weeks ago, although it’s recently started to ramp-up with more invitations going out. We suspect it’s no coincidence that this is occurring shortly after Sky Broadband introduced support for CityFibre’s cheaper and faster network (here), which reaches around 4.5 million UK premises (Openreach’s FTTP covers 19 million). Sky also benefits from volume discounts when upgrading customers on to Openreach’s FTTP lines.

Suffice to say that it makes sense for Sky Broadband to upgrade customers to full fibre once it becomes available in an area (other providers, such as TalkTalk, have similar programmes). But doing so at scale often has to be carefully managed and phased over time to avoid over-stretching engineering resources.

The upgrades will naturally require an engineer’s visit to install the new line to your home, as well as an optical modem (ONT / ONU) and router (some customers will already have their latest router). But take note that vulnerable customers with incompatible telecare alarm systems won’t yet be able to take advantage of this programme.

Sky is home to somewhere around 5.5 to 5.7 million broadband customers and most of those will probably still be on part-fibre connections, which gives some indication as to the scale of such a programme and why it has to be carefully managed. But it’s also possible to request the upgrade directly, provided you’re in an area where FTTP is available from the aforementioned networks.

Customers who are successfully upgraded will usually not be able to move back to their old connection later (FTTC will eventually be retired), won’t pay more per month than they currently do, should retain their existing Sky Talk phone number (if you have one) and your existing contract term will NOT be changed (e.g. if you had 3 months left until end of term then that will stay the same).

Sky’s Full Fibre At No Extra Cost FAQ
https://www.sky.com/help/articles/full-fibre-broadband-at-no-extra-cost

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

The Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) and Neos Networks have today confirmed the completion of their £7.25m “GigaHubs” project, which has now connected 192 public sector sites (schools, hospitals etc.) to a new 1,500km long gigabit-capable full fibre broadband network.

Just to recap. Neos holds the contract for this, but they’re also partly acting as an aggregator, bringing together several connectivity suppliers — including Openreach, Virgin Media (Business) and alternative network ISP Gigaclear — to help build, manage and operate the new infrastructure (laying the foundations for a “smart county“).

The project, which is part of the GigaHubs (formerly Local Full Fibre Networks) scheme under the Government’s £5bn Project Gigabit programme, first began in 2021 (here) and was previously due to be completed toward the end of 2024 (i.e. it took just a little longer than originally planned). Funding for the 20-year deal included a £5m investment from OCC, around £2m from Project Gigabit and, £250k from the Local Enterprise Partnership.

Some benefits of the new network have already been observed in communities where the new infrastructure is operational. For example, village halls and community centres are live-streaming events, meetings, clubs, and classes, to name a selection.

In addition to providing new full fibre broadband, the Digital Infrastructure Programme has also funded 3 years of paid internet access for the 55 community centres and village halls connected through the project. The OCC has ambitions to equip these community and village halls to become ‘community hubs’, offering enhanced services, health and social care support, and reducing the need for people to travel further afield to access vital public services.

Craig Bower, Digital Connectivity Programme Director, said:

“The completion of the GigaHubs project marks a significant milestone in our mission to enhance digital connectivity across Oxfordshire. By providing gigabit-capable broadband to 192 public service sites, we have not only improved the quality of services offered at these locations but also stimulated further commercial investment in rural areas. This project exemplifies our commitment to digital inclusion and community development.”

David Bruce, CRO at Neos Networks, said:

“We’re delighted to have played a pivotal role in Oxfordshire’s GigaHubs project, which has empowered schools, GP practices, libraries, and other community hubs with fast and reliable gigabit-capable broadband. The collaboration has allowed us to use our expertise and relationships to deliver real public good and support the council’s vision for a smarter, more connected Oxfordshire. This project should serve as a blueprint for other local authorities seeking to bridge the digital divide support community development”.

The project has also allowed the migration from expensive leased line services to direct fibre internet services for council buildings. This has both improved connectivity performance while achieving a saving of £69,619.08 a year on connectivity costs for the council.

The new fibre isn’t just about serving public sector sites, since the new footprint of rural infrastructure that it creates can also help to incentivise other broadband operators to connect surrounding premises to faster speeds (usually requires a separate private investment). This seems to have played a role in Gigaclear’s Project Gigabit contract win in the county during late 2023 (here).

Finally, the OCC has secured a £20,000 social value contribution under the deal, which has been used to purchase 30 public computers – these have been allocated to the Oxford Westgate Library, Cowley Library, and Abingdon Library.