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Fancy setting up your own private 4G mobile broadband network? A hobbyist club of UK mobile network enthusiasts has banded together to create AzurePCS, which enables individuals or small communities to legally deploy indoor 4G mobile data coverage using Ofcom’s Shared Access spectrum (LTE Band 40 – 2300MHz).

The idea is partly to give people an alternative to relying on WiFi or unlicensed solutions. The network itself is said to be based around LTE [4G] Baicells femtocells (i.e. mini-indoor base stations for mobile signals), which connect back to their centrally hosted core network over standard broadband. The LTE EPC (core network) setup they’re using also harnesses an open source project called Open5GS.

Naturally, each femtocell operator must also be able to obtain their own Ofcom Shared Access licence (currently £80/year for 10 MHz or £160/year for 20 MHz). “We can help guide them. In most cases, people can obtain an indoor-only licence, unless they are located close to Ministry of Defence sites, as the MoD are the incumbent users of this band,” said Alex of the AzurePCS project.

So far as community driven UK telecom projects go, this one is really quite interesting, but it’s worth noting that there are some limitations to this approach. The network that is established is only able to deliver a 4G (LTE) data / internet connection because they don’t have an interconnection with public networks, which means no external calls or text (SMS) messages to mobile users on other networks (or emergency calling).

However, you can send internal SMS (text) messages between other AzurePCS users, while external SMS is being looked at as a future development. Voice-over-LTE (VoLTE) is also under testing for internal calls, although at present it’s intermittent and only seems to work reliably on Samsung phones.

“It’s very much an experimental, evolving project for people to join and have fun with,” said Alex to ISPreview. In other words, anybody looking to deploy this network won’t be doing so as part of a professional service, but more as a hobbyist platform for experiments or unique community projects; it is clearly not designed to replace a real mobile network.

Alex said:

“We’re actively building and testing a 2G core network by osmocom, with the longer-term aim of supporting combined 2G + 4G femtocells to enable internal circuit-switched calls and CS fallback, improving device compatibility and resilience.

Importantly, this isn’t a commercial MVNO or ISP product. There’s currently no usage fee, and in future we may introduce a voluntary £2/month membership tier purely to help cover hosting and operational costs. The goal is experimentation, education, exploring how shared spectrum and community cellular networks could be used in the UK alongside general fun for fellow hobbyists like myself.”

At the time of writing, AzurePCS hadn’t yet launched their shop with the necessary hardware for purchase, but that’s expected to happen very soon (due next month). One other thing to be aware of is that this setup should work on most fixed broadband connections, but some ISPs (e.g. Vodafone) may adopt parental or network-level restrictions that cause connectivity problems.

For example, some ISPs block UDP port 500 and 4500, which are required for the IPsec tunnel used by the femtocells to securely connect back to the AzurePCS core. If these ports are blocked, the femtocell cannot establish a connection. Equally, some consumer broadband connections may have restrictions in their T&Cs that could forbid running certain types of hosted networks or servers , although this is rarely enforced (business packages usually allow it).

Finally, the network will work on almost all devices (Smartphones) that support LTE Band 40, although there is one exception for some Apple iPhones (iPhones older than version 12 won’t connect due to the fact AzurePCS use a private (999) PLMN).

Now, for those who like mobile network stats, here’s a live example of the setup in operation..

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

The Wiltshire Council in England has confirmed that it’s taking UK broadband and telecoms giant Openreach (BT) to the Swindon Magistrates Court over a dispute related to permits. The hearing is set to take place on 1st July 2026 and could potentially result in the network access provider being fined thousands of pounds.

Openreach’s new gigabit-capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) based broadband ISP network has already reached more than 215,000 properties across Wiltshire, which they’re continuing to expand via both commercial deployments and publicly subsidised Project Gigabit contracts. On the whole this has been going well, but the local authority recently identified a number of problems.

According to Wiltshire Council (via the Wiltshire Times), Openreach is accused of carrying out a number of street (road) works without a permit. The claim is that the network operator failed to seek permits for work it carried out in Weymouth Street, Warminster in September and October 2024 (the road was closed in both directions during these works).

The local authority also claims Openreach conducted work on the A350 at Semley (Shaftsbury) and on the A30 at Barford St Martin, near Wilton, without a permit. Openreach are said to be denying a total of seven charges.

Cllr Martin Smith, Cabinet Member for Highways, said:

“Our Network Management Team has initiated prosecution proceedings against Openreach in relation to three separate incidents where roads were closed without securing the required permission from the highway authority. As this is an active legal case, we are unable to comment further at this time.”

This is of course not the first time that a major national UK telecoms operator like Openreach has faced such a case, indeed they faced similar charges in Cumbria (England) last year and ended up being fined a total of £9,000 at the Barrow Magistrates Court (here). Various other network operators have also fallen foul of the rules in recent years (examples here, here and here). Such cases are rare, but they do crop up from time to time.

At present, we don’t know the detailed context of the latest incidents, as there can sometimes be mitigating circumstances involved (e.g. third-party contractors or network operators finding it cheaper to take a fine than follow the tedious official route). In many cases operators often end up being charged under Section 71 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 and Regulation 19 of the Traffic Management Permit Scheme (England) Regulations 2007.

We have asked Openreach to comment on this report, although it wouldn’t be surprising if they declined while the legal case is active.

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

A new Attest survey that was conducted on behalf of full fibre broadband ISP Hyperoptic, which questioned 1,000 “nationally representative” UK adults during February 2026, has claimed that 41% of respondents believe they are paying more for their home internet connection than they should and 47% have never checked whether a better deal is available.

The survey, which should admittedly be viewed though Hyperoptic’s scope of vested interest and the potential unreliability of such a small sample size, goes on to claim that 51% of respondents pay £30 or more per month for broadband and only 19% pay £40 or more. But it also notes how 7% say they are currently out of contract with their existing provider.

The ISP estimates that households remaining out of contract could be paying £15-£17 more per month than necessary – equivalent to up to £190 per year – based, they say, on the typical differences between advertised in-contract and standard out-of-contract pricing across major providers (supportive figures were not provided for this).

Lutfu Kitapci, CCO and MD of ISP at Hyperoptic, said:

“The introduction of One Touch Switch has made it significantly easier for customers to move provider, and we’re seeing meaningful engagement across the market. However, our research shows that a significant proportion of households still feel they are overpaying or are not reviewing their options. As switching friction reduces, transparency, reliability and fair pricing become even more important competitive differentiators.”

On the issue of “overpaying,” it’s important to remember that price alone isn’t the only deciding factor and consumers also tend to consider other aspects, such as service and support quality or value-added extras (some features may not be found on rivals). Suffice to say, if your current provider has continued to deliver a good service and the features you want, then you’re less likely to consider switching.

In addition, some smaller providers don’t play the same discount games as the big boys and often adopt the same pricing post-contract as they do for new users, which can make them seem more expensive initially. But over the long-term, the differences through consistent pricing will often narrow for loyal subscribers.

The survey sadly fails to establish how many consumers may have alternatively haggled for a lower price, or even been offered a lower price automatically, to stay with their existing ISP (Retentions – Tips for Cutting Your Broadband Bill). But your mileage from haggling will vary and not all providers do it (big providers are usually more receptive).

The end-of-contract notifications system arguably makes existing customers much more likely to try haggling, rather than switch, unless they’re unhappy with their ISP’s performance. Switching between providers has at least recently been made significantly quicker and easier, thanks to systems like One Touch Switching (OTS) on broadband or Text-to-Switch (Auto-Switch) on mobile (actual data shows 1.62 million fixed broadband and phone users switched between Sept 2024 and Sept 2025).

Finally, those on state benefits (Universal Credit etc.) often also have the option of taking a cheaper Social Tariff – see our Quick Guide to UK Social Tariffs, which tend to start as low as £12 per month. Hyperoptic have some of the fastest social tariffs in the market, provided their network is available to your property (it claims to cover 1.9 million premises).

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Kent-based independent internet provider Vfast (Orbital Net), which sells broadband packages to homes via a mix of wireless (FWA) and full fibre (CityFibre and OFNL etc.) networks, has today announced that they’ve launched a new Customer Support Hub – a dedicated online platform designed to “make finding answers faster, simpler, and more convenient“.

The new hub seems like a more useful support page for the service, which provides access to nearly 100 helpful articles, step-by-step guides, account support information, troubleshooting tips, and expert advice to help customers get the best performance from their connection. This is something that a lot of other ISPs already have in one form or another.

“As part of our ongoing commitment to being a truly customer-focused ISP, we’re always looking for ways to improve how we support you. While our ticket system, phone line, and chatbot remain available, we know many customers prefer quick, self-service solutions,” said a spokesperson for the provider. “We’ll continue adding new guides and helpful content, so keep checking back.”

What’s in the new Customer Support Hub?

• Router and equipment setup guides
• Step-by-step troubleshooting for common issues
• Account and billing support information
• Wi-Fi optimisation tips
• Searchable FAQs and how-to articles
• Regularly updated support content
• Instant access to answers
• Simple, easy-to-follow guides
• Searchable support articles
• Support available anytime, anywhere

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

The Independent Networks Co-operative Association (INCA), which represents many of the UK’s alternative broadband networks, has today welcomed the Government’s publication this week of their proposed Statement of Strategic Priorities (SSP) for telecommunications – suggesting it aligns with their perspective on the market and future policy desires.

The SSP typically reflects a legal mechanism that is underpinned by part of the Digital Economy Act 2017 and is designed to set out the strategic priorities to support growth, which Ofcom must have regard to when exercising its regulatory functions. The previous Conservative government set one of these for telecoms in 2019 and the current Labour government began drafting one last July 2025 (here).

In the broader sense, the Proposed SSP does not usually offer much in the way of surprises and largely summarises targets and programmes that the government, industry and Ofcom were already in the process of doing. But such summaries can still be useful by virtue of helping people to see what broad issues and challenges are currently occupying the industry, as well as how much progress is being made on them.

However, INCA appears to have dug a bit deeper into the text, while choosing to seeing it as a clear signal that competition and investment will remain central to the Government’s telecoms policy. In particular, the association points to the stronger direction it appears to give Ofcom on early intervention, as well as references to Openreach’s sometimes divisive Equinox discounts on FTTP lines, and the restatement of the fair bet principle, among other things.

“The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has adopted a firmer and more directive tone, strengthening expectations that Ofcom must have proper regard for the SSP and improving reporting and transparency,” said INCA’s announcement. The association believes the outcome is a “major win for Altnets on a number of fronts“, stating that it:

• Is a clear endorsement of early intervention where there is a risk of harm to competition, with Ofcom encouraged to act on credible risk rather than waiting for proven damage. 
• Reinforces the expectation that market distortions must be addressed promptly – with the explicit reference to the equinox pricing framework – providing greater certainty for investors and Altnets.
• Underlines that the transition from copper to full fibre must not undermine wholesale competition, key for Altnets to continue to compete and deliver for consumers and businesses nationwide.
• Gives clear recognition of the need to protect incentives for those investing in new fibre infrastructure with the strong restatement of the fair bet principle for all investors, giving reassurance to the financial community backing independent networks.
• Strengthens the investment case across the UK with the emphasis on business connectivity, and rural deployment further strengthens the investment case across the UK.
• Rural deployment further strengthens the investment case across the UK.

In addition, while the SSP signals a future move towards equivalence of input in Physical Infrastructure Access (i.e. access to run fibre via Openreach’s existing cable ducts and poles), it stops short of immediate implementation. INCA believes a clearer pathway would provide greater certainty. On PIA pricing, the focus on transparency and long term certainty was welcomed by the Association which stated its commitment to engage constructively to ensure arrangements support sustainable competition in all parts of the country.

Paddy Paddison, Chief Executive of INCA, said:

“This is an important moment for the sector. The government has backed Altnets, they have backed early intervention to protect competition, reinforced the fair bet principle for investors, and made clear that the fibre transition must not weaken wholesale competition.

We were also full of praise for the support we’ve had from Minister Baroness Lloyd following a meeting on Monday 12 January where our members shared the challenges of our industry alongside the opportunities of a competitive marketplace.”

Our members are delivering gigabit connectivity at pace across the UK. This clear directive strengthens the framework that allows them to continue doing so, with competition and long-term investment firmly at its heart.”

A spokesperson for ITS Fibre said:

“ITS welcomes the SSP, taking a positive view of its approach and hope that OFCOM fully reflect this in the closely forthcoming Telecoms Access Review (TAR) consultation that is due to be published this quarter. In particular, being the most significant ‘Altnet’ focused wholly on the Business Market we are encouraged by direct references to the importance of further infrastructure competition into business areas without current competitive deployments and the statement that this should be a priority.

We also welcome the reference that supports specifically the development of plurality within the leased line market. We are pleased that our work with INCA has resulted in the recognition in the SSP of these areas that fully support the Governments pro-competition, pro-growth agenda.”

A spokesperson for CommunityFibre said:

“We warmly welcome the Government’s decision to act on the evidence provided by Community Fibre and INCA. By amending the Statement of Strategic Priorities to explicitly include the ‘fair bet’ principle, Ministers have sent a crucial signal that regulation will support all firms making large investments to upgrade the UK’s broadband network, rather than protecting the returns of the incumbent alone.

This clarity is essential to encourage further investment which delivers the competition that drives the nation’s economic growth.”

We’d probably caution against reading too much into what the SSP might deliver, since there’s often a gap between the drive or positivity of its language and actual delivery. The real key will be in what Ofcom ultimately decides next month when they publish the outcome of their 5-yearly Telecoms Access Review 2026 (TAR), which will set the core market rules until 2031. But we aren’t expecting this TAR to deliver too many significant changes, as it’s more of an interim update to the existing national regulatory strategy.

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

A Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) broadband network that serves the remote Inner Hebrides (Scotland) island of Tiree – Tiree Broadband – has today announced that it is to close on 1st June 2026 after operating for the best part of two decades. Put simply, the local service is said to be “no longer needed“.

The provider was originally setup as a not-for-profit company that was established by the Tiree Community Development Trust (Tiree CDT), which is owned and managed by the local community. Back in 2017 the provider also secured £80,000 from the Community Broadband Scotland (CBS) programme to help upgrade their local wireless broadband network to support “superfast” speeds of 30Mbps.

However, in recent year’s Openreach have been deploying their Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network across the island, which is before we also consider the presence of Starlink’s LEO satellite broadband service that can now offer relatively low latency 100Mbps speeds from just £35 per month. Suffice to say that the small island community now has options that never existed before.

Tiree Broadband Announcement

Tiree Broadband will be closing on 1st June of this year.

The plan was for the service to exist until it was no longer needed. That time has arrived! Now that fibre is here and people have moved across to it, the Tiree Broadband service is costing more to run than it is earning, and it’s time to wind it down.

As of the 1st June your Tiree Broadband service will stop and you will no longer receive an internet connection through it. If you have not yet ordered your fibre, please do so as soon as possible. This is a good place to start – https://www.openreach.com/fibre-broadband

If fibre is not available to your property or you cannot get an installation date before 1st June, email broadband@tireetrust.org.uk with your address and we will flag it with Openreach. If you don’t want fibre broadband then satellite options, or 4G are also available.

We know that many people have tireebroadband.com email addresses. We plan to ensure those are still available, and will be in touch with you individually about that.

We will keep you updated as we continue to wind down. For now, thank you for the support over the years – and your help over the next few months will be much appreciated!

Credits to Thinkbroadband for spotting this development.

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Rural UK ISP Quickline, which is building a new gigabit-capable full fibre (FTTP) and fixed wireless (FWA) network across parts of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire in England (3-Year Rollout Plan), has revealed that a further 7 communities in East Yorkshire (England) have now been connected as part of their associated Project Gigabit contract.

Just to recap. The provider holds several contracts under the Government’s £5bn Project Gigabit scheme, including the £118.9m (public subsidy) one for the East Riding of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire (Lot 23), which was announced back in July 2024 and originally aimed to reach around 72,000 additional premises over the next few years (officially the contracted figure is currently 47,800).

According to the latest data from the Government’s Building Digital UK (BDUK) agency (here), Quickline has so far covered 13,270 premises under this contract. The latest seven locations to go live on the new network include Langtoft, Rudston, Kilham, Cherry Burton, Etton, Catwick and Tickton – reflecting about 2,000 premises (note: two thirds of that is via Project Gigabit and the rest are part of Quickline’s commercial build).

Lauren Robson, Quickline, said:

“Some of these communities are small, quite isolated and have been waiting a long time for decent connectivity. We’re incredibly proud to be involved in delivering a network that is making a real difference to the lives of people who live and work here.”

Quickline currently aims to extend gigabit-capable broadband to a further 360,000 UK premises across thousands of rural communities (roughly 170k via publicly funded projects and almost 200k from commercial builds). The provider recently reported that they ended 2025 with 200,000 premises passed via full fibre (plus 200k more via wireless).

Customers of the service currently pay from just £24.99 per month on a 24-month minimum term for symmetric speeds of 200Mbps, which rises to £32.99 for 1000Mbps (1Gbps). New subscribers can also benefit from up to £300 of switching credit, which helps to cover early termination chargers if you choose to leave your old provider while still within contract.

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Internet access and online security provider Gigabit IQ (formerly Grayshott Gigabit) has this morning announced that they’ve partnered up with telecare alarm provider Careline365, which aims to help protect vulnerable and elderly households during the UK’s transition away from analogue landlines and on to digital phone services with a new package.

Just for some context. Back in 2024 the big legacy phone switch-off was delayed from the end of 2025 to 31st January 2027 in order to give broadband ISPs, phone, telecare providers, councils and consumers more time to adapt (details). The main focus of this delay was the 1.8 million UK people who depend upon vital home telecare systems (e.g. elderly, disabled, and vulnerable people), which aren’t always compatible with digital phone services.

The industry-led shift to digital phones is being driven by two major changes, including the looming retirement of copper lines in favour of full fibre (FTTP) broadband (inc. future exchange closures) and the fact that reliability of the old network is in decline (i.e. it’s becoming harder for operators to source parts and skills for older technologies).

Suffice to say that internet, phone and telecare providers are now busy working to ensure that vulnerable customers are able to make the switch safely, which is where Gigabit IQ’s partnership with Careline365 comes into play. The work will offer integrated digital connectivity and telecare solutions to customers (i.e. a bundle of full fibre broadband and digital telecare solutions).

Key Features of the Integrated Service

• Digital-Ready Alarms – All packages include fully digital-enabled Careline365 alarms, eliminating reliance on outdated landline systems.
• Mobile Coverage Failover – Options include alarms with built-in SIMs for areas without broadband access. Landline options are available only in extreme cases where both internet and mobile coverage are unavailable.
• Multiple Emergency Contacts – Users can register up to six trusted contacts. In the event of no response, these contacts will be called to reduce pressure on emergency services.
• Reliable Connectivity – Gigabit IQ ensures dependable fibre broadband, designed with family and safety-critical use in mind, especially for households dependent on telecare.
• More information can be found at https://www.gigabitiq.com/careline-365-partner/

Mashood Ahmad, Founder of Gigabit IQ, said:

“Our mission has always been to prioritise family safety and online wellbeing. By partnering with Careline365, we’re taking proactive steps to ensure that vulnerable individuals and the elderly remain protected during this critical infrastructure change.”

Mark Law, Partnership Manager of Careline 365, said:

“As the digital transition continues at pace, expected to complete by January 2027, Careline365 is absolutely delighted to partner with a highly experienced broadband provider in Gigabit IQ to support service users with their network and pendant alarm setup, ensuring the elderly and vulnerable are well cared for.”

The integrated service packages itself is said to be available now and to ensure families, as well as caregivers, feel supported during the transition, Gigabit IQ and Careline365 will also be launching a Joint Education Programme across the UK. This programme will include a mix of:

• Online webinars led by digital and telecare experts
• In-person educational events where needed
• Accessible resources for local councils, housing associations, and family members

These sessions will offer guidance on what the digital switchover means, how to set up the new integrated services, and how to ensure continued support for vulnerable individuals.

Original article Total Telecom:Read More

(Image credit: Amazon)

News

The approvals bring Amazon’s planned constellation to 7,700 satellites

This week, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has given Amazon Leo the green light to launch a second tranche of low Earth orbit (LEO) communications satellites.

The approval will allow the company to launch 4,504 additional satellites, bringing the burgeoning constellation’s full complement to 7,727 devices.

Of the newly approved satellites, 3,212 are the more advanced Gen 2 satellites, while 1,292 are Gen 1 satellites aimed at expanding coverage to polar regions, including the northernmost parts of North America and Europe.

Under the approval, Amazon Leo must launch half of the approved satellites by February 10, 2032, and the remaining half by February 10, 2035.

Amazon Leo (previously known as Amazon’s Project Kuiper) has been in development since 2019, aiming to challenge meteoric rise of SpaceX’s Starlink.

Starlink already has around 9,000 satellites in orbit, and recently secured approval to increase this number to 15,000.

As such, Amazon Leo has a lot of catching up to do – a fact made more daunting by its slow deployment rate since it began launching satellites in April last year.

Amazon’s initial FCC clearance required the company to launch half of its 3,232 Gen 1 satellites by July 30, 2026; however, last month the company filed a request for an extension, citing launch vehicle limitations. Amazon is asking that the deadline be extended to July 2028 or even waived entirely.

Amazon Leo has currently launched just 180 of the 1,616 satellites required. (Thirty-two additional satellites are set to be sent into orbit later today, delivered by Arianespace’s latest Ariane 6 launch vehicle.)

Despite this, the company still reportedly aims to begin providing commercial services later this year.

In related news, this week maritime connectivity reseller MTN has announced it will be the first to offer the sector access to Amazon Leo.

According to MTN’s website, the company’s existing partnership with Starlink is ‘the core of [the company’s] strategy’, but it also notes other satellite partners including OneWeb an GEO (geostationary) satellite operators.

“But Starlink is only part of the solution. MTN combines LEO networks like Starlink and OneWeb with GEO satellites, wireless, and near-shore RF to deliver a hybrid model that consistently outperforms legacy connectivity.”

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The post FCC clears Amazon Leo to launch 4,500 more satellites appeared first on Total Telecom.

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Mobile operator O2 (Virgin Media) has today announced that they’ve switched-on their next-generation 5G Standalone (5GSA) mobile broadband network in the Greater Manchester area. The operator’s 5GSA network is now live across a total of more than 500 locations (70% of the UK’s population, or c.49 million people).

Just to recap. 5GSA networks are pure end-to-end 5G that can deliver ultra-low latency times, greater energy efficiency, better speeds (particularly uploads), network slicing, improved support for IoT devices, increased reliability and security etc. Existing 5G networks often use a Non-Standalone (NSA) approach, which is hobbled by being partly reliant upon older and slower 4G infrastructure.

O2’s 5GSA rollout first began in February 2024 (here) and usually aims to reach “at least 90% outdoor coverage” in every location they reach. The same should hold true for Manchester, where more than 589,000 residents across the city will be able to benefit from the 5GSA network. The rollout includes the city of Manchester and key towns across Greater Manchester, including Bolton, Wigan, Rochdale, Oldham and Bury.

Professor Robert Joyce, Director of Mobile Access Engineering at O2, said: “Our new 5G Standalone network is now live in Manchester and surrounding towns, providing an impressive upgrade for local people and businesses and creating new opportunities in and around the city. We are investing every single day to improve our mobile network and provide a more reliable experience for our customers, future-proofing our connectivity and paving the way for exciting innovations that lie ahead.”