Original article Total Telecom:Read More
At Connected America this year, we caught up with Brooke Donilon, Vice President of Government relations at the NCTA – The Internet & Television Association to discuss unlicensed spectrum and how it can benefit consumers and businesses, spectrum policy in the US, competition with China and much more. Check out the full interview below!
Original article Total Telecom:Read More
A satellite developed and built in the UK is set to become the first in the world to measure the structure and condition of Earth’s forests in 3D from space.
Known as Biomass, the satellite will use radar technology to map tropical forests over a five-year period, helping scientists understand how carbon is stored and released by forest ecosystems.
Current satellites can only measure the tops of forest canopies. Biomass, using long-wavelength P-band radar, will be able to penetrate cloud cover and foliage to estimate the amount of carbon stored in trees more accurately than any existing satellite.
The data is expected to support climate change research, inform policy decisions, and contribute to long-term net-zero strategies.
The mission was proposed by professors at the University of Sheffield and has been built by Airbus Defence and Space in Stevenage. It will launch from Europe’s spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, later this month.
Since 2016, UK organisations have secured nearly €91 million in contracts related to the Biomass mission through ESA membership. The mission has involved more than 50 companies across 20 countries, with the UK playing a leading role in design, assembly, and testing.
“The UK is back in the business of climate leadership and protecting the world’s forests through emerging and cutting-edge technologies is crucial to tackling the climate crisis,” said UK Climate Minister Kerry McCarthy.
Also in the news:
Virgin Media O2 to continue 3G switch off in Norwich, Telford, Guildford and Torquay
Amazon reassesses data centre expansion
Investing in the North: How Virgin Media O2 is powering a more connected, inclusive future
Original article ISPreview UK:Read More
Rural-focused ISP Quickline, which is deploying their own gigabit-capable full fibre (FTTP) and fixed wireless access (FWA) broadband networks across rural parts of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire in England, this week said they were “proud to say our customers don’t have to worry about unfair [price hikes]” after continuing their price freeze.
The announcement, which was celebrated by the handing out of free ice cream in several of their recently covered communities (Isle of Axholme, Belton and Westwoodside), means that Quickline has once again frozen their prices for all 24-month contracts (no mid-contract hikes).
A total of 400 ice creams were handed out to residents in rural Lincolnshire during the PR stunt. James McAra of Quickline said: “Unlike other providers, we’re committed to keeping our prices the same for our customers for the full duration of their contract. We thought it would be a really nice way to celebrate this by handing out free ice creams, especially with a bit of sun shining.”
Original article ISPreview UK:Read More
Telecoms and broadband giant BT Group, which is primarily focused upon and based in the United Kingdom, has continued efforts to reduce their international operations this week by announcing a “preliminary” agreement to sell their sometimes troubled Italian business (BT Italia S.p.A) to Retelit for an undisclosed sum.
The unit being sold, which focused on business-to-business services, generated revenues of approximately €160m (£136m) in 2024. The deal is expected to “significantly enhance” Retelit’s fibre optic network by an additional 11,500km, resulting in a total network span exceeding 47,000km. It will also expand Retelit’s national data centre infrastructure by an additional 10MW of power capacity.
In recent years BT has scaled back its operations in Italy, which in 2017 suffered an accounting scandal (a court recently cleared BT Italia itself of wrongdoing, but convicted eight employees). It sold off some parts of the business to former national monopoly Telecom Italia (TIM) in 2021 and has previously done other deals with Retelit, which arguably laid some of the groundwork for this week’s announcement.
Back in 2023 BT also cut a significant amount of jobs from its Italian business, and we suspect BT Group’s CEO, Allison Kirkby, will be pleased to see the back of it.
Retelit Statement
This expansion will further strengthen Retelit’s coverage of the Italian corporate market, providing a more comprehensive suite of ICT infrastructure and services to support the innovation and the digital transformation of Italian enterprises.
The over 360 existing domestic business clients of BT in Italy transitioning to Retelit will benefit from a dynamic, B2B-focused organization that consistently invests in its assets, technology platforms, expertise, and service quality. Retelit possesses a proprietary infrastructure platform integrating network, data centers, and cloud capabilities, which currently stands as one of the most complete in Italy.
The agreement is still subject to approval by the relevant authorities. The announcement follows shortly after BT Group announced the acquisition of their Irish wholesale and enterprise business unit – ‘BT Communications Ireland Ltd.‘ (BTCIL) – by the Speed Fibre Group (here).
Original article ISPreview UK:Read More
Mobile operator O2 (Virgin Media) has today informed us that customers of their various Airtime plans can now take ‘Xbox Game Pass Ultimate’ for £14.99 per month and get a £1 airtime saving – offering access to hundreds of games with an annual saving of £12.
Game Pass Ultimate is now one of several subscriptions O2 customers can enjoy through O2 Extras via the MyO2 App. Those joining O2 or upgrading to a new plan can also choose Game Pass Ultimate as a paid Extra when completing their order online, in store or over the phone. The charge will then appear in their monthly bill from O2.
Game Pass Ultimate is the newest subscription service to join O2 Extra’s catalogue of options that also includes Disney+ from £4.99 per month, Prime for £8.99 per month (comes with a £2 discount), Cafeyn for £7.99 per month, McAfee Mobile Security Plus for £4.99 per month or McAfee Mobile Security Standard for £1.00 per month. O2 Extras appear on a customer’s monthly bill alongside their Airtime.
Original article ISPreview UK:Read More
Digital infrastructure firm Boldyn Networks, which is perhaps best known for helping to build a number of open access UK mobile and fibre networks, has been picked by Kingston Council (Kingston upon Thames) in London to build a new 10km long fibre (broadband, Ethernet etc.) network in the royal borough. Virgin Media’s business division will also be involved.
Work to install the new network, which is being conducted in partnership with Transport for London (TfL) and the Greater London Authority (GLA), is starting this month. The aim is to improve internet access for both local businesses, visitors, and residents around the town centre (including Surbiton), as well as services such as the borough’s CCTV system (58 locations).
The links will connect to the council’s main CCTV office site at Kingswood Business Park, which plays a crucial role in supporting public safety. A total of 12 connections will be delivered by Virgin Media (VMO2 Business), while 46 will be implemented by Boldyn Networks.
The project is funded through the GLA’s Strategic Investment Fund, allowing TfL and Boldyn Networks to deliver full fibre connectivity upgrades in London boroughs.
Paul Osborne, CCO for the UK & Ireland at Boldyn Networks, said:
“Delivering seamless connectivity through full fibre access to the London Boroughs is a major focus of what we do across the city. Our work with the Kingston Council is integral to our vision of creating an interconnected future where local communities and businesses are safer and can thrive.”
Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor of London for Business and Growth, said:
“In a world where access to reliable high speed digital connectivity is increasingly important, the Mayor and I are committed to ensuring that all Londoners and visitors are connected across the whole of the capital. Kingston and Surbiton are important growth hubs for business and leisure, as well as town centres for residents – so this new partnership will deliver significant improvements for local people, tourists and businesses.”
The new project is expected to be completed by February 2026. Boldyn Networks will work closely with the council to minimise disruption and ensure smooth implementation.
Original article ISPreview UK:Read More
The UK government has today confirmed its intent to ban SIM Farms (both possession and supply) some 6 months after the new Crime and Policing Bill (CPB) receives Royal Assent. The move is designed to better protect the public from fraudsters and scammers who also use the devices for criminal purposes (e.g. sending scam/spam messages and calls to mobile users).
Just for some context. SIM farms are electronic devices that are capable of using five or more SIM cards simultaneously or interchangeably, and which allows the user to send Short Messaging Service (SMS) texts or phone calls in large numbers over the telecommunications (mobile) network. Such “farms” can have legitimate uses too, but they’re frequently used by criminals engaged in fraud (e.g. sending phishing scam/messages that are designed to steal personal or financial data).
The plan was actually first proposed as part of the previous government’s Criminal Justice Bill (CJB), although this was disrupted by the 2024 General Election and the same measure now comes under the CPB. The previous CJB also included other new powers, such as one that can force Regional Internet Registries, Local Internet Registries or even broadband ISPs to suspend internet domain names and IP addresses used for criminal purposes.
Fraud Minister, Lord Hanson, said:
“Fraud devastates lives, and I am determined to take the decisive action necessary to protect the public from these shameful criminals.
Two-thirds of British adults say they’ve received a suspicious message on their phone – equivalent to more than 35 million people – which is why cracking down on SIM farms is so vital to protecting the public.
This marks a leap forward in our fight against fraud and will provide law enforcement and industry partners the clarity they need to protect the public from this shameful crime. This government will continue to take robust action to protect the public from fraud and deliver security and resilience through the Plan for Change.”
The new offence will make the possession or supply of SIM farms without a legitimate reason illegal and carries an “unlimited fine” in England and Wales, albeit oddly falling to a £5,000 fine in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The move should complement action being taken by Ofcom, which has long been working with broadband, phone and mobile operators to tackle both domestic and international sources of spam and scam calls/texts. But delivering effective enforcement of such activity may be much harder, particularly when it occurs outside the UK.
Original article Total Telecom:Read More
Financial details of the deal have not been disclosed, but the unit sold generated revenues of approximately €160 million in 2024.
The “expansion will further strengthen Retelit’s coverage of the Italian corporate market, providing a more comprehensive suite of ICT infrastructure and services to support the innovation and the digital transformation of Italian enterprises,” said Retelit in a press release.
Speaking to the Financial Times, Karen Egan, Head of telecoms at Enders Analysis, explained that the unit has been “quite a thorn in the side of BT over the years” and that Kirkby “will be very pleased to have a deal done to sell it”.
BT CEO Allison Kirkby is focussing BT’s attention on the UK market in an attempt to cut costs.
Last May, the company said it had hit its target to save £3 billion by 2025 a year early, with much of this total being driven by the company’s ongoing job cutting programme that will see 55,000 jobs eliminated by the end of the decade.
Kirkby now says it will aim to repeat this, cutting a further £3 billion in costs by 2029.
In addition, the latest UK budget posed new hurdles for BT. The government’s decision to hike employers’ National Insurance contributions could cost BT an additional £100 million annually. In response, CEO Allison Kirkby outlined several measures to mitigate this impact, including potentially passing costs on to mobile and broadband customers. She also said that cost-cutting initiatives through automation and AI would be accelerated.
Also in the news:
Virgin Media O2 to continue 3G switch off in Norwich, Telford, Guildford and Torquay
Amazon reassesses data centre expansion
Investing in the North: How Virgin Media O2 is powering a more connected, inclusive future
Original article Total Telecom:Read More
Photo: Ericsson. (From left to right: IDA Ireland, CEO, Michael Lohan; Ericsson President and CEO, Börje Ekholm; Ireland’s Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Peter Burke, TD; Head of BA Cloud Software and Services, Ericsson, Jenny Lindqvist; Head of Ericsson Athlone, Denis Dullea.)
The project, launched at the company’s Athlone facility, will be spread over the next three years, and is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland (the country’s foreign direct investment agency. It will fund research and development focused on making mobile networks more open, efficient, and easier to manage, especially in the context of 5G Standalone (SA) rollout.
The project centres around Ericsson’s Intelligent Automation Platform (EIAP), a system that helps operators manage and automate 4G and 5G radio access networks (RAN), even when equipment from multiple vendors is involved. The work being done in Athlone will also support the development of ‘rApps’, software applications that help automate and optimise how mobile networks run.
Ireland’s Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Peter Burke, says that the investment is “fantastic news”.
“Their innovative R&D project, which will span a duration of three years, will improve efficiency in 5G networks globally. Ericsson have been established in Ireland for decades, with the Athlone facility a significant employer and an integral part of the fabric of the community for over 50 years. It is really encouraging that Ericsson have once again cemented Athlone as key base for the company, selecting the campus and the staff based here to lead this pioneering work,” he continued.
”Ericsson’s ambitious programme is strongly aligned with the key growth drivers of IDA Ireland’s new strategy – Adapt Intelligently: A Strategy for Sustained Growth and Innovation. The investment strengthens the long-term legacy of Ericsson in Ireland, building on the success of past investments spanning more than 60 years. This RD&I project embodies cutting-edge innovation, exemplifies IDA’s continued commitment to balanced regional development. I wish Ericsson every success with this project and assure them of IDA Ireland’s continued partnership,” echoed Michael Lohan, CEO of IDA in a press release.
Also in the news:
Virgin Media O2 to continue 3G switch off in Norwich, Telford, Guildford and Torquay
Amazon reassesses data centre expansion
Investing in the North: How Virgin Media O2 is powering a more connected, inclusive future
Original article Total Telecom:Read More
By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities
Days after the CEO of Louisiana-based SkyRider Communications penned an open letter to Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick pleading for BEAD to move forward, another Louisiana CEO has voiced a similar call.
In a new letter given to Broadband Communities today, David Herring, the founder and CEO of ClearPath Fiber, said the financial risk to his company is growing “each day federal guidance is delayed or revised.”
Now, Herring says ClearPath “can’t continue this work.”
Click here to read Herring’s full letter to Lutnick
“Not because we aren’t ready,” he writes in the letter, dated April 23, “but because delays and uncertainty are costing us everything.”
According to Broadband Breakfast, ClearPath was awarded over $34.5 million in Louisiana’s BEAD subgrantee selection.
The money will fund ClearPath’s efforts to reach well over 7,300 broadband serviceable locations, the data shows.
Herring’s letter describes ClearPath as “a small, mission-driven startup.”
“We took bold risks, built infrastructure from the ground up, and partnered with manufacturers, contractors, and engineers to serve rural and underserved Americans,” Herring writes.
According to Herring, once confident investors are now backing away due to the delays with BEAD, the nation’s massive $42.45 billion effort to deploy broadband to all Americans as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021.
Howard Lutnick (centre) stands with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance in Feb. 2025. YouTube screenshot
The program, which stands for Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment, has been subject of an ongoing review by Lutnick.
Herring writes that every day of uncertainty is costing jobs.
“We believed in this country’s future and in your administration’s promises to put Americans to work,” the letter reads. “Based on those commitments, we’ve invested real money, secured local support, and laid the groundwork for transformative broadband deployment.”
“Now, we are watching that progress stall,” Herring writes.
Herring also urges Lutnick to recognise “what’s happening on the ground in Louisiana.”
“Our state has done everything right,” he says, adding that Louisiana has adopted a tech-neutral approach that does not involve DEI policies.
Herring goes on to say that Louisiana is ready.
“Not next year. Not after another round of revisions. We can be in the ground next week,” he writes. “So why are we being held back?”
The letter concludes with Herring urging Lutnick to stop delaying BEAD.
Herring also calls on Lutnick to “reaffirm fiber as the foundation of our national broadband strategy” and “support Louisiana’s readiness to lead.”
“Let Louisiana move forward,” he says. “Let us lead the way — the right way, right now. Because there’s no benefit in holding back those who are ready, willing, and able.”
Notably, Louisiana has been a leader in the BEAD Program.
In 2024, Louisiana became the first to award BEAD funds, through a state program called GUMBO 2.0 (Granting Unserved Municipalities Broadband Opportunities).
It was also the first state to gain approval for their initial BEAD proposal.
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