Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

New customers looking to join one of Virgin Media’s broadband and TV bundles may like to know that the ISP has recently made some further hardware updates, which means that all TV packages now include a Hub 5 router (Flex ‘service’ is excluded). Previously, some bundles still included older routers, like the now somewhat dated Hub 3.

In addition, all TV packages should also now be coming with a Flex (Stream / Apollo) Box instead of the TV360 box, which is a continuation of the gradual phasing out of TV360 that we reported on again last month (here).

“All new TV customers will receive an Apollo box and a Hub 5 on all broadband tiers including M125. Flex is excluded,” confirmed a spokesperson for the provider to ISPreview. One downside of this approach is that the Stream/Apollo box (sometimes also called a ‘Flex Box’, but this confuses it with the ‘Flex service’) lacks a recording function in the UK. This isn’t quite as important in the modern on-demand world, but some people will miss the PVR feature.

Original article Total Telecom:Read More

News 

Industry leaders have called for governments to better protect subsea cables amid rising security threats 

A group of leading European telecoms and infrastructure providers has called on the EU, UK, and NATO to step up joint efforts to protect subsea cable infrastructure, warning of growing threats to systems critical for Europe’s connectivity and security. 

In a joint letter, signatories including GlobalConnect, Vodafone, Orange, Telecom Italia Sparkle, and Alcatel Submarine Networks emphasised the importance of a coordinated response to recent hybrid threats, including recent incidents in the Baltic and North Seas. 

The group stresses that subsea cables are vital to Europe’s “connectivity, competitiveness, defence readiness, and economic stability”, and call for increased collaboration between public authorities and industry stakeholders across borders. 

The letter backs the EU Action Plan on Cable Security, describing it as a “clear approach to further increase the resilience and security of subsea cables”. It also supports the European Commission’s intention to work with industry to define Critical Projects of European Interest (CPEIs) and deploy protection and surveillance technologies. 

“We welcome in particular the reference made to the instrumental aspect of the Connected Europe Facility (CEF),” the letter states, adding that “instruments of the UK authorities and of NATO could strengthen the momentum if coordinated effectively.” 

The group urges decision-makers to develop harmonised, risk-based security practices and to treat the entire subsea cable ecosystem as critical infrastructure. They also highlight the need for streamlined governance and permitting processes to accelerate action. 

Back in January, a Russian vessel used for gathering intelligence and mapping the UK’s critical underwater infrastructure, unexpectedly passed through British waters. The UK Defence Secretary John Healey called the incident “another example of growing Russian aggression”.  

 “I also want President Putin to hear this message: we see you, we know what you are doing, and we will not shy away from robust action to protect this country,” he said. 

However, many in the industry remain cautious about attributing recent cable outages to sabotage. Most damage, they point out, is still caused by accidents. Speaking to The Tech Capital Magazine, an executive at Ciena said that “a cable deliberately damaged and one damaged by accident is going to look the same when you drag it up to repair it and investigate.”   

“If the goal is to impact internet services in a rival country, cutting one subsea cable is unlikely to have much of an effect,” echoed Mike Conradi, co-chair of the international telecoms and digital infrastructure lead at global law firm DLA Piper.   

“To seriously impact a country like the UK, multiple cables would have to be cut simultaneously, at which point the action becomes less sabotage and a more overt attack. In this scenario, a higher-profile target would make more sense,” he continued. 

The letter closes with a clear message to European and transatlantic policymakers: “By acting now, we can safeguard the networks that underpin our shared future.” 

Join us at next year’s Submarine Networks, 27-28 May in London. Get discounted tickets here! 

Also in the news:
NOW Telecom’s mobile licence revoked after ‘grossly deficient’ infra rollout
Nokia, Telia, and Finnish military demo 5G network slicing across borders
Anatel approves expansion of Starlink satellite operations in Brazil

Original article Total Telecom:Read More

News

The regulator’s decision follows the operator’s abject failure to deploy mobile infrastructure after almost five years

This week, the Philippines regulator National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has denied NOW Telecom’s appeal to extend its mobile operating licence.

The regulator said that the operator had failed to meet numerous regulatory requirements attached to the licence, including minimal rollout targets and a sufficient use of assigned mobile spectrum.

“[Now Telecom’s] provisional authority to install, operate and maintain a nationwide mobile telecommunications system, offer services and to charge rates, with the clarification that said authority is not specific to 3G, is hereby deemed inoperative in view of its expiration/non-extension of its provisional authority,” said the NTC in a statement.

Founded as Satellite Paging Systems Philippines in 1992, NOW Telecom acquired a mobile network operating licence from the NTC in 2020, aiming to take on the de facto mobile duopoly of Globe and PLDT. As part of this licence agreement, NOW pledged to rollout 2,306 base stations across the country.

Five years on, however, the NTC says NOW has deployed just six base stations and still does not offer commercial services.

“After more than five years, the frequency band 3520-3540 MHz is used only in six out of 2,306 base stations (0.26 percent) or three out of 245 locations (1.22 percent),” read the NTC’s order.

In addition to this rollout failure, NOW also owes the regulator spectrum payments of over PHP 3.57 billion ($62 million), a figure that the operator contests.

NOW has 15 days to appeal to the decision, according to reports.

Keep up to date with the latest international telecoms news by subscribing to our newsletter 

Also in the news:
Harmeen Mehta Joins Equinix as Chief Digital and Innovation Officer to Accelerate Customer and Employee Experiences
Amazon could launch satellite broadband later this month
Millions of Brits have no home internet access, Ofcom warns

Original article Total Telecom:Read More

January – Trump on Telecoms

February – Cybersecurity

March – AI

April – Data centre

May – Sustainability 

June – Connected Vehicles

July – 5G evolution 

August – Satellite  

September – Connected Britain

October – Chips

November – Customer experience

December – roundup

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Researchers from the Universities of Bristol and Cambridge claim to have demonstrated the UK’s “first long-distance ultra-secure transfer of data over a quantum communications network” using “standard [single-mode] fibre optic infrastructure“. The test successfully transmitted a live quantum-secured video call over a distance of 410km (between Bristol and Cambridge).

Connections like this are extremely secure and intended to ensure that, should such a communication be intercepted along the way, the sender will be able to tell that the link has been tampered with, and the stolen photons cannot then be used as part of the key, thus rendering the data stream itself incomprehensible to a hacker.

The network itself harnessed two types of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) schemes: “unhackable” encryption keys hidden inside particles of light; and distributed entanglement: a phenomenon that causes quantum particles to be intrinsically linked. The network then used these to demonstrate a live video conference link, as well as the transfer of encrypted medical data, and secure remote access to a distributed data centre.

This is said to be the “first time” that a long-distance network, encompassing different quantum-secure technologies such as entanglement distribution, has been successfully demonstrated (we’ve seen networks working over much longer distances, but not with both of these methods).

The demonstration was carried out using the UK Quantum Network (UKQN), established over the last decade by the same team, supported by funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), and as part of the Quantum Communications Hub project. This covers two metropolitan quantum networks around Bristol and Cambridge, which are connected via a ‘backbone’ of four long-distance optical fibre links spanning 410km with three intermediate nodes.

Report co-author, Dr Rui Wang (University of Bristol), said:

“This is a crucial step toward building a quantum-secured future for our communities and society. More importantly, it lays the foundation for a large-scale quantum internet—connecting quantum nodes and devices through entanglement and teleportation on a global scale.”

Sadly, we don’t get any details about the speed of this data connection, which would have been interesting to know. But the work, which was also supported by Toshiba, BT, Adtran and Cisco, still marks a significant step forward and toward building a national scale quantum secured network.

The team now plan to pursue this work further through a newly funded EPSRC project, the Integrated Quantum Networks Hub, whose vision is to “establish quantum networks at all distance scales, from local networking of quantum processors to national-scale entanglement networks for quantum-safe communication, distributed computing and sensing, all the way to intercontinental networking via low-earth orbit satellites“.

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Mobile network operator O2 (Virgin Media) has today warned that they’re still seeing “significant inbound roaming traffic” on their legacy 2G and 3G networks in the UK. This comes ahead of their rapidly approaching plan to withdraw the service from 1st October 2025.

As most people will already know, O2 and other mobile operators are currently already in the process of switching off their older 2G and 3G mobile (mobile broadband) networks (here and here). O2’s move to withdraw 3G is due to reach completion by the end of 2025, while it will take several years to completely retire 2G as it remains necessary for various devices (e.g. Energy Smart Meters) and as a fallback in areas of poor 4G and 5G signals.

The change will free up radio spectrum so that it can be used to further improve the network coverage and mobile broadband speeds of more modern 4G and 5G networks, as well as future 6G services. The switch-off will also reduce the operators’ costs and power consumption.

As part of these changes, O2 last year revealed that they would also be withdrawing inbound roaming services from their 2G and 3G networks on 1st October 2025 (here). This reflects the service that allows users from other operators to access O2’s local network and services. But there’s always a risk that, in some limited areas and circumstances, this could contribute to localised problems with securing basic mobile / voice coverage.

However, despite O2’s earlier notification, the operator has today warned that they are “still seeing significant inbound roaming traffic” on their 2G and 3G networks. “If your organisation does not take action now to check all your connected devices, it could lead to the loss of any services,” said Paul O’Sullivan, Director of Wholesale Mobile at VMO2.

Paul O’Sullivan said:

“We’ve proactively reached out to business customers, trade groups, Government bodies, and key industries – ensuring they are informed and preparing accordingly. As part of this, we are working closely with the Telecare Services Association (TSA), Ofcom and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) to equip the telecare industry and critical national infrastructure providers with clear information on what they need to do now. Many telecare providers have already migrated to 4G devices, and the TSA is helping us identify the other SIMs that are yet to migrate.

We also contacted key roaming partners, the international providers whose customers indirectly roam on our network. Letters have been sent to trade organisations to help spread the word, and we’ve engaged in discussions with Government and Ofcom to share our plans and the support that we’re providing to our customers and the companies who use our network.

Despite these efforts, we are still seeing significant inbound roaming traffic on our 2G and 3G networks. Many organisations may already have established migration plans, with ambitions to activate them closer to October. But, for those that haven’t, it’s crucial to act now.

Only other network operators can facilitate roaming on our network – which by definition means anyone doing so isn’t our customer. This creates enormous barriers to us identifying and contacting the specific organisations or devices still relying on these networks. That’s why we’re urging all organisations – whether you’re a Virgin Media O2 customer or not – to check your connectivity solutions and devices by speaking to your provider.”

The situation could become awkward for O2 if they reach the deadline and find that the level of inbound roaming traffic is still “significant“, although at this stage there’s no indication of a delay being planned.

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Business internet and managed service provider MLL Telecom has announced that they’ve been awarded a place on the latest YPO (The Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation) public sector procurement service. The decision gives them a place on six LOTS for the new framework.

The Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation (YPO) is a publicly owned central purchasing body based in Wakefield, which is owned and governed by a consortium of county, metropolitan and borough councils in Yorkshire and the North West of England. It exists to help the public sector achieve the best possible value when buying products and services.

The nationwide YPO 1229 Network Connectivity and Telecommunications Solutions 2 Framework includes network connectivity, smart city and IoT technologies, cyber security solutions, communication services and mobile, voice and data services. It is focused on supplying Schools, Colleges and Universities, in addition to all major Local Government departments including Social Services, Catering, Transport, Highways, Building Services, Admin and Waste Management, and the Emergency Service Authorities.

The YPO 1229 Framework is focused on technologies that are currently available and those which will evolve through the lifetime of the Framework, which is for two years (18 March 2025 – 17 March 2027) with the potential of offering two further consecutive extensions of 12 months each. MLL has been included on six of the seven LOTS available (there’s a maximum of just 20 supplier places available per LOT).

Stuart Wallis, MLL’s Chief Commercial Officer, said:

“YPO’s streamlined highly accredited framework offers a very straightforward and secure procurement process for our public sector customers, including Local Authorities, Councils, Schools, Social Housing providers and the Emergency Services Authorities. The Direct Award facility will prove very popular with those customers looking to seamlessly extend existing network services contracts or to add on new services.

Apart from underscoring our public sector focused network solutions capability and technical prowess, the YPO award also further demonstrates MLL’s strong underlying quality processes and commitment to service, security, safety, compliance, sustainability and social value.”

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

The LSBUD (Line Search Before You Dig) organisation, which offers an online asset search facility to UK civil engineering firms for underground pipes and cables, has said that Northern Ireland’s underground pipes and cables will be “safer than ever before” after Virgin Media (O2) and Mutual Energy joined their platform.

The operators both just became the first members of LSBUD’s platform in Northern Ireland, which is said to be “helping to protect UK infrastructure, workers, and the public from avoidable utility strikes” (i.e. damage to infrastructure, not union activity). At present more than 12,000 kilometres of underground assets are registered on LSBUD across NI.

By registering, these founding Members can now provide detailed asset maps to anyone looking to take on an excavation project, which should help to protect both their own networks and those doing the digging.

Richard Broome, Managing Director of LSBUD, said:

“We’re so pleased to be welcoming the first Members in Northern Ireland to our growing network. With existing Members and Users pushing for us to expand our services into Northern Ireland, following the success our service has had in the UK, the move marks a major milestone for the safe digging community.

We would like to thank our founding Members Mutual Energy and VMO2 for being so proactive in their pursuit of safety. The impact of a strike can have serious ramifications, from expensive repairs and disrupted services through to reputational damage and risk to life. By joining our established service, not only are they protecting their assets from costly damage, but also keeping those people digging around them safe. Safe digging is for all.”

But this approach does appear to compete a bit with the UK Government’s ongoing development of a National Underground Asset Register (NUAR) for England, Northern Ireland and Wales, which represents a new digital map of underground pipes and cables (broadband, power, water etc.) – also intended to help reduce accidental damage.

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

UK ISP BT (EE) appears to be set to make an important change to their line-up of low-cost home broadband social tariffs – available to those on state benefits (Home Essentials). The headline change is the provider’s move to scrap their special 36Mbps (average speed) £15 per month “fibre” plan for those with “no income” on 1st May 2025. But other plans remain.

The Home Essentials plans reflect “fibre” (FTTC/P) and call bundles that are usually only available to those receiving Universal Credit (and certain legacy benefits). The plans included unlimited data, the ability to cancel anytime without penalty and speeds of 36Mbps (dropping back to 16Mbps in ADSL-only areas) or 67Mbps for just £15-£20 or £23 per month respectively. A Call Only (no broadband) plan also existed for £10 per month.

Crucially, the 36Mbps package was normally priced at £20 per month, but a special “Home Essentials No Income” option also existed (see old T&Cs) that reduced the price to just £15 per month and added unlimited anytime UK calls. This was available to those who receive Universal Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and “not receive any income from any paid employment and not have anyone else in their household receiving any income from any paid employment.”

However, BT recently released new T&Cs for their Home Essentials plans (credits to Thinkbroadband for spotting), which will apply to “customers joining from 2nd May 2025, and to Home Essentials customers that joined before 2nd May 2025 (except customers that are in-contract for their previous Home Essentials plan).”

The changes reflect a small +£1 price increase for two of their plans and the removal of their “No Income” option. The only £15 option left is the one intended for those in ADSL-only areas (i.e. people with no FTTC/P “fibre” services). But the original packages are currently still available until May 2025, so now might be a good time to lock in your chosen package for the next 12-month period.

Revised BT Home Essentials Plans

Home Essentials Unlimited Broadband*
Average downloads of 16Mbps
Unlimited anytime calls to UK mobiles and 01,02, 03, 0845 and 0870 numbers excluding Channel Islands
£15 per month

* This plan will “only be available where fibre broadband is unavailable“.

Home Essentials Fibre Essential plan
Average downloads of 36Mbps
£21 per month

Home Essentials Fibre 2 plan
Average downloads of 67Mbps
£24 per month

Home Essentials Call Only plan
Unlimited anytime calls to UK mobiles and 01,02, 03, 0845 and 0870 numbers excluding Channel Islands
£10 per month

NOTE: Customers who take BT’s broadband-only Home Essentials plans can optionally still add Pay As You Go (PAYG) calling from an extra £2 per month or £10 if you want unlimited anytime UK calls.

In practice, this means that those on the No Income plan in a “fibre” area will eventually have to shift to BT’s £21 package, which is quite a steep price increase (or hunt out another ISP). The provider had previously also made a bit of a song and dance about how their social tariffs would not be increasing in price when they confirmed their latest round of annual hikes in January 2025 (here), but clearly their earlier statement wasn’t entirely accurate.

Finally, a quick reminder. We know social tariffs can be a divisive topic for some, but that is not an excuse to abuse the comment system in order to post offensive remarks toward those who take state benefits. Such posts are against our rules and will be removed.

Original article ISPreview UK:Read More

Infracapital-backed broadband operator and UK ISP Fibrus, which is building a full fibre (FTTP) network across rural parts of Cumbria (England) and Northern Ireland, has this week re-launched their Community Fund for 2025 with a pot of £120,000 to invest across a variety of rural community groups within the operator’s network patch.

So far Fibrus have already allocated £175,000 to local groups across Northern Ireland and £120,000 to 68 local groups across Cumbria – all since 2021. But this week’s announcement means they’ll be continuing this sponsorship throughout 2025 with more funding and a “focus on addressing digital poverty and fostering inclusivity within rural communities.” The grants are worth up to £2,000 for each organisation selected.

The operator’s network currently reaches over 400,000 UK premises and has connected 100,000 customers.

Linda McMillan, Chief People Officer at Fibrus, said:

“The local community is at the heart of everything we do at Fibrus, from our day-to-day work to our sponsorships and community engagement. The Fibrus Community Fund 2025 will see another £60,000 go to deserving clubs and organisations, helping us bridge the gap in becoming a fully digital inclusive society.

We are delighted to bring Full Fibre broadband to areas that have been notoriously hard to reach and are extremely proud to continue working with Community Foundation NI to expand our rural community’s digital literacy and connectivity through this fund.”

If you are part of, or know of, a club or organisation that could benefit from funding, the next round of the Fibrus Community Fund is now open and will close on Friday, 9 May.

Learn more about the Community Fund Northern Ireland here.

Learn more about the Community Fund Cumbria here.