Hull-based phone and broadband ISP KCOM, which have deployed a full fibre (FTTP) network across 305,000 premises in parts of East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire (England), has taken the decision to close a tiny “community library” in Skidby, that was set up during 2020 inside the village phone box, because it posed a “serious fire risk“.

KCOM, not unlike BT, are known to have converted or helped to convert a number of their classic cream-coloured K6 phone boxes to mini-libraries. In practice, this just amounted to stacking some books up inside the box, which local residents could then take out and replace at their leisure. But some of those conversions took place inside phone boxes that were no longer carrying an active phone service.

However, the phone box in the village of Skidby now includes an additional sign, which asks disappointed residents not to put books inside as they “pose a series fire risk“. A spokesperson for KCOM told the BBC News that, as the box is still providing an active service, they are “regulatory obliged by Ofcom to make sure it is in working order in case anyone needs to make a call, including in 999 emergencies.”

The operator added that they were “keen to work with the local community to see if there are other solutions to creating a book space,” you know, like an actual library, back when we used to have those.

Broadband ISP Sky Business (Sky UK) has announced a new multi-year agreement with Caffè Nero, the premium coffee house group, which will see them upgrade the digital infrastructure of 787 stores in The Caffè Nero Group (about 90% of their estate) across the United Kingdom.

The deal is expected to introduce “next-generation connectivity solutions” to the stores, ensuring secure, high-speed connectivity for both customers and employees. This investment is said to enable frictionless transactions, enhanced public WiFi, and a scalable network supported by a resilient, end-to-end failover solution.

Damian Saunders, MD of Sky Business, said: “At Sky Business, we’re relentless in delivering cutting-edge, fully managed solutions for Caffè Nero. Their continued trust over the past decade is a testament to our innovation and reliability. This expanded partnership reinforces our commitment to powering exceptional digital experiences for their customers and employees.”

Network operator nexfibre and supporting retail broadband ISP partner Virgin Media (O2), which share some of the same parentage, have today announced that they’ve expanded the reach of their symmetric 2Gbps speed capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network to more than 6,000 homes in the Falconwood area of South East London for the first time.

The area is currently already well covered by Openreach’s and CommunityFibre’s gigabit-capable FTTP broadband networks, not to mention some smaller deployments by Hyperoptic. But there should still be enough room in the local market for Virgin Media’s network, even if they are arriving a bit late to the party.

Nexfibre itself has already covered over 2 million premises across the UK with their new full fibre network (here) and many more will follow. Just for some context. Telefónica, Liberty Global and InfraVia Capital Partners originally set up their new £4.5bn nexfibre joint venture in 2022 (here), which aims to deploy an open access fibre network to reach “up to” 7 million UK homes (starting with 5m by 2026) in areas NOT currently served by Virgin Media’s network of 16m+ premises. The funding reflects £3.3bn of fully underwritten financing and up to £1.4bn in equity commitments.

Most of the major broadband ISPs in the United Kingdom (BT, Sky Broadband, Virgin Media, TalkTalk, EE and Plusnet) have just been handed a new court order to block an Israel TV video streaming site, which was found to have been facilitating internet copyright infringement (piracy).

At present such blocking orders, which in the UK flow from Section 97A of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act (CDPA), aren’t cheap to bring but have over the past 15 years or so become very common. Hundreds of websites have been blocked through this approach (thousands if you include their associated proxies and mirrors), which usually include illegal file sharing (P2P / Torrent), streaming sites, Sci-Hub and those that sell counterfeit goods etc.

In this case, the UK and international law firm, Penningtons Manches Cooper, which was acting on behalf of United King Film Distribution (1990) Limited, Keshet Broadcasting Limited, Hot Telecommunications Systems Limited and Reshet Media Limited, were successful in securing a blocking injunction against the providers.

The injunction itself, which was granted by Richard Smith J, targets an unlicensed website called Israel TV (inc. including various associated domains) that had been live-streaming, as well as offering a large unlicensed collection of recorded content, the claimants’ broadcasts and content without their permission.

The judgement itself was handed down after a hearing on 23rd January 2025 and the ISPs have since introduced the new block. Such restrictions don’t always stop the targeted websites, and indeed they may even help to advertise their existence. Naturally, those who actively engage in internet piracy will no doubt still be able to circumvent the restrictions by using all sorts of different approaches.

Aberdeen-based UK broadband and I.T solutions provider Internet for Business (IFB), which was first established all the way back in 1995, has been acquired by Converged Communication Solutions (CCS) for an undisclosed sum and after briefly falling into administration on 19th February 2025.

According to company records on The Gazette, IFB appointed Michael James Meston Reid (IP No 7327), of MHA, to act as their administrator (credits to one of our readers, Chris, for spotting this). The same records indicate that IFB’s company accounts remain overdue (since 30th June 2024) and they previously received a first gazette notice for compulsory strike-off toward the end of August 2024, although this was discontinued a few days later.

Suffice to say that the company, which seemed to have been in some difficulty and was struggling to make a profit, needed to find a buyer to help preserve the business and its 15 employees. The good news is fellow Scottish ISP CCS appears to have been quickly able to step into that role in what seems to be a pre-packed arrangement (this was formally signed on 20th February).

Neil Christie, CTO of Converged Communication Solutions, said:

“This acquisition is a natural fit, uniting two local businesses with a shared passion for using digital technology to drive business success. IFB’s expertise in providing connectivity solutions perfectly complements our enhanced business offering, meaning customers will benefit from an even greater range of services. Additionally, this move expands our market share and brings our combined turnover closer to £10 million. We are delighted to welcome the IFB team into the Converged family and look forward to delivering the same high-quality services our customers expect.”

Graeme Gordon, CEO of IFB, said:

“Co-founded by Chairman, John Michie, IFB has been at the forefront of delivering innovative connectivity and IT solutions to businesses for nearly three decades. Joining forces with Converged allows us to take our service offering to the next level, giving our customers access to an even broader portfolio of solutions. In addition, Converged shares our values of reliability, security, and customer focus, making this an excellent match for our future. Joining the Converged Group of companies is a great outcome for IFB, our team, and, most importantly, our customers, who can be reassured that it is business as usual.”

The two entrepreneurs enjoy a long-standing relationship, with Neil having started his career at IFB before founding Converged 20 years ago. All 15 IFB employees will now join Converged, with the entire team relocating to Spires Business Centre, alongside Converged’s HQ. The collaborative move should ensure continuity of service and centralise the company’s talent pool, bringing the Group’s headcount to 63.

The deal marks CCS’ third acquisition in two years.

A new study from the cross-industry UK Spectrum Policy Forum (UKSPF), which was conducted by Smith Institute and Spectrivity, has recommended that the telecoms regulator, Ofcom, should adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies to help manage the nation’s finite wireless radio spectrum more efficiently.

The think-tank highlights how mobile networks, smart devices, and emerging technologies, like 6G based mobile broadband, are pushing current spectrum management strategies to their limits and that more innovation is needed to “prevent congestion” and maximise efficiency. “Traditional spectrum management methods often struggle to adapt to the dynamic needs of modern wireless networks, leading to inefficient use of valuable spectrum resources,” said the UKSPF.

According to the UKSPF, AI technologies could be used to “revolutionise spectrum management” by “optimising resource usage, reducing interference, and enhancing network performance“. This would come from leveraging data-driven decision-making and using AI to “dynamically assign spectrum based on real-time demand“. Some previous attempts to do the latter have had mixed success.

UKSPF – Key Recommendations

➤ AI for licensing applications: Large Language Models (LLMs) and predictive machine learning could be employed to streamline application reviews and assess potential interference risks, reducing manual workload and improving decision-making efficiency.

➤ AI for monitoring and compliance: AI-driven sensor placement and proactive monitoring could enable a shift from reactive to predictive compliance enforcement, ensuring better adherence to licensing terms.

➤ AI for spectrum sharing and interference management: Advanced machine learning models, including deep reinforcement learning, could enhance spectrum sharing strategies, minimising interference and optimising resource allocation.

➤ Synthetic data and international insights: AI could generate synthetic datasets based on international proxy data, addressing gaps in UK-specific information and improving predictive accuracy.

➤ Simulations and digital twin development: The study advocates for the creation of realistic RF environment simulations and, in the long term, a comprehensive digital twin to test and refine new policies and technologies before real-world implementation.

Matthew Evans, Director of Markets and Chief Operating Officer at techUK, said:

“The UK has the opportunity to drive a new wave of spectrum management. By embracing AI, regulators can improve flexibility, ensure efficient spectrum utilisation, and support the continued expansion of wireless technologies that power our digital economy.

This report gives clear guidelines to regulators and industry on how they can use AI-driven solutions to drive efficiency for the telecommunications sector.”

At the time of writing, the full report hadn’t yet been published (it should be by the time you read this), although we’d agree with the broad thrust that there is potential here for AI to help enhance UK spectrum management and regulatory oversight. At the very least this is something that Ofcom should explore and trial, before deciding upon whether the pros outweigh the cons.

News 

Deutsche Telekom has published its 2024 financial results, reporting a strong performance that exceeded expectations and setting ambitious targets for this financial year 

The company’s total revenue grew by 3.4% to €115.8 billion, while service revenues saw a 3.9% increase to €96.5 billion. Adjusted EBITDA rose by 6.2% to €43 billion, and free cash flow climbed by 18.7% to €19.2 billion, reflecting the company’s strong operational performance. 

CEO Tim Höttges described 2024 as “another record year” for the company.  

“We are growing across all business areas. Our flywheel, at the centre of our strategy, is spinning and generating the momentum we need to keep building on the successes of 2024 in 2025,” he said in a press release. 

The company anticipates adjusted EBITDA to reach approximately €44.9 billion in 2025, with free cash flow expected to grow to around €19.9 billion.   

Shareholders are set to benefit from this strong performance, with Deutsche Telekom proposing a record dividend of €0.90 per share, the highest in its history, pending approval.  

The company’s performance was bolstered by strong growth in key markets. In Germany, the company experienced increased adoption of its fibre network, with 472,000 new customers added in the previous year, bringing the total customer base to 1.5 million.. Mobile revenue also increased in Q4 by 2.1% year-on-year. 

T-Mobile US also contributed significantly, adding 6.1 million postpaid customers and increasing service revenues by 4.5% to $66.1 billion.  

In related news, Deutsche Telekom this week announced a partnership with Google Cloud to develop an AI-powered network agent to boost Radio Access Network (RAN) operations. Built using Gemini 2.0 in Google Cloud’s Vertex AI, the AI agent analyses network behaviour, detects performance issues, and takes corrective actions to improve reliability and reduce costs. 

“Traditional approaches to network management are no longer sufficient to meet the demands of 5G and beyond,” said Abdu Mudesir, Group CTO of DT in a press release. 

 The RAN Guardian, tested by Deutsche Telekom, uses AI to detect issues and implement self-healing measures to optimise performance, to be able to manage real time network challenges. 

The agent will be presented at next week’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. 

Keep up to date with the latest international telecoms news direct to your inbox with our newsletter 

Also in the news:
AIS’s 5G speed boost service hits 180,000 users, points to new growth model
Telefónica sells Argentinian unit to Telecom Argentina for $1.25 bn
EU approves €227 million for Austrian semiconductor plant 

Podcasts

On this episode, we discuss strategy and the mission to win hearts and minds on behalf of rural broadband

Charles Thomas, the Chief Strategy Officer for Rural Broadband Partners (RBP), says he tells ISPs in rural areas not to view themselves as rural providers.

Instead, he asks them to look at urban providers and to examine the resources those entities have. “You want to build that into your location,” he says.

According to Thomas, who will be speaking at Connected America next month, that might mean employing IoT technologies or entering into public/private partnerships.

While the battle to win hearts and minds for rural broadband continues, Thomas says rural providers often face a shortage of resources.

He elaborated, saying it could be a shortage of financial resources, equipment resources, people resources, or knowledge resources that is holding some rural ISPs back.

Thomas said helping ISPs to retain people resources in rural areas is probably the largest obstacle he faces.

“It’s a big challenge,” he said, adding it’s important to create an environment of continued learning.

He also said it’s important to have workers that are excited about the role they’re play in connecting communities.

“It really is life changing for people,” he said. “When people see that, it’s exciting for them.”

Meanwhile, Thomas said rural ISPs also have to maintain a mindset of growth for the future.

To hear the full Beyond the Cable episode featuring Thomas on Spotify, click here.

Click here to listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts.

News 

Meta has entered into discussions to build a number of major data centres for its AI projects, an article from The Information has revealed, citing people familiar with the matter 

According to the article, senior meta executives have already toured potential data centre sites, with campuses in Louisiana, Wyoming, or Texas being considered. Costs are expected to be over $200 billion, according to the sources. 

However, a Meta spokesperson has denied the report, calling it “pure speculation” and reasserting that the company’s current data centre plans and expenditures are in the public domain. 

Last month, CEO Mark Zuckerberg confirmed that Meta plans to invest around $60 billion this year alone on a Louisianna data centre to power Llama 4, its newest AI model. The data centre is “so large it would cover a significant part of Manhattan,” said the Threads post. 

“This is a massive effort, and over the coming years it will drive our core products and business, unlock historic innovation, and extend American technology leaders,” it continued.  

Meta is vying to become a global AI leader alongside the likes of Microsoft, who last month announced $80 billion in AI data centre spending for 2025. Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith confirmed that over half of the funds will be invested in the US, demonstrating a “commitment to this country and our confidence in the American economy.” 

Both companies have ramped up spending in the race for dominance in the emerging AI market. Combined capital expenditures by major players like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Meta are projected to exceed $320 billion this year, according to TechSpot. 

In addition to competing with one another, these companies are also facing global competition from China. 

“The United States is in a strong position to win the essential race with China by advancing international adoption of American AI,” said Smith. “American products are more trusted than their Chinese counterparts, and our private sector is unmatched in its ability to invest in infrastructure around the world. With a balanced and common-sense approach to export control policy, the United States can solidify the diplomatic relations that will be critical to global AI adoption.”  

Chinese AI companies, such as DeepSeek, have recently claimed to develop AI models that rival Western counterparts at a fraction of the cost. This has fuelled urgency among US tech giants to accelerate their AI progress and reinforce their dominance in the global market. 

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

Also in the news: 

AIS’s 5G speed boost service hits 180,000 users, points to new growth model
Telefónica sells Argentinian unit to Telecom Argentina for $1.25 bn
EU approves €227 million for Austrian semiconductor plant 

CHICAGO – Feb. 25, 2025 – Aeris, a global leader in secure cellular IoT platforms and solutions, today launched Aeris IoT Watchtower, the world’s first fully integrated security solution for cellular IoT. Aeris IoT Watchtower delivers enterprise IoT visibility and control to prevent IoT security breaches, significantly reduce the impact of any IoT security event, improve operational efficiency and ensure regulatory compliance.

Aeris’ groundbreaking solution comes at a pivotal time. IoT devices are already a primary target for cyberattackers looking to penetrate enterprise networks. In its 2024 Cyber Threat Trends Report, Deloitte found a 400% increase in IoT malware attacks across various industries. And Forrester predicts “a major IoT breach will disrupt a large class of devices” in 2025.