Exeter-based broadband ISP Jurassic Fibre, which is now part of the wider AllPointsFibre network that delivers FTTP broadband across various locations, has recently informed existing customers of a price increase to their service. The news has come as a surprise to some users, including those who previously benefitted from a 50% “Forever” discount.

A spokesperson for Jurassic Fibre told ISPreview: “Like many of our competitors, as our own costs have risen we have made the difficult decision to increase prices for customers.” As a result, the three products that they sell – 150Mbps, 450Mbps and 950Mbps – have increased in price to £32, £35 and £40 per month.

“That also applies to those customers who were on the “50%” discount but are now out of contract. We maintained that discount for the life of the contract, in line with the terms and conditions, and in many cases beyond,” added the provider. “We would like those valued customers to remain with us now that their contracts have ended and we will continue to offer them full-fibre speeds and excellent service.”

Internet provider Sky Broadband has promised customers of their service, specifically those connecting via the latest ‘Sky Max Hub‘ router, that a fix is on the way for a long-running bug that appears to be preventing users from being able to use Wi-Fi Calling when on their home network.

Most people probably already know this, but Wi-Fi Calling (aka – VoWiFi) enables consumers with a supporting Smartphone and mobile operator to harness their home broadband connection or other WiFi service to make mobile voice calls, instead of using your mobile (2G, 4G or 5G) network. The feature is extremely useful, particularly when away from a good mobile signal, but support can be patchy between different networks and devices.

However, some customers with Sky’s Max Hub router have been complaining (Sky’s Forum), at least since around early December 2024 (or possibly earlier), that they’ve been unable to get Wi-Fi Calling working at home. So far as we can tell from the feedback, this issue appears as if it could be down to Sky Broadband’s relatively recent implementation of MAP-T based IP address sharing (details).

Sky were one of the first UK ISPs to adopt MAP-T last year, which is generally an improvement compared with the much-maligned Carrier Grade Network Address Translation (CGNAT), but it’s not perfect and can sometimes conflict with certain online services.

In this case, MAP-T also appears as if it may have caused problems for some customers with Wi-Fi Calling, which is supported by the fact that those who have made a request for the feature to be disabled were able to get the service working again. Unfortunately, this fix doesn’t seem to last, and some users have reported that it returned a few weeks later. Sky are aware and working on a fix.

Sky’s Community Manager, Kev, said:

Thank you for bringing this problem to our attention.

I’d also like to thank you for your perseverance and patience whilst we work through this technical issue.

Our support teams are working on a solution, and we will be updating customers connections automatically.

So that everyone has access to the most recent update, I’ll be marking this post as the answer. It doesn’t mean that the issue is resolved, it confirms that we’re working on the solution.

Sky’s statement was posted nearly two weeks ago and customers have yet to see a fix being applied, but hopefully they won’t have to wait too much longer. In the meantime, those who want to try working around the issue could try using Sky’s VPN request form, which relates to an MTU tweak that when applied may be able to resolve the issue, at least temporarily. More advanced users can also try applying this themselves (details here).

Internet connection benchmarking firm Ookla, which operates the popular Speedtest.net broadband and mobile testing service, has published an interesting new study that looks at the adoption of different WiFi standards and performance across the world. But the study also highlights the performance impact of EE’s (BT) new Wi-Fi 7 capable routers in the UK.

Before we get started, it’s important to understand that the data being used in this research is coming from web-based speedtests conducted by consumers, which is not exactly the most scientific or reliable way of comparing the performance between different generations of WiFi technology. Such testing can be impacted by various issues, such variable Wi-Fi signal strength between rooms, limitations of the tester itself or device being used, local network congestion and more.

Otherwise, Ookla’s new study reveals that legacy Wi-Fi standards continue to dominate in the UK and Europe, accounting for over 70% of connections in many European countries. For example, in the United Kingdom some 17.29% of Wi-Fi connections are still made using Wi-Fi 4, while Wi-Fi 5 has the biggest piece of the pie at 51.35% and Wi-Fi 6 follows on 31.02%. After that, the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard, which only really started to come into the market last year, holds just 0.35%.

However, despite Wi-Fi 7 having such a small share of the UK’s market, it’s worth nothing that this still puts the United Kingdom within the top 7 countries across Central and Western Europe for Wi-Fi 7 adoption. France currently tops this list on 1.48%, followed by Switzerland (0.85%), Denmark (0.6%), Sweden (0.5%), Germany (0.42%), the Netherlands (0.38%) and then the UK on 0.35%.

This is naturally influenced by various factors, with two of the biggest being consumer choice (i.e. many people often pick a broadband package with older kit and use it for years without upgrading / switching) and the capabilities of the broadband routers that ISPs choose to supply to their customers. In addition, each new Wi-Fi generation tends to be faster than the last, and ISPs often bundle the most capable kit with their fastest plans.

At present, EE is one of the only major broadband ISPs in the UK to bundle a Wi-Fi 7 capable router (Smart Hub Pro), which launched in September 2024 and means they’re also one of the few providers able to generate enough testing data to identify a performance impact. The charts below also include French ISP ‘Free’, which has done something similar to EE.

Ookla’s Speedtest Intelligence data shows that median download speeds on Wi-Fi 7 with EE’s fixed broadband reached 665.01Mbps (download) at the end of 2024 — more than four times the performance recorded on EE-based Wi-Fi 6 connections during the same period. EE’s median upload speeds on Wi-Fi 7 were also nearly twice as fast on EE compared to Wi-Fi 6 connections.

Interestingly, median latency on EE’s Wi-Fi 7 connections in the UK also reached just 17ms (lower figures are faster) at the end of 2024, a 12% improvement over Wi-Fi 6. This is despite the fact that latency, unlike download and upload speeds, is not usually as directly influenced by the impact of ISPs bundling Wi-Fi 7-capable routers (CPE) with higher-tier tariff speeds.

The results are interestingly, but much as we said earlier, testing WiFi performance using web-based speedtesters is subject to many caveats and so should be taken with a suitable pinch of salt.

News 

Telefónica has announced the sale of its Argentina to Telecom Argentina for $1.25 billion. In a short statement released yesterday, the company said that it has “reached an agreement with Telecom Argentina to sell all of its shares in the share capital of Telefónica Argentina.  

The deal, the company said, is “part of the Group’s strategy to reduce its exposure to the region and continue operating in a sustainable manner to build value for its shareholders.” 

Telecom Argentina has said that it “will continue to develop the country’s digital infrastructure and increase fixed and mobile broadband coverage, and accelerate the deployment of fibre optics and 5G. Thus, Argentina will have a digital infrastructure of international level and quality, boosting the development of important sectors of the economy.” 

However, Argentinian President Javier Milei has issued concern over the transaction, as it would leave 70% of the country’s telecommunications services in the hands of one group. “The state will take all pertinent measures to avoid this,” a statement confirmed. 

Telefónica has been actively selling off assets in recent years, including its tower businesses and shares in fibre ventures across Europe and Latin America. These moves are aimed at tackling its €26 billion debt burden and free up capital to investment in 5G and digital infrastructure in key markets, such as Spain, Brazil, and Germany. 

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

Also in the news:
Eutelsat, Mediatek, and Airbus successfully trial 5G NTN over LEO satellites
EU commits €8 billion to strengthen submarine cable security
Vodafone using drones to plug holes in damaged networks 

News 

The trial is a step towards integrating satellite and terrestrial networks, making satellite broadband more accessible for 5G devices worldwide 

Eutelsat Group, MediaTek, and Airbus Defence and Space have completed the first successful 5G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) trial using the Eutelsat OneWeb low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite system. 

The test used Eutelsat OneWeb satellites, MediaTek’s NTN test chipset, and a test gNB from ITRI, following 3GPP Release 17 standards. Sharp and Rhode & Schwarz provided the antenna and test equipment, while Airbus-built satellites handled the connection. A 5G device connected to the network via satellite and exchanged data successfully. 

“5G NTN will be a key feature of the IRIS2 constellation, and Eutelsat is at the forefront of this innovation and active member of the ecosystem. We are proud to be the first satellite operator to demonstrate the 5G air interface working on a commercial fleet in Ku-band and paving the way for new applications in future constellations,” said Eutelsat’s Chief Engineering Officer Arlen Kassighian in a press release. 

The success of this trial highlights the strong development of technology in this sector, allowing users to t jump seamlessly from 5G to satellite as necessary. 

The trial is part of Eutelsat’s broader efforts to bridge the digital divide. Earlier this month, the company reached the milestone of delivering high-speed satellite internet to one million people in Sub-Saharan Africa through its Konnect Wi-Fi hotspot solution. The initiative aims to expand connectivity in areas where traditional broadband infrastructure is lacking. The Konnect Wi-Fi project relies on a geostationary (GEO) satellite, positioned at a fixed point above the Earth, to deliver high-speed broadband via stationary hotspots.  

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

Also in the news:
EU commits €8 billion to strengthen submarine cable security
Vodafone using drones to plug holes in damaged networks
Vodafone and AST SpaceMobile to open research hub in Málaga

News 

The project is part of the EU’s plan to strengthen Europe’s semiconductor industry and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers 

The European Commission has approved €227 million in funding to help Austrian semiconductor manufacturer ams Osram build a manufacturing plant in Premstätten, Austria.  

The new facility will produce wafers used in various industries, including automotive, consumer electronics, and healthcare. It will integrate advanced technologies to improve chip performance and reliability. Expected to be fully operational by 2030, the plant will be the first in Europe to produce Grade 0 automotive-certified chips, which which offer access to highly customisable products. It will also allow other semiconductor companies to use its facilities, boosting collaboration in the sector. 

With a total cost of €567 million, the project relies heavily on EU support. In return, ams Osram has agreed to strengthen Europe’s semiconductor supply chain, develop a unique manufacturing facility, prioritize production during supply shortages, and invest in workforce training. 

“This Austrian project will have wide positive effects for the European semiconductor ecosystem. It will support the development of a strong and resilient digital economy in Europe, ensure a secure supply of semiconductors for the industry and help create high-skilled employment while limiting any potential distortion of competition,” said Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition in a press release. 

The European Commission reviewed the funding under EU state aid rules and found it necessary to attract investment that might not happen otherwise. It determined that the aid would not significantly impact market competition but would provide long-term benefits for Europe’s semiconductor industry. This decision follows similar funding approvals in Italy, France, and Germany. 

Keep up to date with the latest international telecoms news direct to your inbox from Total Telecom 

Also in the news:
Eutelsat, Mediatek, and Airbus successfully trial 5G NTN over LEO satellites
EU commits €8 billion to strengthen submarine cable security
Vodafone using drones to plug holes in damaged networks

UK ISP Quickline has today given a progress update on their £118.9m state aid backed contracts under the Government’s Project Gigabit broadband rollout scheme for Lincolnshire and the East Riding of Yorkshire (Lot 23), which will see their 10Gbps capable full fibre (FTTP) network being expanded to cover 72,000 premises in hard to reach rural areas.

The contract, which was officially announced back in late July 2024 (here), has already seen Quickline deliver gigabit-capable broadband speeds to nearly 850 funded homes and businesses, in and around the villages of Ruskington, Ancaster, and Burgh le Marsh in the south of Lincolnshire.

Work is now known to be underway further north in the villages of North Cave and Gilberdyke in the East Riding of Yorkshire, with Holme on Spalding Moor next in line. The first homes were thus reached within just 6 months of the contract being awarded and just 4 months after the network build got underway, meaning residents can finally connect to faster and more reliable broadband.

In total, the contract will transform connectivity for nearly 72,000 properties, with an additional 50,000 premises set to benefit from Quickline’s complementary (separate) commercial rollout.

Dan Hague, Project Delivery Director at Quickline, said:

“Bringing high-speed broadband to rural and hard-to-reach communities is at the heart of what we do. From day one, our focus has been to deliver results quickly, and connecting over 800 premises within just a few months is a remarkable achievement and a real testament to the dedication of our teams.

Every week hundreds more homes and businesses across Lincolnshire and the East Riding of Yorkshire will be gaining access to fast, reliable broadband, transforming communities that have long struggled with poor connectivity.”

Telecoms Minister, Sir Chris Bryant, said:

“The lack of fast and reliable connectivity for people living and working in rural areas of Lincolnshire and the East Riding of Yorkshire can be a huge obstacle to fulfilling day-to-day tasks, such as taking part in remote NHS consultations or staying in touch with loved ones.

Thanks to this UK Government-funded rollout, thousands of homes and businesses in the area will gain access to the fastest speeds on the market, boosting the local economy and improving opportunities even in the most isolated areas of the region.”

Across all its Project Gigabit contracts, Quickline aims to connect 170,000 subsidised homes and businesses in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire (England), rising to 360,000 when you include their plans for associated commercial builds.

Customers of the service will typically pay from £29 per month for 200Mbps symmetric speeds on a 24-month term with free installation, which goes up to £32 for their top 900Mbps tier (£49 after 24 months).

Hull-based broadband ISP KCOM, which has spent the past few years deploying a new full fibre (FTTP) network across 305,000 premises in parts of East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire (England), has today revealed that they’re working with Nokia to deploy their 10Gbps XGS-PON technology across the network and 25G PON in the future.

At present, much of KCOM’s existing full fibre network is still using older GPON technology, which places constraints on how much capacity can actually be delivered to each end user (i.e. GPON shares capacity of 2.48Gbps downstream and 1.24Gbps upstream between multiple users). This is partly why the provider’s recent move to introduce symmetric speeds ended up hitting a bit of a wall at uploads of 500Mbps (here).

The operator has, however, previously talked about upgrading to use 10Gbps capable XGS-PON technology, although until now they’ve been quite coy with sharing any details. But Phase One of the new Nokia deal, signed last week, should facilitate the roll-out of XGS-PON to “thousands of customers on KCOM’s network in Hull City Centre“.

According to KCOM, the adoption of Nokia’s Optical Line Terminals (OLT) and Altiplano platform will “facilitate symmetrical upload and download speeds of up to 10Gbps” and “paves the way for 25G PON and new multi-gigabit services” to follow in the “future“.

Ian Shepherdson, KCOM’s Chief Technology Officer, said:

“This investment keeps Hull and East Yorkshire at the forefront of digital connectivity. It’s the first phase of a multi-year, multi-million pound investment in our fibre infrastructure. With rapid technological advancement now the norm, this upgrade means we’ll be ready for business customers or data-intensive households who want vastly increased speeds of 10Gbps – and even up to 25Gbps in the future. We’ve been pleased to partner with Nokia, who share our commitment to empowering customers with the connectivity they need.”

Paul Alexander, CEO UK and Ireland at Nokia, said:

“Designed with state-of-the-art technology, our solution will enable KCOM to future-proof its network and offer new services for applications that require massive bandwidth and low latency. With the ability to seamlessly evolve to 25G PON in the future, KCOM will be able to differentiate themselves from the competition and attract new customers who value speed, reliability, and quality.”

KCOM said the related upgrade works are now beginning, and it is “anticipated that the new speeds will be live for customers” by September 2025. At the time of writing, it’s unclear whether they mean this date in respect to the completion of Phase One, or deployment across their entire network (we’re checking and will report back shortly).

Mobile operator Vodafone UK has come top in a new network benchmarking study of 4G and 5G (broadband and calls) performance across London, which was conducted by the Berlin-based NET CHECK organisation and saw them score the highest number of ranking points (932.83 out of a possible 1,000 points).

The study, which involved a mix of driving tests that were performed by NET CHECK’s team between 30th of October and 7th of November 2024, was carried out across all 32 London boroughs and the City of London area using Samsung S23+ smartphones. The measurement technicians drove 23 routes and covered a distance of 1018km across Greater London.

The testing itself involved a range of voice and data service categories including, accessibility, reliability, speech quality and mobile broadband speed-tests using customer applications such as the browsing of popular web pages, video streaming and more. For data services, a total of around 15,700 data samples per operator were collected. For voice services, around 1,390 test calls were made and 12 speech samples were collected in each test call, resulting in a total of around 16,600 speech samples.

Overall, Vodafone scored the highest number of ranking points – 932.83 out of a possible 1,000 points. EE ranked second, closely following with around 9 points less (923.45). After that, O2 (Virgin Media) took third place on 834.16 points, while Three UK fell behind its competitors on just 757.82 points.

The study summarises its results in detail below, although you can read the full report to get the proper context for each measurement.

The Government’s Building Digital UK (BDUK) agency has made a change this week that closes their Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme (GBVS) for Newcastle and North Tyneside (Tyne and Wear), which means that local homes and businesses in poorly served rural areas can no longer apply for big grants to help get a much faster broadband ISP network installed.

Just to recap. The GBVS usually offers grants worth up to £4,500 to help rural premises get a gigabit-capable broadband (1Gbps) ISP service installed, which is available to areas with speeds of “less than 100Mbps” – assuming there are also no near-term plans for a gigabit deployment in the same area (either via private investment or state-aid). Local authorities sometimes also work with BDUK to boost the value of such vouchers for their region.

However, the GBVS has been operating with a very low level of UK availability for the past couple of years (i.e. it’s not currently available to most counties), which is largely to ensure that it avoids conflicting (i.e. duplicating public investment) with Project Gigabit’s larger Gigabit Infrastructure Subsidy (GIS) programme (i.e. the big build contracts that have been awarded to operators like Fibrus, Openreach, Wessex Internet and many more).

As a result of this, regions do sometimes drop into and out of voucher eligibility as Project Gigabit’s various GIS contracts and market reviews run their course. For example, rural parts of Devon in England were recently added back into the voucher scheme (here), which meant that poorly served homes and businesses in that county could apply for vouchers again.

The change this week is that poorly served homes in parts of Newcastle and North Tyneside have just been removed from the voucher scheme. But what’s interesting here is that this region doesn’t currently appear to have its own contract LOT under the GIS programme. However, back in 2023 it was briefly considered for one under Lot 38 (here).

The original Open Market Review (OMR) for this region estimated that, without public intervention, 71,441 premises were at risk of being left without access to gigabit-capable broadband. But it seems as if BDUK might still have greater plans than merely vouchers for this region, which may become clearer with the publication of their next UK progress update in the near future.

The GBVS is currently still available to poorly served parts of Derbyshire, Devon, the Isle of Wight, Greater London, Merseyside and Great Manchester, Birmingham and the Black Country.