London, 29th April 2024 – Cerillion (AIM: CER), a leading provider of BSS/OSS-as-a-Service solutions to the telecoms industry, today announced the launch of Cerillion 24.1, which exploits the latest GenAI-powered image recognition technology to completely transform how communications services providers (CSPs) design and build new products and services.

First showcased at MWC Barcelona in February and now generally available in this new product release, Cerillion’s innovative approach takes users straight from concept to configuration, automatically creating new products, packages and workflows based on pictures and diagrams, whilst being designed for commercial and customer data privacy from the outset:

Sketch out a new product idea on a whiteboard and upload a picture to build the configuration in Enterprise Product Catalogue, cutting the product development lifecycle by up to 95%.
Import a swimlane process flow diagram and see it turned into the corresponding job steps, actions and dependencies in Service Manager, streamlining order management and service fulfilment.
Migrate seamlessly from legacy systems, using image recognition to create new configuration from scratch, instead of having to transform from complex and disparate data structures.

Now with both image recognition and natural language user interfaces, Cerillion is turbocharging how CSPs manage their products and services by empowering non-technical teams to drive the configuration process.

Other highlights in this release include:

Digital Experience: As part of its on-going modernisation programme, Cerillion’s new Self Service is now available for first customer projects. Built on a completely new architecture, with user-centric design and a composable digital experience, CSPs get all the benefits of working with a product-based solution, whilst being able to augment the core product using a visual content management system (CMS).
Mobile Commerce: The Mobile App has gone through extensive updates with Cerillion’s API-first architecture now used to deliver online sales capabilities using the same APIs as CRM Plus and Self Service. There is also a newly refreshed UI design providing a modern and intuitive user experience.
Revenue Management: Further flexibility has been introduced in Revenue Manager with additional options for how charging can be paused and restarted when accounts are suspended, as well as configurable general ledger aggregation using user defined fields.
Standards-based Integration. Cerillion continues to certify its use of TM Forum Open APIs, with conformance achieved for TMF674 Geographic Site Management and TMF641 Service Ordering Management in this release, and has reached Platinum-level certification.

“The launch of Cerillion 24.1 marks a significant breakthrough in agility for CSPs with GenAI-powered image recognition transforming both how and who can build new products and services,” commented Louis Hall, CEO of Cerillion. “With our innovative BSS/OSS-as-a-Service solutions, we are showing once again that there is a better way for CSPs to manage their BSS/OSS applications and breaking the stranglehold of the large incumbent vendors and legacy delivery models.”

For more information, or to book a call with a Cerillion consultant, please visit: https://www.cerillion.com/products/bssoss-suite/

– ends –

Notes to Editors

About Cerillion plc Founded in 1999, Cerillion (AIM: CER) is a leading provider of billing, charging and customer management systems delivering its solutions across a broad range of industries including the telecommunications, finance and utilities sectors. The Company has a global customer base, with c. 80 customer installations across c. 45 countries and customers include Liberty Global, KDDI and Proximus. For more information visit: www.cerillion.com

“As mobile usage soars so does our reliance on seamless connections. Applications rely on it. Your people depend on it. Downtime isn’t an option – and presents significant risks”, says Maurits Zandbergen, CEO of Lyfo. “But are you aware of how often your team actually faces connectivity issues and, even more so, of the associated risks?” Dropped calls and dead zones can leave you out of reach, especially during remote work or urgent situations.

BackupSim has got you covered

How does it work? BackupSim seamlessly integrates with your mobile operator’s primary SIM, scanning all available mobile networks, and intervening instantly if connections falter. It automatically switches to an alternative network when the network quality drops, ensuring uninterrupted service, even in challenging environments: near borders, inside buildings, in remote areas, or during emergencies.

“Simply put, it’s what you fall back on when the primary connection is interrupted”, says Zandbergen. By enhancing mobile operator connectivity, BackupSim drastically reduces connectivity downtime by up to 90%, serving as a fail-safe solution. “It has proven to be a game-changer, even for the most robust mobile networks. We’re excited to partner with mobile operators worldwide to bring this essential solution to anyone who relies on mobile connectivity.”

Lyfo: Connectivity Pioneers
At Lyfo, we strive to ensure reliable and seamless mobile connectivity. Backed by technical expertise, a keen enthusiasm for telecom solutions, and a deep understanding of the risks associated with mobile connectivity loss, Lyfo keeps you connected. Because it matters.

Never Miss a Beat with BackupSim. Visit us on CCW in Dubai 14th

For more information about BackupSim and how to partner with Lyfo, visit backupsim.com

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Any further questions? Please contact us.

Lyfo

+31 (0) 34 52 47 700


info@lyfo.com

Spotlight Series

by Isabelle Paradis, President of HOT TELECOM

In the shadows of the digital revolution, the telecom industry stands at a crossroads. It faces a pressing imperative: to foster a culture that not only attracts the energy of youth but also retains the wisdom of its veterans. There is no doubt about it, we are witnessing a skills gap that threatens to grow wider as the baby boomer generation edges towards retirement. Meanwhile, the younger generation, native speakers in the digital dialect of AI, 5G, and IoT, are not stepping in quickly enough to close this gap. 

This is not a call for a coup to usher in the new guard at the expense of the old. The narrative that needs to be embraced is one of complement. Imagine a future where the telecom industry is as innovative with its workforce as it is with its technology. So it is time to stop talking and start acting and here are some disruptive ideas of how it can be done. 

Cross-generational think tanks 

Picture this: A tech-savvy 22-year-old proposes an AI-driven solution to optimise network traffic. Her idea is brilliant but raw. Across the table, a telecom veteran with three decades under his belt sees the idea’s potential. He’s not here to gatekeep; he’s here to refine. Together, they polish the idea into a market-ready innovation that could only be born from such a fusion of past and future. 

How powerful would such partnership be! Young tech talents joining forces with veterans to co-develop technologies using AI and machine learning to optimise network capacities or enhance cybersecurity measures for example. These are true collaborations that would leverage distinct perspectives into robust innovations. 

The gamification of innovation 

The telecom industry should take a leaf out of the tech industry’s playbook and transform innovation into a competitive sport – literally. Imagine innovation labs as competitive sport – where mixed-age teams duke it out in hackathons.  

In this environment, novel ideas are rigorously tested and refined, with the most promising fast-tracked for development. Such a dynamic approach not only accelerates innovation but also democratises it, allowing the best solutions to emerge based on merit rather than seniority. This new frontier of telecom, driven by competitive collaboration, has the potential to redefine the industry’s approach to innovation and progress. 

Incentivising innovation across ages 

To truly integrate, telecom companies must obliterate the traditional hierarchy that sorts employees. Instead, imagine a world where projects are staffed by capability, not by counting gray hairs or Snapchat followers. 

But for this to become a reality, there needs to be a radical shift in the corporate ethos. Companies like SpaceX and Apple have cultivated environments where innovation is age-agnostic, driven by a shared mission. Telecom companies must cultivate this same mindset, creating roles and teams based not on seniority, but on skill and creative synergy. 

Policy Push: Government as catalyst 

It’s time for governments to step into the ring and spice things up. Governments around the globe should incentivise telecom giants to break down not only gender barriers, but age barriers too. This could be through tax incentives for companies demonstrating genuine age diversity or through stricter regulations that require evidence of age-inclusive practices. 

Moreover, there’s a space for venture capital here too. Imagine a government-backed VC fund specifically aimed at supporting telecom start-ups that demonstrate effective age-inclusive strategies. Such measures would not only encourage innovation, but would also make it a normative part of the telecom industry’s DNA. 

A call to action to unite 

In this context, the messaging from the C-suites needs to be clear: telecoms is no country for old men or young guns alone – it is a place where experience and enthusiasm unite. Companies must architect platforms for cross-pollination of ideas, where innovation is the currency and age is rendered irrelevant. This means fostering flexible work policies, inclusive recruitment strategies, and a culture that celebrates knowledge-sharing. 

The industry’s willingness to embrace a cross-generational workforce will dictate not just its immediate future, but its role in shaping the global communications landscape. Let the telecom industry be not just a conduit for calls and data, but a beacon of inclusive growth. It’s time for telecom to dial into its most underleveraged asset – its human capital, across all generations. 

Join Isabelle at Submarine Networks EMEA, where she’ll be interviewing the President of the SubOptic Association and the Chief Product Officer of Aqua Comms live on stage! Get your ticket now!

Madrid, 30 April 2024 – Telxius, a leading global connectivity provider, is opening its latest submarine cable route with the extension of SAm-1 between Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico. The route is in service from April 2024 and serves as a vital link between the Caribbean and the U.S., as well as wider Latin America via the Brusa, PCCS, and SAm-1 cables.

This extension expands Telxius’ network capabilities and further bridges the gap between the Caribbean and the Americas with ultra-high-capacity connectivity. It will be the first public cable covering this route with such high capacity. Telxius enables secure and resilient access to the world’s digital hubs, and this route demonstrates Telxius’ strong focus on boosting communications in Latin America.

“This new route underscores Telxius’ dedication to advancing technology and enabling digital transformation. Our developments across the region are driven by growing customer demand and new opportunities to support local and global enterprises and we are continually evolving our capabilities to better serve the needs of our customers in this fast- growing market. This new route will accelerate digital transformation in key regions, allowing them to fully participate in today’s digital economy,” said Mario Martín, CEO at Telxius.

By leveraging this advanced infrastructure, enterprises in the Dominican Republic will experience improved connectivity, facilitating smoother communication, commerce, and collaboration both regionally and globally. The investment in this extension demonstrates Telxius’ commitment to meeting the evolving demands of global connectivity.

The Telxius ecosystem accelerates how enterprises, OTTs, carriers and service providers connect their customers, partners and platforms across the globe. Its extensive network includes eight next-generation fiber optic submarine cables and terrestrial backhauls together spanning more than 100,000km. Telxius provides a wide range of capacity, colocation and security services, as well as direct internet connectivity through its Tier-1 IP network, providing connectivity around the world.

###

About Telxius

As the world’s needs for uninterrupted global interconnectivity continue to rise, we are preparing the road ahead. Telxius is a leading global connectivity provider that combines subsea and terrestrial networks with data centers worldwide. Its extensive ecosystem includes eight next-generation fiber optic submarine cables and terrestrial backhauls together spanning 100,000+ km, almost 100 PoPs in 17 countries, plus 27 data centers. Telxius provides a wide range of capacity, colocation and security services, as well as direct internet connectivity through its Tier-1 IP network. With ultra-high capacity, low latency and resilient networking, Telxius seamlessly connects customers across the Americas, Europe and beyond.

For more information about Telxius visit www.telxius.com.

Interview

At this years’ Huawei Analyst Summit in Shenzhen, China, Total Telecom sat down with Sameer Malik, Senior Principal Analyst at Omdia, to discuss Net5.5G converged IP networks

Now based in Sydney, Malik has over 20 years’ experience in the telecoms industry. He joined Omdia in 2021 after having leadership roles at Huawei and Etisalat. In 2020, he was recognised as Distinguished Technical Talent by the Australian government. 

What is Net5.5G and why is it important? 

Many new applications brought to consumers and businesses by AI and other data hungry technologies will exceed the capacity of current networks.  

“AI is changing the whole world,” says Malik. “But without the readiness of the network, you can’t achieve it.”   

He also notes the current challenges operators face when it comes to service differentiation.  

“For example, we need extended reality (XR) services, cloud shopping, and digital smelling… there are lots of emerging applications.” says Malik. In order to bring these to the consumer, bandwidth needs to be high, scalability needs to be possible, and the service needs to be stable and reliable, and this can only be achieved though network modernisation. 

Unlike wireless networks, however, fixed networks do not have a standardised evolutionary path. Net5.5G, therefore, is conceptualised as the next step in end-to-end modernisation of the IP network. 

What are the features of Net5.5G Converged IP Network? 

There are four key areas in which the Net5.5G network architecture upgrade will focus. 

4 types of 10Gbps connection: The network (mobile broadband, home broadband, enterprise campus, and enterprise private lines) should be upgraded to 10Gbps connections to support new use cases. This can be leveraged to bring the applications to the end user.
Metro and core networks: The Net5.5G converged IP transport network should be upgraded to 400GE from metro aggregation to the core networks. And provide Slicing/SRv6 as a service to monetize user experience.
DCN (data centre network): Net5.5G recommends that the DCN be upgraded to hyper-converged 400GE to achieve optimal total cost of ownership (TCO) and network scale load balance.
End to end network management, to enhance the user experience: The Net5.5G network will be AI-enabled with Network Digital Map span access, allowing it to be more predictive in operations and maintenance, and proactively handling all traffic and services.

Thus, for the Key Features of Net5.5G Converged IP Network:  

E2E 400GE Full-Service Converged IP Transport, achieving optimal TCO 
Slicing/SRv6 as a service, monetizing user experience 
Network Digital Map, improving network stability, quality, and O&M efficiency

What enhancements can AI bring to the network? 

From a network perspective, AI has the possibility to bring huge impact, when the models are trained properly. 

Malik discusses this from the “operation and maintenance perspective”, giving the example of end-to-end digital mapping. Here, this can be used to “visualise your services to be more predictive in your operation and maintenance and then proactively handle all the traffic and services. For example, if customers are having a service deterioration in the network, AI can predict based on the real-time learning … and troubleshoot the services proactively.” 

Are the features of the Net5.5G converged IP network in line with the existing strategies for carriers? 

For Malik, a major issue with operators’ existing approach to the fixed network is that modernisation is often carried out piecemeal, without a unified strategy.  

“I think service providers or carriers need to formalise their strategy for their fixed network modernisation,” said Malik, noting that the whole network needs to be modernised, from the access metro core to the DCN. 

“The unfortunate part is that they only modernise whenever they need it,” he explained, which “can cost them big amounts of money”. 

So, it’s unwise to modernise the network in parts. The network must be ready to “cater to the new services” that the developments in AI will bring. It needs to be fully “resilient, scalable and flexible,” says Malik. “So, for service providers, my suggestion is to strategize their fixed network modernisation, step by step,” he proposes. 

Malik envisions a unified evolutionary pathway more in-line with the generational shifts that exist in wireless, with 4G moving to LTE moving to 5G/5G-A, etc. To achieve this, however, the industry will need to collaborate more closely on what the next generation of fixed networks will look like.   

“This isn’t the job of one service provider,” says Malik. The whole industry needs to “sit together and work in association… they have to work strategically to strategize the evolution path for the fixed network.” 

What new opportunities will Net5.5G Converged IP Network will bring to carriers and how can they use those new opportunities to create growth? 

Underscoring all of this discussion about network modernisation is the topic of monetisation. The bottom line, as Malik explains, is that “there’s no point in modernising your network if you don’t have any return on investments”. 

However, once the network is modernised, monetizing it will become much more possible.  

The word monetisation is thrown around so much, but it is at the centre of everything. Malik gives the example of network slicing: “facing BtoB service, carriers sell the physical network in different virtual slices, to hundreds of vertical industries. From that perspective, if your network is good… resilient and strong” it is possible to monetize the network. Therefore, this is “a good return on investment on the network modernisation”. 

For an industry struggling with network monetisation, upgrading to Net5.5G will offer countless possibilities for new use cases and revenue streams, making it a key step on operators’ return to growth. 

Huawei recently hosted the IP GALA Summit with the theme “Bring Net5.5G into Reality, Inspire New Growth” during the MPLS SD & AI Net World Congress 2024., where many operators shared their experiences of Net5.5G. Read more here. 

News

TPG had initially agreed a similar deal with Telstra, but this was quashed by the competition regulator

This week, Australian telcos TPG Telecom and Optus have announced a new agreement that will see them create a regional Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN), extending TPG’s 4G and 5G networks.

The network sharing agreement will see TPG make use of Optus’ mobile sites across the country, increasing the company’s total number of available sites from 755 to 2,444. This, according to TPG, will more than double the company’s existing 4G network coverage.

TPG will also gain access to additional 5G sites deployed by Optus in future.

Optus, meanwhile, will gain access to some additional spectrum from TPG, bolstering their wireless network’s performance.

The deal is valid for 11 years, with an option to increase this by a further five years if desired. TPG says it expects to pay Optus roughly AUD $1.17 billion (USD $770 million) during this 11-year period.

“TPG Telecom expects this significant increase in the size and performance of its mobile network will enable it to accelerate mobile subscriber growth over time as a result of reduced churn and increased addressable market,” said the operator in a financial filing.

TPG initially agreed to a similar network sharing deal with Telstra back in 2022, with the move set to see TPG gain access to around 3,700 of Telstra’s mobile sites, while Telstra would gain access to TPG’s 4G and 5G spectrum.

However, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) ultimately blocked the deal a year later, arguing that the move would harm competition. In particular, the regulator said the deal would disincentivise the companies’ rival Optus from investing in rural areas.

At the time, Optus had argued that they were the better potential network sharing partner for TPG, saying this pairing would better maintain market competition.

TPG, however, were indignant at the proposal, saying that “Optus wishes to use the authorisation process to remove Telstra as a competitor in relation to network sharing and leave it free to impose a less attractive, alternative transaction”.

Now, with the Telstra deal firmly off the table, it seems that TPG has gradually mellowed to the idea of a partnership with Optus.

Optus themselves say that the deal has been constructed specifically to address the concerns of regulators.

“There are some similarities between the transaction but there are some differences as well. And we believe that these differences are significant enough that the ACCC will not have a problem with this,” Optus’s interim CEO, Michael Venter told Guardian Australia.

He noted that giving Optus access to additional spectrum from TPG would not be as impactful to competition as giving it to existing market leader Telstra.

“We are confident that although we get access to the same level of spectrum, the starting position is very different in that Optus is not the dominant player in that region yet,” explained Venter.

The sharing agreement will come into effect in early 2025, assuming regulatory approval.

Keep up to date with all the latest developments from the global telecoms industry with Total Telecom’s daily newsletter

Also in the news:
T-Mobile and EQT form JV to buy Lumos
Korean Air shows off comprehensive urban air mobility system backed by 5G
Virgin Media O2 reaches plastic waste milestone

News

The fines were first proposed in February 2020 

This week, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has fined major US wireless carriers, including AT&T, Sprint (since acquired by T-Mobile), T-Mobile, and Verizon nearly $200 million for illegally sharing customer location information to third parties without their consent.  

According to the FCC, the carriers sold access to their customers’ location information to ‘aggregators’, who then resold the access to this information to third-party location-based service providers. 

This allowed “highly sensitive data to wind up in the hands of bail-bond companies, bounty hunters, and other shady actors,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel in a statement. 

Under the Communications Act of 1934, carriers are required to take “reasonable measures” to protect certain customer information, which includes location information. 

“Our communications providers have access to some of the most sensitive information about us. These carriers failed to protect the information entrusted to them. Here, we are talking about some of the most sensitive data in their possession: customers’ real-time location information, revealing where they go and who they are,” said Rosenworcel in a separate press release. 

Specifically, the FCC fined T-Mobile $80 million, Sprint $12 million, AT&T $57 million, and Verizon $47 million.  

Although the FCC’s fines are significant, they represent just a tiny fraction of the operator’s annual revenues. Verizon’s $47 million fine, for example, is less than 1% of its total 2023 revenue, which was nearly $77 billion.  

T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon have stated that they strongly oppose the FCC’s findings, and all three companies intend to appeal the decision. 

 “[The FCC’s] decision is wrong, and the fine is excessive,” said T-Mobile in a statement. “We intend to challenge it.” 

AT&T similarly claimed that the fines lacked “both legal and factual merit”. 

“It unfairly holds us responsible for another company’s violation of our contractual requirements to obtain consent, ignores the immediate steps we took to address that company’s failures, and perversely punishes us for supporting life-saving location services.” 

Keep up to date with all the latest telecoms news from around the world with Total Telecom’s daily newsletter

Also in the news:
South Korea to invest $7 billion in AI semiconductors
Swisscom expands 5G partnership with Ericsson
Daisy Group set to acquire 4Com for £215m

Broadband ISP Quickline, which is building a new gigabit-capable full fibre (FTTP) and fixed wireless (5G FWA) network across rural and semi-rural parts of North East England, has revealed that their service has now gone live for thousands of premises in villages across the Isle of Axholme area in North Lincolnshire (England).

The full fibre network went live in the village of Westwoodside in January 2024, following the lighting up of Belton at the end of 2023. Meanwhile, work is now complete to bring full fibre broadband to further addresses across the Isle of Axholme, with the network being extended into communities including Beltoft, West Butterwick, Althorpe and Derrythorpe who can now get connected. More than 2,500 properties in these areas are now able to connect.

And, as part of the government funded Project Gigabit contract recently awarded to Quickline, communities including Crowle, East Lound, Graizelound, Owston Ferry and Wroot are also set to be connected to gigabit-capable, full fibre over the next few months and years.

Residential customers reached by their new full fibre network are typically charged from £29 per month on a 24-month term for 100Mbps (50Mbps upload) speeds with free installation, and that goes up to £49 for their top 900Mbps (450Mbps upload) tier. The first 3 months of service are also free.

Chris Akrill, Head of FTTP Operations at Quickline, said:

“Rural communities have been struggling with poor connectivity for a long time, with slow and unreliable broadband being a daily challenge.

At Quickline our focus is on closing the digital divide between urban and rural areas and connecting those hard-to-reach communities that other providers have left behind.

We’re delighted to be lighting up these communities across the Isle of Axholme where so many people living and working in these small hamlets and villages will really benefit.

We had already made good progress in this rural part of North Lincolnshire and now that we are delivering Project Gigabit for the government, we will be extending our network into many of the other outlying communities in the area.”

Quickline itself is currently being supported by funding of around £500m from Northleaf Capital Partners and c.£104m of public subsidy from Project Gigabit (here and here). The provider holds an aspiration to cove around 500,000 premises in rural and semi-rural areas across North East England with “ultrafast broadband” via both their Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) and 5G based fixed wireless technology “by 2025” (here). Some 200,000 of those rural premises will be tackled by their wireless network, with the other half or more coming from FTTP.

Mobile operator and ISP Vodafone UK has today announced the launch of both a new ‘Power Hub‘ router for their home broadband packages and a complementary new ‘Super Wi-Fi 6 Booster‘ device to help improve home wireless connectivity. New customers, joining from today, on any standard plan will receive the Power Hub router.

At the time of writing, we don’t yet have any details on the technical specifications of each device, which makes it very difficult to say what sort of improvements they bring over the existing kit (customers on Vodafone’s premium Pro II plans already get WiFi 6E capable kit, such as via their ‘Ultra Hub‘ router).

The Power Hub router is instead merely described as being “built for Full Fibre, giving speeds of up to 910Mbps and is designed to work with the latest tech“. The WiFi 6 capable router can also connect “up to 100 smart devices and offers intelligent WiFi auto-optimisation,” although most such routers could lay claim to a similar statement. But that’s all the detail they give (we’ve asked for more).

As for the new Super WiFi 6 Booster, this is designed to work with Vodafone’s new Power Hub and to deliver “reliable coverage around the whole home” using mesh technology for “wall to wall WiFi.” Customers will also receive dedicated ‘WiFi Xpert’ support, who will help to “monitor and fix any issues“. But in the “unlikely event they don’t get reliable WiFi coverage across every corner of the home, Vodafone’s Whole Home WiFi Guarantee lets them leave, for free.” But again, that’s all they say.

The enhanced kit helps to underpin Vodafone’s “new” standard broadband packages, which start from £26 per month, plus an additional £7 if you want to add their Super WiFi 6 Booster.

Breaking news.. more to follow..

Network operator and ISP Brsk, which is deploying a new gigabit speed Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband network across the West Midlands and North West of England (rollout plan), has revealed that they’ve now passed a key milestone by expanding to cover half a million homes (up from 450,000 on 2nd March 2024).

The operator – fuelled by an investment of at least £259m – is currently building out its new network across parts of West Yorkshire, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, and the West Midlands – Birmingham and The Black Country, to be specific. Some 28,000 customers (1st Mar 2024) already use the service.

According to today’s announcement, the operator is now adding over 30,000 new homes to their network coverage on a monthly basis, which is roughly in line with their existing trends. But at the time of writing, we don’t yet know how many of their built premises are Ready for Service (RFS), although the gap between built and RFS is usually only c.10-20k (typically reflecting wayleave delays in secured MDU coverage).

Residential prices start at £23 per month for a 100Mbps (symmetric) package and rise to £32 for 900Mbps on a 24-month term, including a router and free installation.

Ian Kock, Brsk’s Chief Operating Officer, said:

“We are extremely proud of what our team has achieved in such a short period of time. Our focus has been on reaching scale and building a high-quality network as efficiently as possible. Our build engine is producing 30k plus homes per month across four regions, and we are well on our way to achieving our ambition of providing better broadband to one million homes.”

The news represents more positive progress for Brsk, particularly as it occurs during a period where many other alternative networks are having to scale-back their deployments and cut jobs, largely due to rising build costs and high interest rates that make raising new investment difficult. At the same time the operator has recently been linked to a possible merger with Netomnia, which are also partly backed by Advencap (here).

Despite the rumours, brsk said they remain focused on connecting underserved towns and villages in the West Midlands and North West of the UK, across Bradford, Calderdale, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Staffordshire, Merseyside, The Black Country and Birmingham, with “further areas to be announced later this year.”

UPDATE 8:55am

The RFS figure is 486,184.