Internet connection speed benchmarking firm nPerf has today announced the launch of a new app for PC and MAC users, which is said to be capable of testing broadband speeds of up to 10Gbps, with streaming (using the VLC enginer) and browsing tests (using Chromium) now also included. The latter is somewhat unique for web-based speed testers.

“Powered by advanced technology developed by the nPerf team and supported by a global network of servers (+3,000), the nPerf desktop application guarantees accurate and reliable results,” claims the announcement. But assessing such things is notoriously difficult and, in our experience, few broadband speed testing platforms are perfect and often suffer from a mix of different caveats.

As usual, broadband speed testers can be affected by various issues, such as slow Wi-Fi, limitations of the tester itself, local network congestion, the performance of remote internet services and so forth. Take with the usual pinch of salt.

Interview 

We recently sat down with Raf Meersman, General Manager for EMEA at IQGeo to discuss the rural digital divide in both the UK and abroad, and how the issue can best be tackled. 

Could you tell us a little about IQGEO?

IQGeo provides award-winning geospatial network management software to telecommunication, fiber, and utility operators globally, enabling them to build better networks. We are headquartered in Cambridge, UK with regional offices in Germany, Belgium, North America, Japan, and Malaysia. 

Our solutions ensure greater cross-team collaboration and process efficiency throughout the network lifecycle, from planning and design to construction, operations and sales. We partner with large multinationals and smaller regional operators to deliver the digital innovation they need to increase network resilience, operational safety, and business ROI.  

Unique to the industry, we offer operators our packaged SaaS Insight edition with the ability to seamlessly evolve to our configurable Professional and customizable Enterprise editions as their technical and business requirements grow in complexity. This means that operators always have a solution that is the right size for them, rather than having to invest in features that they don’t need. 

How does IQGeo’s technology contribute to bridging the rural connectivity gap, especially in areas where access to reliable networks is a challenge? 

Our fiber network management software, Network Manager Telecom, enables network operators in their efforts to bring connectivity to remote and underserved locations. Successful broadband deployment in these regions demands speed and agility, and operators building fiber in rural areas cannot afford to make multiple field visits, making it more critical to execute processes right the first time.  

Network Manager Telecom enables field teams to document and manage data online and offline, more powerfully and flexibly than other solutions, ensuring accurate, up-to-date network data. It also offers one digital source of truth with a fully integrated architecture, connecting end-to-end workflows and applications to streamline and optimize every network process. These are essential characteristics to support successful rural network deployment and ongoing fiber network maintenance. 

Can you share specific instances where IQGeo’s solutions have been instrumental in extending connectivity to rural or underserved regions? 

A great example of an IQGeo supporting an operator to bring connectivity to underserved regions is the case study of altnet Alncom. As specialists in rural broadband, Alncom provides internet access to over 50,000 premises in a previously untapped market in the Northumberland region within the UK, unlocking success for customers, businesses, and communities. They have developed a very efficient fibre planning and rollout model that empowers their field engineers to connect homes and businesses with a single site visit. 

To support their fibre deployment efforts, they sought the help of IQGeo. Working in partnership we used our industry knowledge and the IQGeo fiber network management software to effectively map areas and design grid information, providing a visual overview of the area and acting as a guide to determine the optimal placement, position, and scale elements for their network infrastructure. Special considerations had to be taken into account when completing the task, such as ensuring networks were not being built too close to bridges, historical buildings, national parks and narrow roads. By working in close collaboration, we were able to ensure it took place safely, not affecting or disrupting any crucial sites.  

IQGeo’s fibre network management software also enables Alncom to streamline and monitor the build process, thus helping the teams to understand how their systems worked and what their limitations were. The partnership has proved to be one of Alncom’s biggest successes. They overcame an immense challenge of rolling out fiber broadband to over 18 rural hamlets, spanning over 30km, and succeeded.  

Bridging the rural connectivity gap is a global issue. In the markets that IQGeo operate in, do you work with governments, with local communities and stakeholders to understand and cater to their specific needs? And how important is this? 

While IQGeo operates in many global markets, dealing with the regulations in each region directly would be difficult and at times inappropriate as IQGeo is not a fiber network operator. Local governments have their own requirements and processes, which can be very different from place to place. 

But IQGeo understands how important it is to know about local requirements. Our customers work with local governments to understand and follow government regulations. We work closely with them to make sure our technology is meeting their needs and the needs of the communities they serve within the guidelines of local and national government regulation. We use their connections with local governments and their knowledge of regulations to make sure our technology fits into the local requirements smoothly.

What do you think other key industry stakeholders could be doing to bridge the global connectivity gap? 

The digital divide – the gap between those with and without reliable internet access – requires a multi-pronged approach. Here’s how key players can contribute, along with specific examples: 

Governments:

Funding & Incentives: Governments can directly allocate funds for infrastructure development in rural areas. For instance, the US Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021 allocated a significant $65 billion specifically for broadband development, with a focus on underserved rural communities.  

Regulation Reform: Regulatory Reform: Simplifying the permitting process can significantly decrease the time and expenses associated with deploying broadband infrastructure in rural areas. The European Union’s “Connectivity Toolbox” serves as a comprehensive resource for member states to reference while devising their fiber rollout strategies. Key recommendations from the EU include: 

Implementing permit exemptions or replacing permits with notification systems. 
Establishing a Single Information Point (SIP) to serve as the central hub for submitting permit applications electronically. 
Improving the accessibility of information related to existing physical infrastructure, such as through a unified data portal or providing georeferenced information through various channels. 

Universal Service Programs:

These programs ensure a baseline level of affordable internet access for all citizens, regardless of location. Costa Rica’s Fondo Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (FONATEL) program provides subsidies for deploying broadband infrastructure in underserved areas, ensuring rural communities have access to affordable internet services. 

Telecom Companies: 

Innovative Technologies: Investing in research and development of innovative technologies like fixed wireless access (FWA) can provide cost-effective solutions for rural areas with low population density. For example, Starlink by SpaceX is a satellite internet constellation aiming to deliver high-speed broadband access to underserved communities, including rural areas. While still in its early stages, Starlink offers a promising solution for reaching remote locations where traditional terrestrial infrastructure is not feasible. 
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Collaboration between governments and telecom companies can leverage resources and expertise for efficient rural broadband deployment. For example, Spain boasts a 60.5% pass rate in rural areas. This success can be attributed to a key PPP initiative in 2015. Spain’s telecom regulator, CNMC, mandated that Telefonica, the national telecom giant, open its fiber infrastructure to competitors in most of the country. This policy change spurred significant investment from Vodafone, Orange, and other providers in rural fibre rollouts.  

Non-Profit Organisations: 

Digital Literacy Training: Equipping rural residents with the skills needed to effectively utilise broadband access is crucial. The World Wide Web Foundation is a global organisation working with local partners to develop digital literacy programs in underserved communities, including rural areas. These programs help residents navigate the online world confidently. 
Community Outreach: Raising awareness about the importance of bridging the digital divide and advocating for policies that promote rural broadband development is essential. The Rural Assembly, a US-based organisation, advocates for policies that promote rural development and economic opportunity. They raise awareness about the importance of broadband access in rural communities and advocate for government funding and regulatory reform to bridge the digital divide. 

Financial Institutions: 

Loan Programs: Financial institutions can offer loans with favourable terms to support rural telecom companies and entrepreneurs investing in broadband infrastructure. The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, provides loans and other financial instruments to support private sector development in developing countries. They have financed several projects related to rural broadband infrastructure development, offering loans with flexible terms to telecom companies operating in underserved areas. For example, the IFC partnered with Telecom Armenia to enhance high-speed broadband infrastructure, including in rural areas, fostering Armenia’s digital economy. 
Impact Investing: Creating investment vehicles that target rural broadband development attracts investors seeking both financial returns and positive social impact. The Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF), managed by Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners, is an impact investment fund that invests in rural infrastructure projects in emerging markets, including broadband infrastructure. The RIDF provides investors with the opportunity to earn competitive returns while also contributing to positive social and economic development in rural areas. 

By working together, governments, telecom companies, non-profit organizations, financial institutions, technology providers, and local communities can create a comprehensive strategy to bridge the digital divide. This collaborative effort will ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate in the digital world and reap the benefits of broadband connectivity. 

What does the near future look like for you? Do you have any exciting upcoming goals, projects or partnerships?

The future of bridging the global digital divide, particularly in rural regions, is brimming with potential. Here’s why we at IQGeo are optimistic: 

Momentum is Growing: Global recognition of the importance of digital inclusion is on the rise. Governments worldwide are allocating funds for rural broadband development, and innovative technologies are emerging to make deployments more efficient and cost-effective. This creates a fertile ground for progress in bringing connectivity to underserved areas. 

Collaboration is Key: We believe effective partnerships are crucial for success. By working closely with leading telecommunication companies and government agencies, we can combine expertise, resources, and innovative approaches to accelerate rural fibre rollouts. 

IQGeo’s Role: We’re dedicated to playing a pivotal role in making broadband a reality for everyone: 

Next-Gen Solutions: We’re developing cutting-edge geospatial software specifically designed for rural fiber network planning and deployment. These advanced tools can streamline processes, optimize infrastructure placement, and ultimately, expedite connectivity efforts. 
Real-World Implementation: We’re actively partnering with key players in the field to implement these advanced solutions in real-world rural broadband projects. This allows us to refine our technologies based on practical experience and ensure they deliver tangible results. 
Focus on Inclusivity: We’re committed to responsible and inclusive development. Our goal is to ensure everyone benefits from the digital world, regardless of location. 

Looking Ahead: Through collaboration and innovative solutions, we envision a future where rural communities enjoy the same level of connectivity as urban areas. This will unlock a wave of opportunities in education, healthcare, economic development, and social inclusion for all. We’re excited to be a part of making this vision a reality. 

News

In a joint statement alongside national newspaper the Yomiuri Shimbun, NTT said that the current lack of regulation surrounding Generative AI (GenAI) could be catastrophic for society

The rapid evolution of AI – particularly GenAI – over the last two years has been nothing short of remarkable. From the meteoric rise of Open AI and ChatGPT to the historic valuation of NVIDIA at $1.72 trillion earlier this year, rarely a tech news headline goes by without mentioning the disruptive technology in some form or another.

But while some believe the impact of GenAI to be somewhat overblown, others fear the technology could pose a fundamental threat to society. Intentionally or otherwise, GenAI frequently presets untruths with authority, increasingly creating an online environment in which it is difficult to tell fact from fiction. Indeed, some believe the internet is already being flooded with AI-generated content, often itself based upon other AI content.

Japanese telecoms giant NTT, it seems, falls firmly in this latter camp.

This week, the operator has released a joint statement with national newspaper the Yomiuri Shimbun proposing new regulations be introduced related to GenAI, based on joint research the duo conducted in autumn last year.

Noting challenges including AI “hallucinations, bias and toxicity, retraining through input data, infringement of rights through data scraping and the difficulty of judging created products”, the proposal argues that GenAI’s influence on society is already ‘out of control’.

“If generative AI is allowed to go unchecked, trust in society as a whole may be damaged as people grow distrustful of one another and incentives are lost for guaranteeing authenticity and trustworthiness. There is a concern that, in the worst-case scenario, democracy and social order could collapse, resulting in wars,” said the statement.

In particular, the study highlighted the impact that misinformation driven by AI could have on democracy and national security, arguing that “hard laws should be introduced without hesitation” in these areas to avoid “enormous and irreversible damage”.

“If we continue to be unable to sufficiently regulate generative AI — or if we at least allow the unconditional application of such technology to elections and security — it could cause enormous and irreversible damage as the effects of the technology will not be controllable in society. This implies a need for rigid restrictions by law (hard laws that are enforceable) on the usage of generative AI in these areas,” said the statement.

On the other hand, the proposal emphasised the need for flexible regulation, noting that that technology is evolving rapidly and will need a regulatory framework that could do likewise. It highlighted the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation, Digital Services Act, and Digital Markets Act as already beginning to build in AI safeguards in this regard. Other markets, however – including NTT’s home market of Japan – have made no such regulatory progress.

Alongside this regulatory overhaul, the proposal also argued for compulsory education in schools about AI usage and its associated risks, updates to copyright law, and effective labelling of AI-generated content.

Broadly speaking, NTT’s position on GenAI seems sensible. Misinformation on the internet was already rife even before the advent of GenAI and the slew of new content created by these new AI models will no doubt only exacerbate the situation. At the same time, the proposal recognises that this technology will play a role in improving productivity and enabling further innovation, hence a flexible, multifaceted approach to regulation will be required.

And, with major elections taking place in numerous countries this year – including the UK and the US – this regulation must be made a matter of priority sooner rather than later.

“The out-of-control relationship between AI and the attention economy has already damaged autonomy and dignity, which are essential values that allow individuals in our society to be free,” concluded the proposal. “If generative AI develops further and is left unchecked like it is currently, there is no denying that the distribution of malicious information could drive out good things and cause social unrest.”

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

Also in the news:
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Network builder Freedom Fibre has announced that they’ve begun the build phase of their £24m state aid supported Project Gigabit broadband rollout contract, which aims to upgrade connectivity for “around” 12,000 hard-to-reach homes and businesses across rural parts of North Shropshire (Lot 25.02) in England to their full fibre (FTTP) network.

The contract award was officially announced in May 2023 (here) and, since then, the operator has been busy conducting the usual pre-build engineering surveys and design work. The good news is that they finally entered the build phase for this in March 2024 and the rollout is expected to complete by the end of 2026 (extra credits to FF for being one of the few Project Gigabit schemes to actually confirm a completion target).

On the other hand, today’s announcement fails to say precisely where the deployment phase has begun its initial build. But the original announcement did name the communities of Cockshutt, Hinstock, High Ercall, Bomere Heath, Hadnall, Cheswardine and Clive. The prior announcement also indicated that the first properties could then start to go live from October 2024.

In addition to this, Freedom Fibre said they will connect an additional 60,000 premises, transforming broadband speeds and reliability for residents and businesses owners. The operator has also committed to a range of social value commitments, such as tree planting, volunteer days and financial support for good and green community projects.

Neil McArthur MBE, Chief Executive Officer of Freedom Fibre, said:

“We are delighted to be rolling out our lightning-fast, full-fibre network across North Shropshire. This investment will be transformational, unleashing so much potential for residents and businesses alike.”

Julia Lopez, Digital Infrastructure Minister, said:

“With a £24 million boost from the UK Government, North Shropshire is poised for a digital revolution. Lightning-fast, reliable broadband will connect thousands of rural homes and businesses, ushering in a new era of opportunity and economic growth for the region.

As part of Project Gigabit, we’re rolling out gigabit-capable networks faster than any other country in Europe, putting an end to buffering and bad connections. It’s great to see how our plan for better broadband is helping rural Shropshire transform, with huge leaps in available internet speeds now on their way to the most hard-to-reach homes and businesses”.

Once live, customers in areas that are due to benefit from this rollout will be able to take packages from a variety of ISPs, such as strategic partner TalkTalk and smaller players like the Fusion Fibre Group, Squirrel Internet and Link Broadband.

Network operator AllPoints Fibre (APFN / Fern Trading), which is the UK wholesale division of Fern Trading’s recently consolidate alternative FTTP broadband ISP networks (Giganet, Jurassic Fibre, and Swish Fibre), has appointed a new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) in the form of industry veteran Ronan Kelly.

Firstly, we don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that, in his former roles at network technology firm Adtran (most recently as EMEA CTO), Ronan Kelly – over a period of 14 long years – became one of the most recognisable and respected faces across the UK broadband industry. A lot of operators, from smaller players and all the way up to behemoths like Openreach, use Adtran’s kit and Ronan was often front and centre of that drive.

Suffice to say, it was quite a notable development when Ronan recently revealed – via his own LinkedIn profile (oddly, Fern/AllPoints Fibre still haven’t issued a press release) – that he had been appointed CTO of AllPoints Fibre.

Securing such a senior industry figure is somewhat of a scoop for the recently consolidated network operator and lends it a notable air of credibility. This is important because, post-consolidation, APFN has thus far been fairly vague when it comes to communicating their future network plans.

Fern Trading has so far only expressed a desire to “accelerate full fibre delivery over the next five years”, albeit without setting many clear targets. Not to mention the fallout after Cuckoo, which is due to act as the retail ISP outlet for the consolidated AFPN, suddenly booted many of its Openreach based FTTC/P customers to a rival internet provider (here).

Ronan Kelly, CEO of APF, said:

“On Monday [I joined] the exceptional team at AllPoints Fibre (APFN) where the 30 years experience I bring will be focused on making APFN “the most recommended way to connect” to the UK’s fantastic fibre infrastructure.

Thank you to everyone in my Adtran family for all the support and belief during this journey, and a most importantly to every single Adtran customer for placing your trust in us. I look forward to continuing all of these relationships as an Adtran customer, and a potential partner for many of Adtran’s customers, in addition to getting to know all the current vendors and partners supporting AllPoints Fibre so far.

This is going to be truly amazing.”

According to Fern Trading’s most recent annual report to June 2023 (here), the operator’s full fibre division is currently serving around 50,000 customers and building in over 100 locations in the UK (although we’ve not had any new build announcements in a long time). “We are on track to be able to deliver full fibre connectivity to 500,000 properties in those towns and villages,” said the report, without clarifying the timescale for this.

Meanwhile, the division has almost doubled its revenue year-on-year, from £9m in 2022 to £16m in the current year. But building a fibre network is capital intensive, which has thus far resulted in a “reported EBITDA loss” of £120m (2022: £56m loss), which is said to be “in line with expectations and reflects the development stage of the division” (this includes extraordinary costs of £13m associated with the recent restructure).

“As we build out these networks, the assets will be recognised on the balance sheet at cost which cannot include future value which is expected to be generated as the assets have been internally generated,” added the report.

Customers of Sky’s UK TV service can now get subscription-based video streaming service Hayu free for 3 months, included with their Sky package. The limited-time offer is provided by Sky VIP to celebrate the launch of Hayu on Sky Q, following on from the earlier launches of Hayu on Sky Stream and Sky Glass.

Sky Q customers can find the Hayu app in the dedicated apps section of the UI and also through the voice remote by saying “Hayu” to launch the app. With Sky VIP, customers can simply claim the offer on their device, through Sky Marketplace or by saying “Sky VIP Hayu” into their Sky remote.

Hayu is owned by NBCUniversal, a division of Comcast, and is the home to over 300 shows and 10,000 episodes of reality TV content – including world-renowned franchises and their spin-offs such as The Real Housewives, Million Dollar Listing, Below Deck and Vanderpump Rules. Hayu delivers complete box sets of all seasons in an ad-free environment.

T&Cs Apply:

– Offer period: 9 April 2024 to 8 May 2024.

– 3-month trial to Hayu is available to customers with a subscription to a Sky package at no extra cost.

– Sky (Sky Glass, Sky Stream and Sky Q) customers only.

– Cancel within the 3-month trial period to avoid being charged.

– One 3-month trial via Sky, per customer.

– After the 3-month trial period, subscription will automatically renew at £4.99/€5.99 per month unless cancelled. Cancel anytime.

– UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and ROI customers only.

– Sky customers require a separate Hayu account.

Alternative broadband provider LilaConnect, which following the recent VXFIBER acquisition is now part of UK network operator Freedom Fibre (here), has announced that they’ve expanded the live coverage of their existing full fibre (FTTP) networks in the Staffordshire (England) city of Stoke-on-Trent and the town of Leek.

According to the latest progress update, over the next twelve weeks more than 6,900 additional homes and businesses across Leek, as well as Etruria, Cliffe Vale and Shelton in Stoke-on-Trent, will be able to connect to LilaConnect’s gigabit full-fibre broadband network.

The expansion marks an important development for LilaConnect as it comes after the network’s previous owner, VXFIBER, suffered a number of redundancies last year and had to “pause further deployment[s] to focus on commercialising the fibre already laid” (here). But the Freedom Fibre merger changed all that, and the rollout is now expanding again.

The combined coverage of Freedom Fibre’s various open access Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband ISP networks is now 300,000 UK premises (up from 285k in Dec 2023).

Jan Lange, MD of LilaConnect, said:

“We are proud to be switching on the new LilaConnect gigabit full fibre network across additional premises in both Leek and Stoke-on-Trent. It will enable more businesses and residents in Staffordshire to take advantage of the best-in-class full-fibre internet connectivity, ensuring they can access a broadband service that’s not only lightning-fast, but stable, secure, and reliable. These are all essential features that help businesses to flourish and residents to thrive in today’s digital age.

This is the next step in our investment into the Staffordshire area. It’s a big leap forward in our progress to ensure that the whole region can benefit from first-class connectivity that is future-proofed for the decades to come.”

Residential customers can expect to pay from just £24.98 per month on a 24-month term for a 250Mbps speed broadband package (plus £49 one-off for installation), which rises to £34.98 per month for their 1Gbps package.

Interview

We spoke with Luis Uribe, the CTO of Entel, to share his experience and insights on the latest optical transport technology and how is digitally transforming Chile in F5G (Fixed 5th Generation)-Advanced era

Watch the full interview from the link below.

When it comes to digital services, Entel is a highly diverse telecoms company, offering mobile, fixed broadband, and enterprise services to customers throughout Chile and Peru.

“Our optical transport network builds a solid foundation for mobile services, broadband services, and enterprise leased line services. It offers ultra-large bandwidth, ultra-low latency, and simplified architecture to meet business requirements for up to a decade. It is an essential part of Entel’s strategy,” said Uribe.

But as the demand for these digital services increases, so too does the pressure on the network to be faster, more resilient, and more powerful. Networks must evolve to meet these increased demands and, as such, last year ETSI released its F5G-Advanced standard, a shift that will take existing networks capable of 200G networks to 400G and even 800G.

In fact, Entel’s own backbone network in Chile is closely mirroring this evolution. Launching their 10G Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) system back in 2005, Entel began upgrading the network to 100G nationwide in 2017, and 200G in the capital area in 2022. Now, they are launching the country’s first 800G optical network.

“In the future, we will not only build out the 400G/800G backbone network to cover the whole country,” said Uribe. “We believe a green all-optical architecture will help us to build the best fixed broadband and mobile broadband services in Chile.”

The deployment of this 800G network – known as the Galileo Project within Entel itself – will provide a solid foundation upon which Chile can develop as a digital economy, in line with the government’s 2035 Digital Strategy.

“This deployment will provide state-of-the-art network coverage in all major cities from Arica to Puerto Montt with capacities of up to Nx800 Gbps in 1+0, 1+1, 1+R, and 1+1+R redundant. It is prepared to deliver high-capacity with very high availability, up to 99.999%,” explained Uribe. “This will be present at the national level including extreme areas. Entel believes Chile’s 2035 digital transformation will rely on such high capacity, nation-wide coverage, and ultra-high reliability network.”

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Broadband poles no problem for Brits says new study

The first government-funded rural 4G (mobile broadband) mast upgrades for England have today been completed in the market town of Keswick (Cumbria), which forms part of the industry-led £1bn Shared Rural Network (SRN) project with EE (BT), Vodafone, Three UK and O2 (Virgin Media). A further 82 masts in England are also set for upgrades.

The SRN – supported by £501m of public funding and £532m from operators – involves both the reciprocal sharing of existing masts in certain areas and the demand-led building and sharing of new masts in others between the operators (MNO). The target is to extend geographic 4G coverage (aggregate) to 95% of the UK by the end of 2025, which falls to 84% when only considering the areas where you’ll be able to take 4G from all providers.

Most of the early work on the SRN has involved private investment from the main mobile network operators, although in recent months we’ve also seen government-funded mast upgrades taking place in other parts of the UK, such as Scotland (here), where public investment of £75m is being used to upgrade 120 sites. Similarly, 86 sites in Wales are following by the same example (here).

Today it’s England‘s turn, where public investment under the SRN will be used to upgrade 83 masts with 4G signals. Rural towns and villages in the Lake District are the first to benefit from this, starting with sites in the Cumbrian market town of Keswick. As a result, dozens of local businesses and community organisations in areas including Naddle, Thirlmere and St Johns-in-the-Vale, can now take advantage of better connectivity.

The masts reflect existing sites that have been upgraded to deliver 4G over a wider area. This element of the SRN sees the government (DSIT) providing a total of £184m from the £500m public SRN funding to the Home Office and mobile network operators to help upgrade Extended Area Service (EAS) masts being built as part of the Emergency Services Network (ESN), which helps to eliminate total not-spot areas.

Previously, only EE customers and anyone making 999 calls could benefit from these masts, but now the same will be true for Vodafone, O2 and Three UK.

Julia Lopez, UK Digital Infrastructure Minister, said:

“We’re dialling up fast and reliable mobile coverage across the UK through the Shared Rural Network. Our latest upgrade in the Lake District is one of many we’re working hard to deliver as part of our mission to clamp down on the headache of mobile ‘not spots’.

The coverage boost will provide endless benefits for communities and visitors, ensuring people stay connected on the go, enabling people to work more efficiently and attracting vital investment to the rural economy.”

Since the Shared Rural Network programme began in 2020, an additional 13,000 sq km – roughly the size of Northern Ireland or two million football pitches – have been able to receive coverage from all four operators. The government and the UK’s four mobile network operators ultimately aim to provide coverage to an additional 280,000 premises and 16,000km of the UK’s roads.

Meanwhile, the £532m being committed by mobile operators is largely intended to target partial ‘not spots’, where customers can only access 4G if they’re signed up with a mobile network operator that is active in the area.

The progress, while positive, follows after the National Audit Office (NAO) confirmed that Three UK, Vodafone and O2 are “each likely to miss their Ofcom licence obligation to provide 88% 4G coverage by June 2024” (this reflects the first target for tackling Partial Not-Spot (PNS) areas) and have requested to “discuss an 18-month extension to the PNS element of the programme” (here) – EE has already achieved the target (here).

After that, Ofcom has also set a deadline for improvements in Total Not-Spot (TNS) areas of early 2027, which is currently not being affected by the delays. Just to be clear, Ofcom’s licence obligations commit each individual operator to increase its 4G coverage to 88% of UK landmass by June 2024 – and to 90% by January 2027 – with these individual obligations supporting the overall target of 95% by December 2025.

News

Both Viettel and Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) won 5G licences, allowing them to move from trials to full commercialisation

Vietnam’s journey towards commercial 5G has been a bumpy one. Despite arguably being one of the leaders in the technology around 2020 through various technical projects, commercial deployment has been heavily delayed due to multiple failed spectrum auctions. In fact, the country’s Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) had not successfully auctioned spectrum for roughly 15 years.

Thankfully, this trend has finally come to and end, with the MIC announcing the successful conclusion of two 5G spectrum auction processes.

The auctions themselves took place last month and saw Viettel win a licence in the 2.5–2.6 GHz band, while VNPT win a licence in the 3.7–3.8 GHz band.

The funds raised from the auctions were not announced, but the reserve prices were set at $166.6 million and $81.25 million for the licences, respectively.

A third auction, offering spectrum in the 3.8–3.9 GHz band also took place at the end of the month, but this licence went unsold due to lack of interest.

“The auction marked a historical milestone, as this was the first time it was implemented under the new regulations. It is important for the industry and we expect to open a new era for 5G,” said Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Huy Dung.

The auction was open to all prospective bidders, not only the country’s telcos, but new entrants were considered unlikely due to the highly competitive nature of the market and the relative lack of 5G device penetration.

As part of the licencing agreements, both operators will be expected to launch commercial 5G services within a year, with the government seeking for coverage to be increased to 99% of the population by 2030, delivering a minimum of 100 Mbps data rates.

Viettel has said it will seek to launch services “as soon as possible”.

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

Also in the news:
Digi Spain sells 6m FTTH accesses to Onivia
Vodafone’s 5G standalone network now connects around half the German population
Broadband poles no problem for Brits says new study