A new survey of residents in housing schemes across Hastings (East Sussex), which was jointly conducted by altnet ISP Lightning Fibre, the Orbit Housing Association and the Complete Technology Group, has revealed a “stark lack of awareness” of what full fibre broadband is (51% had little to no understanding and 87% of residents wanted to […]

Insight 

At Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona last month, we caught up with Adrian Baschnonga, EY’s Global (Technology, Media and Telecom) TMT Lead Analyst, to get his insights into the top trends of this year’s event

Having covered the telco sector for a long time coming to his first MWC in 2001, Adrian highlights the importance of events like this to be able to “take the pulse” of the industry. 

One of Adrian’s key takeaways of the event this year is the importance of ecosystems and partnerships, “detecting in comparison to previous years, a lot more openness in terms of collaboration and companies willing to work with each other. 

But it never used to be like this. Why does he think this has changed?  

“Because these days, no single company has all the competencies that their customers need, so bringing someone else in is essential, particularly when it’s an enterprise customer and they are looking at buying different technologies,” he says. “For example, if you’re providing 5G or IoT to a business, customers might want AI or analytics as part of that, so partnering would mean providing multiple services more easily.”

Every year, EY conduct the “Reimagining Industry Futures Study”, which aims to find out what do businesses want from emerging technologies (such as IoT, 5G, AI, or edge computing etc), and importantly, what do they think of the providers of those technologies. 

It’s there to get an enterprise customer perspective. What they are finding, is that business are investing in these technologies, and how do they combine these technologies together to create value and provide an integrated service portfolio. 

 Last year, EY published a list of its top 10 predicted risks for 2024, and concerns around security and privacy came up top. The list was an amalgamation of all the research that Adrian does. What is coming out from this research, is that telcos are trusted when it comes to protecting data, but when it comes “newer” things such as AI, they are asking questions on issues like data ethics, and so the bar on telcos having to protect their network and cyber resilience is raised.  

“It’s a consequence of the fact there is lot of technology change, coupled with the fact that telcos have got a decent track record, but they are having to spend increasing amounts on research on dealing with potential cyber breaches, so data and security is top of the agenda at the moment. 

Regardless of whether or not AI can be regarded as “new”, it was one of the main hot topics at the event that everyone was talking about. Underneath the shiny PR, how can telcos utilise it to its full extent? 

Adrian spoke on how AI has been around for a while, but Generative AI is newer. What EY are finding, is that a lot of companies are trying to find a way to harness the latest version of AI (Gen AI) within their preexisting transformation frameworks, that already have a measure of AI in them already. “They want to take this baby step approach to adaption rather than radical adoption. This is the key thing in at the moment – how do they include these exciting new technologies into their business models in a phased and structured way?” 

“How do they bring AI into their network, to improve energy efficiency for example, or to automate customer interaction. And choosing which ones are easiest to adopt right now versus which require some more work?” he continued. 

Bringing the conversation closer to home, Adrian discussed the current economic climate in the UK, the cost-of-living crisis in the UK, and how this is impacting competitiveness amongst telcos. 

The current cost of living crisis in the UK asks questions about the pricing models that telcos have. Customers want to see more pricing predictability, (according to recent EY research, 80% of people). They want more fixed priced guarantees, in a market where prices typically increase year on year. 

So, there is scope for operators to be more flexible, and transparent in how they are communicating their price, in exact number and not percentages. It’s all about how they can align to changing customer expectations. 

Going forward, customers may look for flexibility, such as pay as you go models. But it will be up to service providers to bring simplicity to their customers – and get rid of the advertising asterisks!  

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

Also in the news:
BT wins £26m contract to connect UK schools
Apple fined €1.8bn by European Commission over Spotify row
Japan to reduce regulatory pressure on incumbent NTT

News

The Port of Tyne, one of the UK’s leading deep-sea ports, has been awarded a £1.159 million contract to launch 5G-enabled ‘smart port’ operations

The project, announced this week in partnership with South Tyneside Council, aims to boost the port’s reputation for innovation within the maritime industry. It will see 5G cameras and Internet of Things (IoT) sensors installed to monitor the port estate and support its drive to go all-electric.

The funding, secured as part of The Department for Science Innovation and Technology (DSIT) ‘5G Innovation Regions (5GIR)’ £37M grant, is a testament to the collaborative effort of the seven North East local authorities (LA7),  who together, secured over £3.7 million to support four pioneering 5G and advanced wireless connectivity projects across the North East. These initiatives align with the regional digital strategy, leveraging the unique strengths of the region.

The four projects are:

5G-enabled port operations
Connected Intelligent Transport Systems
5G-Enabled event production and 360º live broadcasting
Advanced wireless sensor technology on farms

The North East’s inaugural 5GIR project aims to drive innovation and unlock opportunities for economic growth through making use of world-class digital infrastructure.

The 5G Port of Tyne project will demonstrate how better digital connectivity can help to drive growth. It will involve 5G cameras and IoT sensors to inspect the port estate, boosting efficiency and reducing fuel usage.

The project will serve as a blueprint for the future of port operations, harnessing the power of 5G technology to optimize efficiency, enhance safety, and reduce environmental impact. Through the implementation of 5G cameras and IoT sensors, the Port aims to streamline port estate inspections, minimise fuel consumption, and bolster sustainability efforts, setting a new standard for operational excellence across the maritime sector.

Key benefits of the Port’s transition to a 5G port, include increased competitiveness, faster data transfer speeds, low latency communication, enhanced automation and robotics, improved safety and security, remote operations, and environmental monitoring.

Commenting on the announcement, Dr Jo North, Director of Technology and Transformation at Port of Tyne, said: “We have already invested in a port-wide private 5G network, and this contract will further enhance our capacity to implement innovative opportunities for sustainable growth, benefiting the communities in North and South Tyneside.”

Jo added: “Streamlined operations, improved safety and sustainability are just a few of the benefits this project will bring. Seamless connectivity will enable us to link shipping companies, logistics providers and regulatory bodies from across the globe, leading to more effective collaborations to address global challenges such as climate change and cybersecurity threats.”

Leader of South Tyneside Council, Councillor Tracey Dixon, said: “This milestone represents a significant step forward in our Council’s commitment to innovation, efficiency and sustainability.

“Connecting residents to jobs is one of the five key ambitions of our 2023-2043 South Tyneside Vision, with the intention that residents will have access to good quality jobs, skills and learning. This project will help to grow the Port, maritime and creative industries across the region, offering more employment opportunities for residents.

Patrick Melia, Chief Executive at Sunderland City Council and digital lead officer for the new North East Combined Authority, added: “We are delighted to be leading on this project, the first of four projects as an official Innovation Region, and utilising our experience of rolling out 5G networks to enhance operations, competitiveness, and opportunities at the Port.

“This is not just of significance to the Port and the wider North East region in establishing a national centre of excellence for the development and adoption of 5G, but also to the wider industry to accelerate the economic, social and wellbeing impact of advanced digital connectivity through rapid adoption and scale-up across key sectors.”

Join Patrick Melia, Chief Executive of Sunderland City Council at this year’s Connected North event 22-23 April in Manchester – secure your tickets now!

Also in the news:
BT wins £26m contract to connect UK schools
Apple fined €1.8bn by European Commission over Spotify row
Japan to reduce regulatory pressure on incumbent NTT

The FTTH Council Europe has today published their 2024 ranking of 39 European countries (EU39) with the strongest take-up and growth of gigabit-capable “full fibre” (FTTP/B) broadband ISP networks, which sees the UK rise several places in the ranking and a prediction that we’ll hit 29.6 million homes passed by 2029 (up from 17.1m today). […]

Insight

“What does a truly connected America look like and how do we get there?” – Connected America 2024 

With continued commitments from industry and historic levels of federal broadband funding, a truly connected America is finally within reach. How we get there – and how successful we are at achieving this goal – will depend on the decisions our policymakers make with these investments.  

Federal and state policymakers must make wise, forward-thinking choices with broadband investments.  

We have already made tremendous progress to bridge the country’s digital divide. The cable industry alone has invested more than $310 billion in infrastructure and networks over the last 20 years. Forty million new U.S. homes subscribed to broadband between 2016 and 2021. 89% of American homes and businesses now have access to gigabit-speed service and 95% of U.S. customers have multiple choices for wired or wireless broadband. 

More work, however, must be done to connect the 8 million Americans still without internet access. These are people who live predominantly in our country’s hardest-to-reach, rural areas, where nearly 1 in 5 rural Americans remain unconnected.  

The $42 billion in Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program funds provides us the once-in-a-generation opportunity to close this rural broadband gap. Just as important are the decisions that both federal and state policymakers make with these investments. The success, or failure, of the program will depend on it.  

Every day, internet service providers (ISPs) face countless challenges when building out networks to unserved, rural communities, ranging from tough terrains to bureaucratic contracting rules. ISPs do not need additional, unnecessary barriers – whether physical or regulatory – that make it even more difficult to build out broadband networks.  

Federal agencies need to refrain from enacting policies that will slam the breaks on progress before BEAD fully ramps up. Heavy handed regulation will create uncertainty, depress provider participation, and jeopardise the intent of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  

On the state level, policymakers must ensure that they are prepared to maximise – not mismanage – the massive sums of BEAD funding coming their way to extend connectivity. They can do so by:  

Encouraging participation and robust competition among experienced providers. 

Removing obstacles that slow deployment like unreasonable terms for access to utility poles. 
Prioritising directing grants first to communities still awaiting any service, before being funneled to areas that already have internet access or are already scheduled to receive access. 

Public-Private Partnerships: Proven Success in Extending Networks On-Time & On-Budget  

Additionally, leaders should leverage the expertise and resources of the private sector. With hundreds of projects already underway and many more to begin in the coming years, the cable industry has a longstanding track record of building out the networks on-time and on-budget. These are the 10G future-ready networks that are transforming communities and powering innovation. Our massive team of skilled professionals are equipped with the technical, managerial, and financial expertise needed to not only build these networks, but to maintain and upgrade them through decades to come.  

 *** 

The cable industry stands ready to build out our networks to reach as many Americans as possible and help the Administration bring “Internet for All.” Together, we can – and will – get the job done.   

Learn more about NCTA – the Internet & Television Association’s efforts to connect every American here.  

Broadband ISP Virgin Media UK (VMO2) has today announced that more than 13,000 additional homes and businesses in the Cathedral City of York (North Yorkshire, England) can now access their new 2Gbps speed Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network, which was made possible by nexfibre’s network expansion. York is only the latest in a long list of VMO2 […]

The Scottish Government and the Building Digital UK (BDUK) agency have quietly revealed that they intend to publish the first official contract notice for the Project Gigabit broadband rollout scheme in Scotland, starting this month. Some £450m has already been allocated (here) to help this project spread 1Gbps speeds across rural Scotland. At present, around […]

Vodafone has reaffirmed its commitment to providing 5G Standalone (5GSA) tech to nearly 90% of Scotland’s landmass by 2034 as a result of its proposed merger with Three UK. The operator also commits to exceeding the UK Government’s Shared Rural Network target of bringing 4G to 74% of Scotland’s geography by pushing it to over […]

Broadband operator Netomnia (YouFibre) has revealed that their 10Gbps capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network, which recently covered 850,000 UK premises (up from 730k in Nov 2023), is currently planned to reach 1.5 million premises next year. But they also hold a tentative ambition to push that up to 2 million by the end of 2025. The […]

News

The move will begin on 1st April this year 

Belgian cable operator Telenet, which is wholly owned by Liberty Global, has announced that it will enter into the energy market in April as it launches its new service “Blossom”, which will be used for the installation and running of at home charging stations for electric cars. 

Blossom will be spun out as separate company under the Telenet group, which will initially focus on focus on installing and activating smart charging stations for the employees of companies, with private customers coming later. 

According to Telenet, there will be 1.7 million electric vehicles on the road in Belgium by 2030 with 65% of vehicle charging done at home. The estimate that 800,000 home charging stations will be installed by the end of the decade, but currently, say Telenet, the user experience is not adequate. 

The ambition behind the project is clear. According to a press release, Telenet aims for Blossom to “to become an ally to customers in the energy transition by providing innovative and simple home solutions. Specifically, Blossom will start offering a service to smartly charge electric vehicles at home. Initially, the focus will lie on the corporate market. In a later phase, Blossom will also offer charging services directly to self-employed workers and private customers.” 

Blossom will partner with Scoptvision, Optimile, and Unit-T, amongst others, to launch the company. 

“By placing renewed emphasis on the ongoing digitization of our society, as well as the rapid electrification of our mobility, we can optimize both the installation and management of home charging stations through a unique digital platform,” said Telenet CEO John Porter. “This way, we can simplify the lives of both employees and employers and create a win-win for both parties,” he continued. 

Parent company Liberty Global launched a similar service in the UK in 2022 with a venture called “Egg”. The service will, amongst other things, provide subscription-based electric vehicle charging. The subscription model had not been available in the UK before, and Liberty Global say “customers benefit from ongoing maintenance and technical support, all included in a monthly £30 fee and without any up-front fees”. 

This is a great example of a company in the broadband and telco industry going beyond their usual connectivity realm – and is the type of thing we’re looking for to win “The Beyond Connectivity” award at this year’s World Communication Awards – held in London this December.  

The winner of this award will have developed a product or service that moves beyond the traditional connectivity-based offerings, into new business areas or new market segments – enter now! 

Also in the news:
BT wins £26m contract to connect UK schools
Apple fined €1.8bn by European Commission over Spotify row
Japan to reduce regulatory pressure on incumbent NTT