Infracapital-backed internet provider Fibrus, which is rolling out a 10Gbps capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband network across Northern Ireland and parts of North England (Cumbria), has today become the latest UK ISP to introduce a cheaper social tariff for those on state benefits (“Full Fibre Essential“). The new Full Fibre Essential package costs just £14.99 per […]

BT (EE) has today announced the outcome of their recent 5G based mobile network slicing trial at their Adastral Park facility. The trial showed how future products could be launched that establish optimised network connections specifically for online Gaming, Enterprise and Enhance Mobile Broadband (eMBB) services. Just for a bit of context, 5G based Network […]

Customers of Sky UK’s sibling NOW Broadband ISP sub-brand, which is perhaps better known for its associated NOW TV streaming service, may be pleased to know that the provider has finally launched a full fibre (FTTP) package on Openreach’s network. But there’s only one option and to get it you’ll be re-directed to Sky Broadband. […]

News

The breach was seemingly caused inadvertently by a fellow staff member

This week, US mobile giant Verizon has informed authorities that the personal data of 63,206 people – primarily the company’s own employees – have been compromised by a data breach. This represents the data of roughly half of the company’s 117,000 workers.

The breach occurred on September 21 last year and was only detected on December 12, almost three months later.

While the specifics surrounding what caused the breach were not revealed, Verizon said it believed “inadvertent disclosure” and “insider wrongdoing” were the cause of the breach.

According to the operator’s report, the data compromised during the attack included employees’ names, addresses, Social Security Number or other national identifier (if available), gender, union affiliation (if applicable), date of birth, and compensation information.

However, it appears none of this data has been shared with external sources.

“[On Sept. 21], a Verizon employee obtained a file containing certain employee personal information without authorization and in violation of company policy,” explained Verizon in a sample letter to victims filed with the Maine attorney general’s office. “Promptly after learning of the issue [on Dec. 12], we conducted a review. […] At this time, we have no evidence that this information has been misused or shared outside of Verizon as a result of this issue.”

Verizon says work is ongoing to better understand the cause of the breach and to improve internal security.

The company has also implemented a two-year identity theft protection and credit monitoring service, details of which have been sent to impacted employees.

This data breach is Verizon’s second major security scandal in the past year, with 7.5 million of the company’s wireless subscribers having their data leaked on the Dark Web.

Want to keep up to date with the latest telecoms news from the US market? Join the telcos in discussion at this year’s Connected America conference live in Dallas, Texas

Also in the news:
EU telcos join forces against Gigabit Infrastructure Act
Jio releases ‘Jio Brain’ AI platform
Ofcom issues further crackdown on spoof phonecalls

News

Reports suggest that the government’s €750 million offer for TIM’s submarine cable unit will be rejected, with the operator seeking a better offer

Last week, the Italian government reportedly made a bid to acquire 100% of TIM’s submarine cable unit Sparkle. While the financial details of the bid were not revealed, reports suggested that it valued the business at up to €750 million.

Today, further reports suggest that this bid is set to be rejected by TIM, with the company’s directors set to seek a higher offer for its subsea assets.

According to anonymous sources within TIM, the company believes Sparkle to be worth €850 million.

Sparkle itself currently owns and operates around 600,000km of submarine cable infrastructure, as well as supporting assets like cable landing stations and data centres. These assets are viewed as critical infrastructure by the Italian government, which has had designs on purchasing part of all of the business since the Meloni government took charge at the end of 2022.

TIM sold its fixed line network assets to US private equity firm KKR for €22 billion back in November, with Sparkle notably excluded due to the government’s interest in these assets.

Negotiations over Sparkle’s future are expected to continue this week, with sources suggesting that TIM may also seek to retain a minority share in the business as part of the settlement, as well as a higher price tag.

Want to keep up with all the latest news from the submarine cable community? Join the discussion at Submarine Networks EMEA, the world’s largest subsea communications event

Also in the news:
EU telcos join forces against Gigabit Infrastructure Act
Jio releases ‘Jio Brain’ AI platform
Ofcom issues further crackdown on spoof phonecalls

Viewpoint Article

By Hema Kadia, founder and CEO of TeckNexus

As the technological landscape continually evolves, the advent of 5G has marked a significant shift in communication and networking capabilities. This latest iteration of mobile network technology has opened new horizons, particularly in private networks. These networks, distinct and secure, are rapidly becoming crucial across various industries, offering tailored solutions that address specific organizational needs.

The flexibility and advanced features of private 5G networks, such as enhanced security and customized network control, are increasingly recognized as vital for strategic advancement in sectors ranging from manufacturing to healthcare. This growing trend underscores the importance of private networks in leveraging the full potential of 5G technologies to meet unique industrial demands.

The rise of private 5G networks

The rise of private 5G networks reflects a growing trend towards specialized, high-performance connectivity solutions tailored to organizational needs. These networks provide many advantages over traditional public networks, primarily in terms of security, reliability, and network control. Private 5G networks offer the bandwidth and low latency needed for critical applications, ensuring uninterrupted, high-speed connectivity crucial in sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics.

John Deere’s implementation of a private 5G network in its manufacturing operations is a standout example of this innovation. This move has revolutionized how they manage data and operate machinery. By leveraging private 5G, John Deere has achieved enhanced operational efficiency, with secure and reliable connectivity facilitating real-time data transfer and analysis, leading to improved decision-making and productivity. This case study exemplifies the transformative impact private 5G networks can have, setting a benchmark for other companies in various industries looking to harness the power of advanced network technologies.

Applications across industry verticals

The practical applications of private 5G networks across various industries are increasingly evident:

Manufacturing: Companies like John Deere are utilizing private 5G networks for more efficient real-time monitoring and automation in manufacturing processes. This approach helps in reducing downtime and improving production line efficiency.
Healthcare: Private 5G networks in healthcare are enhancing patient care through improved telemedicine capabilities and secure, rapid transfer of medical data, supporting efficient patient management and care.
Transportation: Private 5G networks assist in better vehicle and cargo tracking, contributing to improved logistics management and route optimization.
Education: Educational institutions are beginning to use private 5G networks to support immersive learning experiences and virtual classrooms, offering high-bandwidth, low-latency connections necessary for interactive educational tools.
Mining: Private 5G networks aid in remote equipment operation and real-time data analysis, leading to safer and more efficient mining operations.
Sports and Events Venues: These venues are adopting private 5G for enhanced visitor experiences, including augmented reality features and seamless streaming of live events.
Public Safety/Smart Cities: Private 5G networks contribute to smarter city infrastructure, improving public safety through enhanced surveillance and emergency response capabilities.

Each of these sectors is finding unique and practical ways to integrate private 5G networks, enhancing operational efficiency and user experiences. The 5G Magazine – Private Networks edition offers a range of applications across industries, which can be explored further here.

Benefits of private networks

Private 5G networks offer several key benefits:

Enhanced Security: They provide robust security features, enabling controlled access and protection from external threats.
High Reliability: Private 5G networks ensure stable and reliable connectivity, which is essential for critical operations in various industries.
Customized Network Control: Organizations can tailor network infrastructure to their specific requirements, optimizing resource use.
Improved Bandwidth Management: These networks efficiently manage bandwidth, reducing congestion and ensuring smoother operation.
Low Latency: Private 5G networks offer low latency, crucial for real-time applications and processes.
Scalability: They can be scaled per the organization’s evolving needs.

These advantages make private 5G networks valuable for businesses seeking efficient, secure, and reliable communication solutions.

Challenges and solutions

Implementing private 5G networks comes with its own set of challenges. One of the primary challenges is the initial cost and complexity of setting up the infrastructure. This includes the need for specialized hardware and the integration of existing systems with the new network. Another challenge is ensuring continuous and comprehensive coverage, especially in complex industrial environments.

Companies like John Deere are addressing these challenges by carefully planning their network architecture to align with specific operational needs. They are investing in robust infrastructure that ensures coverage and reliability. Additionally, they are leveraging partnerships with technology providers to manage the complexity and cost of deployment, ensuring a seamless integration of 5G capabilities into their existing operations. This approach mitigates the initial challenges and sets a foundation for long-term operational efficiency and innovation.

Future outlook and trends

Expanding on the future outlook and trends of private 5G networks, industry experts predict a landscape where these networks become integral to business operations across sectors. The increased need for efficient, high-speed, and secure connectivity will likely drive innovations, especially in IoT, AI, and cloud technologies.

As industries like manufacturing, healthcare, and smart cities increasingly rely on the Internet of Things (IoT) and data analytics, private 5G networks will be crucial in supporting these technologies with the required speed and reliability.

In conclusion, the strategic importance of private networks in the current technological era cannot be overstated. They are key to unlocking the full potential of 5G in various sectors, offering bespoke solutions that cater to specific operational needs.

For those keen on exploring this topic further, download the 5G Magazine – Private Networks edition, which offers in-depth insights into the advancements, challenges, and real-world applications of these networks, providing a comprehensive view of their evolving role in the global technology landscape.

How is 5G changing the US connectivity landscape when it comes to enterprise? Join the ecosystem in discussion at this year’s Connected America conference live in Dallas, Texas

Also in the news:
EU telcos join forces against Gigabit Infrastructure Act
Jio releases ‘Jio Brain’ AI platform
Ofcom issues further crackdown on spoof phonecalls

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Broadband ISP Virgin Media (VMO2) has this morning announced that they’ve become the first “major” UK internet provider to publicly launch a residential 2Gbps broadband package (Gig2 Full Fibre). On top of that, they’re also introducing symmetrical download and upload speeds across all of their speed tiers, as an optional add-on. Breaking news.. more to […]

Low-cost focused ISP TalkTalk has this week confirmed recent news reports by officially announcing that they’ve acquired Shell Energy’s UK broadband customer base from Octopus Energy, albeit for an as yet undisclosed sum. At the last count, Shell was believed to be hosting a total base of 480,000 internet and phone users. In case anybody […]

Mobile network analyst firm Streetwave has today published the results of a new real-world benchmark, which examined the mobile operator performance of EE (BT), O2 (Virgin Media), Vodafone and Three UK across the country’s capital city of London. Suffice to say that EE came out top for mobile broadband speeds and network coverage. Streetwave typically […]