The Greater Manchester town of Urmston, which is home to a population of around 42,000, has been announced as being the next UK location to benefit from Freedom Fibre‘s rollout of a new gigabit-capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband ISP network. At present Freedom Fibre, which is being support by ISP TalkTalk, is already deploying across various […]

Mobile operator and broadband ISP Virgin Media (VMO2) has opened applications for 125 field engineer apprenticeship positions to help rollout their full fibre (FTTP) and 5g mobile networks across the UK. Most of the positions will be filled in London, Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham, Glasgow and Leicester. The move is part of last year’s commitment to […]

Broadband ISP TalkTalk Business appears to have joined the Black Friday discounts by giving away the first three months of service for free to new customers across all of their various Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) packages, which offer download speeds of between 80Mbps and up to 900Mbps+. All of the provider’s packages include unlimited usage, UK support […]

A new research report from investment bank Numis, which was pieced together by analyst John Karid, has revealed some useful information about Cityfibre’s £5bn project to deploy a new gigabit-capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband ISP network across the UK and their perspective on overbuild and prices vs Openreach (BT) etc. Just to recap. Cityfibre (CF) currently […]

Customers of global ISP Starlink (SpaceX), which operates a mega constellation of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) based ultrafast broadband satellites, have been informed that they will become subject to a 1000GB (1 TeraByte) data cap from December via a new Fair Usage Policy (FUP). But it hasn’t been confirmed for the UK.. yet. The Starlink […]

A growing number of UK broadband providers, particularly those that are building alternative Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) networks, are growing concerned that they won’t be able to meet Ofcom’s April 2023 deadline for the introduction of the new One Touch Switch (OTS) ISP migration system. Delays look inevitable. Just to recap. At present switching between Internet Service […]

NEWS

In 2020 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) agreed to open up the 1.2GHz of spectrum covering the 6GHz band (5.925–7.125GHz) for unlicensed use. This promised the potential to help improve rural connectivity, by enabling Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 standards to deliver better (gigabit-plus) speeds, more simultaneous connections, and better security.

However, this same spectrum is already used by other applications in the US, supporting utilities, public safety, and wireless backhaul services.

The FCC’s work around was to treat standard power and low power Wi-Fi differently. Standard home or office low power could use the entire 6GHz band as it was unlikely to cause interference, whilst standard power – used for example in outdoor applications – needed a way to ensure it didn’t interfere with existing microwave systems.

Now the FCC has conditionally approved thirteen automated frequency coordination (AFC) systems to manage spectrum access for unlicensed devices in the 6GHz band.

Essentially standard-power applications use an AFC system to consult a database of existing 6GHz users, their location, frequencies used, and signal coverage to ensure there is no clash with existing systems before transmitting.

The proposed suppliers are: Broadcom; Google; Comsearch; Sony Group; Kyrio; Key Bridge Wireless; Nokia Innovations; Federated Wireless; Wireless Broadband Alliance; Wi-Fi Alliance (WFA); Qualcomm; Plume Design; and RED Technologies. Each will be required to conduct lab and public testing to assess the AFC system’s functionality.

FCC chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel commented: ‘American businesses and households rely on Wi-Fi for work, school, access to healthcare, and connecting with friends and family. We are moving forward on our plan to open doors for next generation, faster, better Wi-Fi – including Wi-Fi 6E and laying the groundwork for Wi-Fi 7. This is good news and real progress.’

The use of blended technologies for rural connectivity will be discussed at Connected America. Join us in Dallas on the 28-29 March 2023

The post Wi-fly: could AFC improve rural connectivity? first appeared on Total Telecom.

PRESS RELEASE

The global telecom solution provider Neterra built and launched a new, fast and secure fiber metro network in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. It covers the entire capital, including all important business centers, central streets, and boulevards.

Through it, the company offers Internet for business, protection from DDoS attacks, other connectivity services, and media streaming. Qualified engineers are responsible for maintenance and provide technical support 24*7.

Neterra’s new network has several major advantages compared to the networks of other operators. It is the only fiber network that reaches all the data centers in Sofia, enters them, and connects them. This includes both Neterra’s data centers and those of other operators.

Another benefit is that cables are run deeper underground and in protected conduits to prevent risks of outages.
The company uses the most modern and high-quality equipment for the Sofia fibre metro network – from cables to optical distribution frames (ODF) and connectors. As a result, the connection is of exceptional quality.

In the capital of Bulgaria, Neterra maintains over 550 active business services and consciously invests in reliable components.

Thanks to the large capacities set in advance, Neterra’s metro network is expected to meet the needs of businesses in Sofia for years to come.

At the same time, it is connected to the Bulgarian core fiber network of the company, which connects all major Bulgarian cities such as Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Burgas, Plovdiv, Ruse.

The post Neterra launched a new fiber metro network in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria first appeared on Total Telecom.

PRESS RELEASE

Arelion, formerly Telia Carrier, today announced that it has added a new diverse, high-capacity transmission route connecting Boston to Secaucus, providing its customers with resilient connectivity and fast delivery that bypasses common routes going direct through Long Island and Manhattan. By providing backhaul to the Amitié sea cable system through its fifth trans-Atlantic cable route, Arelion establishes Boston as a DWDM service market and empowers companies, including financial services organizations, with diverse connection options and seamless terabit scale capability across multiple cables connecting into landing stations in the US and Europe.

With this new route, Arelion’s customers will have additional, flexible routing diversity solutions for trans-Atlantic traffic that serves their unique needs through one scalable, end-to-end solution backed by the operator’s world-class customer service and global reach.

Arelion’s project will address the need for seamless connectivity that avoids dense metropolitan centers, providing financial services companies and customers in other sectors with diverse trans-Atlantic connection options, including 400GE wavelength services, and enhanced access to Arelion’s established ecosystem of content, security and cloud providers.

The new route will offer connectivity in the US to Arelion’s 150+ Points-of-Presence (PoPs) and EU terrestrial extensions to customer end points. The Amitié cable system is expected to go live in Q2 2023 and has a trans-Atlantic capacity of over 320Tbps, connecting Boston in the US to Slough (UK) and Bordeaux (FR) in Europe.

Additional insights on Arelion’s new transmission route:

Metro connectivity in Boston will include CoreSite at 70 Innerbelt and the Markley Bldg at 1 Summer Street
Unique, direct northern routing via New Hampshire and Vermont from Boston to Albany
Heading south, the route connects via Orangeburg, NY (1547 Realty) and continues to Secaucus (Equinix NY5), completely bypassing Manhattan
Multiple additional Metro locations seamlessly accessed via metro network extensions in NJ
Open Optical Line system supporting C+L Band and multi-vendor 400G wave capability including Bright 400G-ZR+ disaggregated optics

“Our new high-capacity DWDM transmission route will provide the diverse, trans-Atlantic connectivity into Europe that is needed by the financial services sectors and other companies densely concentrated in the Northeastern US,” said Art Kazmierczak, Director Business and Network Development, Arelion. “Through this organic network expansion, Arelion further establishes itself as one of the few operators to own end-to-end network solutions and customer experiences in both the US and Europe. This new route furthers our vision of diverse, high-capacity global connectivity that boosts business growth in markets that rely on uninterrupted, long-haul transport of high traffic volumes.”

We will be talking more about connectivity between Europe and the US at Submarine Networks EMEA – 31st May – 1st June 2023, Business Design Centre, London

 

The post Arelion adds new Northeastern US route to Europe first appeared on Total Telecom.

PRESS RELEASE

In response to growing demand for digital services from service providers (SPs) and their customers alike, telecom software provider and eSIM as a Service pioneer, Mobilise, has launched its eSIM software development kit — SDK. The SDK allows SPs to offer global connectivity to customers from within their existing application, including an in-app eSIM activation capability.

Supporting both iOS and Android applications, SDK allows SPs to offer connectivity services via their existing app in an instant, including 4G data connectivity and automatic Access Point Name (APN) settings, with 5G connectivity in development for launch. The kit also features account management tools that give customers full transparency and control of their mobile subscription, with instant visibility of bundle usage, payment and auto-renewal features.

There’s no customisation required — SDK grants SPs access to APIs that support on-device telephony service management, authentication and provisioning, enabling a plug and play solution, reducing the integration effort from months to days. The SDK comes with ongoing support and development from Mobilise’s team of telecoms and software experts, whenever required.

One of SDK’s flagship modules is for eSIM, which allows SPs to launch an in-app eSIM activation capability without the overhead of eSIM integration. Many existing eSIM solutions require QR code activation. While these solutions work, they are clunky and require customers to have two devices available to activate their SIM profile. Opting for in-app activation offers a great and seamless customer experience (CX).

Delivering a digital-first CX has never been more crucial. EY’s report Digital transformation for 2020 and beyond revealed that the three strategic focus areas that most telecoms players were prioritising that year were digital business models, customer experience, and control of cost and business efficiencies.

However, implementing new technology to ensure focus remains on these areas is challenging. With SDK, the headache of development, maintenance and compliance is taken care of, and SPs are able to channel their efforts into ensuring a positive impact from digitalisation, rather than just trying to ensure successful implementation.

“While consumer eSIM technology has been around for a while, it’s recently gained more traction, thanks to announcements like Apple’s decision to make the new iPhone 14 eSIM only in the US,” explained Hamish White, CEO of Mobilise. “As such, SPs are left with no choice but to add eSIM capabilities to their roster if they’re to keep up with the digital switchover. With SDK, SPs can integrate eSIM capabilities into their existing application instantly.

“SDK isn’t just suitable for telecoms SPs in the original sense, however. There’s also scope for use cases across finance, where SPs can embed connectivity within an existing app to enable their customers to access financial services at any time from anywhere, and in the travel sector, where it enables companies to offer data bundles as part of their core service package to keep customers connected wherever they go.

“Regardless of the industry, customers and their expectations are getting more and more demanding, and challenging, to meet. SDK’s modular architecture and ability to drop new features into existing apps allows SPs to add new service offerings simply and quickly, constantly improving CX without the lengthy and costly challenge of developing new features in house.”

The post Mobilise launches its “drop-in” eSIM solution for service providers first appeared on Total Telecom.