Scottish rocket company to clean up space debris from 2023 February 4, 2021 The UK could become a world leader in tackling space debris after successful trials of a ‘space tug’ align with a new UN space initiative, the Scottish rocket company behind the development said today. Skyrora said that its orbit transfer vehicle, part of its Skyrora XL rocket, could clear debris, reposition satellites and remove redundant [...]
Ofcom revokes Chinese broadcaster CGTN’s UK licence February 4, 2021 The media regulator has withdrawn China’s state-owned broadcaster right to broadcast in the UK following an investigation. Ofcom said the owner of China Global Television Network (CGTN) does not have control over its day to day output and is a distributor rather than a provider. Star China Media Limited “did not have editorial responsibility for [...]
Nokia growth knocked by losing part of Verizon 5G contract February 4, 2021 Growth at Nokia has been impacted by the firm losing part of the Verizon 5G contract in the United States to Samsung. Nokia’s new CEO Pekka Lundmark said in October that Nokia would do “whatever it takes” to take the lead in 5G. While both Nokia and its Nordic rival Ericsson have been gaining 5G customers [...]
Why Test cricket is back on Channel 4 and what it means for the future of sport on terrestrial TV February 2, 2021 For the first time since the heady 2005 Ashes series, Test cricket is returning to British terrestrial television. Channel 4 has bought the rights to show England’s tour of India, which begins on Friday in Chennai. But why is cricket back on a free-to-air broadcaster? Who stands to gain? And what does this mean for [...]
BT in talks with Oneweb over satellite broadband rollout February 2, 2021 BT is in discussions over the potential use of Oneweb satellites to help roll out broadband to the most remote parts of the UK. The telecoms giant is in early stage talks to explore how satellite constellations could be used to beam internet services to rural areas that are too difficult or expensive to reach [...]
The week ahead, 1-5 February: FTSE heavyweights front up to third lockdown January 31, 2021 After a turbulent opening to 2021, with new Covid-19 lockdowns around the world, spats over “vaccine nationalism”, and chaos on both Wall Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, a slew of FTSE heavyweights are set to update the market in what will be a crunch week for London’s indices. Despite a strong opening week, the FTSE 100 [...]
Mobile networks to tackle rural not-spots with mast building plan January 27, 2021 Mobile networks O2, Vodafone and Three are teaming up to build hundreds of new masts as part of a push to tackle so-called signal not-spots in rural areas. The companies will build and share 222 mobile masts in an effort to improve 4G coverage across the UK. In total 124 sites will be built in [...]
Chorley FC, Marine AFC and the true value of a fairytale FA Cup run to non-league football clubs January 22, 2021 When Chorley FC take on Wolves in the FA Cup tonight, there will be more at stake for the non-league club from Lancashire than a place in the fifth round. If Chorley manage another upset against their Premier League opponents, they will earn £175,000 from broadcast payments and the FA’s prize fund alone. Chorley’s FA [...]
Outgoing Trump official warns of China telecoms threat January 21, 2021 A top official in the departing Trump administration has issued a stark warning over the threat of Chinese espionage to US telecoms networks and internet freedom. Ajit Pai, who stepped down as chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) this week, said Beijing-backed spying was the biggest threat to national security facing regulators over the [...]
Johnson to discuss ‘Singapore of Europe’ plans with business leaders January 18, 2021 Boris Johnson will hold talks with business leaders today about cutting red tape, as ministers draw up plans to turn Britain into the “Singapore of Europe” now it has left the EU. The Prime Minister will speak to 30 senior leaders about “regulatory freedom” and reforming EU rules, The Times reported today. Leaders from BP, [...]